The occurrence of seed development within a female plant, typically observed in dioecious species like cannabis, indicates pollination has occurred. This process involves the transfer of pollen from a male plant to the pistil of the female flower, leading to fertilization of the ovules and subsequent seed formation. For example, if a grower cultivating female cannabis plants finds seeds present in the harvested buds, it signifies that the plants were exposed to pollen.
Understanding the cause of seed production in female plants is important for cultivators aiming to produce seedless flowers (sinsemilla), as seeds diminish the quality and potency of the harvest. Historically, avoiding pollination has been a key objective in cannabis cultivation for recreational and medicinal purposes, as unpollinated female flowers are richer in cannabinoids. The presence of seeds can also negatively impact the taste and texture of the final product.
