Pistil
Pistils are the reproductive organs of female cannabis plants, and play a crucial role in the plant's reproductive cycle. Each pistil consists of a stigma, style, and ovary. The stigma, typically hair-like and often vibrant in colour, is responsible for catching pollen from male plants. This pollen travels down the style to fertilise the ovary, which contains the female plant's genetic material. Once this process is complete, a seed will develop holding the genetic makeup of both the male and female plants.
The pistil is the name given to the reproductive parts of female plants. Made up of three main components (called the ovary, the style and the stigmas) the pistil is responsible for producing a cannabis seed after its stigmas have collected pollen from male cannabis plants. In recreational cannabis cultivation, the terms pistil and stigma are often used interchangeably, although technically, the pistil refers to the entire structure while the stigma is just the hair-like growth.
Can you see the pistils on dried medical cannabis flower?
Yes, pistils can still be visible on dried medical cannabis flower.
They also serve as the first visual indicators of the plant's sex, then maturity and readiness for harvest. Only female plants produce pistils, while male plants will have small sacs instead. Once the flowers are harvested, dried, cured, and sent to the patient the pistils may appear to be slightly shrivelled or discoloured compared to fresh flowers, but that is not a sign of poor quality.
Can the state of the pistils fully determine when the plant should be harvested?
No, while they do serve as a great initial indicator that the plant is coming to the end of its life cycle, they cannot solely determine when the plant should be harvested. The only way to really know when a plant is ready for harvest is to monitor the trichomes, which are tiny resin glands that produce cannabinoids and terpenes. These begin clear, but slowly change to 'cloudy' or 'milky', and then amber.
Is it safe to vaporise pistils as part of medical cannabis treatment?
Yes, as long as the medical cannabis has been prescribed by a specialist listed on the General Medical Council register. The pistils, along with the rest of the female flower, may contain high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes, so it is essential to follow the dosage and usage guidelines provided by the prescribing doctor.
To find out more about pistils click here
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