Last 6 crops have hermed, but why?

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Tylerface420

Tylerface420

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Did you ever figure it out ? I have been growing for 15 years and at my current spot for about 4. My 2 rooms at this spot are identical and each have 50 lights. I have had flawless harvest round after round but 8 months ago that all changed. I run around 30 different strains on rotation and almost every strain started seeding early on. These are strains that I have grown for years in these same rooms and just all of a sudden they started herming from the beginning. I have tried everything and even stopped for a month to redo and beach everything and I'm at week 3 of flower and they are all herming again. Trying to see if you ever found a cure or if anyone else has any ideas, thanks
 
ImpulsiveGrower

ImpulsiveGrower

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Just finding a ball or two (definitely not calyxes) amongst most of the female flowers. Inside the balls are like bananas. I've found a couple that clearly have pollen inside. I've been going in there every night and picking them off as I see them as I absolutely cannot afford to throw the whole crop out.

Absolutely nothing giving off IR. The heater in there is one of those flat, see-through things, can't remember the name of them. The door and the entire room is properly sealed, and there's no kind of equipment in there giving off any light (other than the actual lights 😁). I've actually stood in there before for 20 minutes out of desperation just to check.

I'd have bet anything it was a genetic thing after the first 2 herm crops as it seemed like too much of a coincidence they hermed after getting seeds from a new place, but now I'm just convinced something else is going on. But you're right, it's a real stumper and we're just baffled as to what's causing it.

My lights come on in about half an hour, so when I go in to check, I'll see if I can find any more and get a picture of them.
Are your lights coming on for some reason during the dark period? Timer malfunction? Idk man I would be so taken back if I had 6 crops in a row herm. For me that’s over a year or so of growing there must be something stupid causing this bc that’s unheard of especially if your an experienced grower… good luck
 
Tylerface420

Tylerface420

3
3
Hi guys, I'm hoping to get some help as to why my crops keep herming.

I've been growing for around 10 years, aside from the first couple of grows I have never faced any herm issues until 6 crops ago where they all hermed. I've always bought my seeds from Royal Queen which have been amazing, until issues arised and I had to buy seeds elsewhere. Anyway, they turned out shit and all hermed. Next crop, same seeds, another load of herms. Assumed it was down to shitty genetics, so I trashed the remaining seeds and bought from RQ again. Started a new crop with the RQ seeds, majority of which turned hermy. Crop 4, from Barneys Farm, majority also hermed. Crop 5 (RQ again), yeah you guessed it, almost all of them hermed. Current crop (Barneys), 12/16 plants have just started to herm 2 weeks into flowering. Each crop has always been around 16 plants over the past 10 years. Strain used is usually Critical.

Routine is as follows:

  • Seeds into root riot cubes, then into a grow tent with the temperature at around 25C.

  • After germination, they go into 4" pots with Biobizz light mix under a 250cfl light. Temperature 24-25C (20-21C with lights off) humidity at 68%. They are topped (once) when they get their 5th set of leaves. They are fed water (pH @ 6.0, checked every single time) for around a week when needed. 18-6 light schedule.

  • After around 4-5 weeks, they're moved into 22 litre pots with more Biobizz light mix and put into a tent with 4x 600W HPS lights (only 2 are switched on at this point). Temperature at 26C (20-21C with lights off), humidity at 50%. Stay on an 18-6 schedule until the plants reach around 35 centimetres. Fan circling air around, but not touching the plants directly.

  • After getting to that size, they're spread out more and the other 2 lights turned on (4 plants per light). Switch to a 12-12 schedule. Humidity at 50%, temperature at 26-27C (20-21C with lights off). Fan circling air around, but not touching the plants directly.

Feed schedule:
I use this schedule from BioBizz. Exceptions being I don't bother with the Heaven, and I use Grow instead of Fish-Mix. Calcium additive added as per the dosage on the bottle. pH is at 6.2 (using pH up or down to achieve this) and is checked every single feed religiously. They have around 10 litres between them all, sometimes a little more if necessary. If they don't need feeding, they're left to be checked the following day. I don't feed until there's runoff (as is stated on the feed schedule I linked, and tbh it's something I've never done anyway).

I've checked for light leaks many many times and there's nothing at all, it's 100% pitch black. Air circulating via a 6" inlet and outlet. They have never shown any symptoms of light/heat stress. The temperature/humidity is checked multiple times a day. The temp/humid sensor is positioned at the canopy of the tallest plant, and there is one at either end of the room.

Sorry, this was long af, I just wanted to get as much detail in as possible and hopefully saved from another miserable, stressful crop.

Thanks, T3ddy
Let me know if you figured it out because I'm going crazy dealing with the same shit. About to have to sell my house because this crap and I use trusted clones that I have had around for a long time. Just one day my main spot started doing this yet if I put the same strains at my smaller spot they don't. I don't have light leaks or any of the issues people have mentioned. It's like the plants are starting out hermed and not acquiring male traits part way through flowering. This is my most recent crop that is a couple weeks in.
 
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Tylerface420

Tylerface420

3
3
Clones. From a buddy.
I make all my own clones and have had same strains for a while with no issues. I have been dealing with this for a while and also no another grower that had this happen with no explanation too. I'm wondering where OP is located and if it's something in the region because I'm out of ideas. My plants are always healthy with no stress
 
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JSH1973

JSH1973

Supporter
1,027
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All 6 crops from the different places you mentioned, impossible to believe it would be bad Genetics in my opinion, it almost sound like you have Colloidal Silver type stuff in the water used if that is somehow possible.
 
Mrb53

Mrb53

219
63
look at this from a statistical standpoint and do process of elimination. Usually the most obvious is the root of the problem
Why do plants hermie
aside from poor genetics (and this many genetic anomalies is way above average)
A) light and heat - major cause of hermie
B) Stress - especially in autos
C) NUTRIENTS - excess nutrients can cause hermies
So, how is light / heat schedule..temps/rh ..looks ok so cross off the list
stress...unless you are manhandling them more than before...another one bites the dust
nutes---look deeper...has soil mix changed, different (new/old (maybe too old) nutes), Ph...in/out
silver contamination...I doubt it unless you are playing with chemicals...are you developing photos? Is the ventilation different (air contamination..)
eventually you run out of options as to the culprit but alternatively, prominent possible causes rise to the top...then address them one at a time
 
RealizedReal000

RealizedReal000

630
93
Hi guys, I'm hoping to get some help as to why my crops keep herming.

I've been growing for around 10 years, aside from the first couple of grows I have never faced any herm issues until 6 crops ago where they all hermed. I've always bought my seeds from Royal Queen which have been amazing, until issues arised and I had to buy seeds elsewhere. Anyway, they turned out shit and all hermed. Next crop, same seeds, another load of herms. Assumed it was down to shitty genetics, so I trashed the remaining seeds and bought from RQ again. Started a new crop with the RQ seeds, majority of which turned hermy. Crop 4, from Barneys Farm, majority also hermed. Crop 5 (RQ again), yeah you guessed it, almost all of them hermed. Current crop (Barneys), 12/16 plants have just started to herm 2 weeks into flowering. Each crop has always been around 16 plants over the past 10 years. Strain used is usually Critical.

Routine is as follows:

  • Seeds into root riot cubes, then into a grow tent with the temperature at around 25C.

  • After germination, they go into 4" pots with Biobizz light mix under a 250cfl light. Temperature 24-25C (20-21C with lights off) humidity at 68%. They are topped (once) when they get their 5th set of leaves. They are fed water (pH @ 6.0, checked every single time) for around a week when needed. 18-6 light schedule.

  • After around 4-5 weeks, they're moved into 22 litre pots with more Biobizz light mix and put into a tent with 4x 600W HPS lights (only 2 are switched on at this point). Temperature at 26C (20-21C with lights off), humidity at 50%. Stay on an 18-6 schedule until the plants reach around 35 centimetres. Fan circling air around, but not touching the plants directly.

  • After getting to that size, they're spread out more and the other 2 lights turned on (4 plants per light). Switch to a 12-12 schedule. Humidity at 50%, temperature at 26-27C (20-21C with lights off). Fan circling air around, but not touching the plants directly.

Feed schedule:
I use this schedule from BioBizz. Exceptions being I don't bother with the Heaven, and I use Grow instead of Fish-Mix. Calcium additive added as per the dosage on the bottle. pH is at 6.2 (using pH up or down to achieve this) and is checked every single feed religiously. They have around 10 litres between them all, sometimes a little more if necessary. If they don't need feeding, they're left to be checked the following day. I don't feed until there's runoff (as is stated on the feed schedule I linked, and tbh it's something I've never done anyway).

I've checked for light leaks many many times and there's nothing at all, it's 100% pitch black. Air circulating via a 6" inlet and outlet. They have never shown any symptoms of light/heat stress. The temperature/humidity is checked multiple times a day. The temp/humid sensor is positioned at the canopy of the tallest plant, and there is one at either end of the room.

Sorry, this was long af, I just wanted to get as much detail in as possible and hopefully saved from another miserable, stressful crop.

Thanks, T3ddy
Are you interrupting the dark period at all? Even a phone light or even a light on any button in the tent can do it. If it’s light out don’t even go in there. That tent probably has a light leak. That many different genetics don’t herm that much. If it’s stress related I would figure out why. But it’s usually cause of light leaks and interruption to the dark cycle.
 
Dirtbag

Dirtbag

Supporter
9,158
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All 6 crops from the different places you mentioned, impossible to believe it would be bad Genetics in my opinion, it almost sound like you have Colloidal Silver type stuff in the water used if that is somehow possible.
I'd be suspicious of this too. It can happen where silver winds up in water, from silver soldered pipes leaching, or some water filters contain silver.
 
Last edited:
Rooke

Rooke

1,342
263
Do you take pictures of your plants with a flash during lights out? Try going into your room just before lights off with your lights in adjacent rooms all on. Sit in there for 30 min and see if there’s anything you missed the last time you checked it? Just throwing it out there. Best of luck 🤞
 
GrowHobo

GrowHobo

1,100
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Silver Sabotage sounds like a band name lol. That would be a crazy dick move surely no one is sneakin in and blasting his plants with silver? Do you have security cam? One less thing to worry about.
 
Beach_Bum

Beach_Bum

114
43
Hi guys, I'm hoping to get some help as to why my crops keep herming.

I've been growing for around 10 years, aside from the first couple of grows I have never faced any herm issues until 6 crops ago where they all hermed. I've always bought my seeds from Royal Queen which have been amazing, until issues arised and I had to buy seeds elsewhere. Anyway, they turned out shit and all hermed. Next crop, same seeds, another load of herms. Assumed it was down to shitty genetics, so I trashed the remaining seeds and bought from RQ again. Started a new crop with the RQ seeds, majority of which turned hermy. Crop 4, from Barneys Farm, majority also hermed. Crop 5 (RQ again), yeah you guessed it, almost all of them hermed. Current crop (Barneys), 12/16 plants have just started to herm 2 weeks into flowering. Each crop has always been around 16 plants over the past 10 years. Strain used is usually Critical.

Routine is as follows:

  • Seeds into root riot cubes, then into a grow tent with the temperature at around 25C.

  • After germination, they go into 4" pots with Biobizz light mix under a 250cfl light. Temperature 24-25C (20-21C with lights off) humidity at 68%. They are topped (once) when they get their 5th set of leaves. They are fed water (pH @ 6.0, checked every single time) for around a week when needed. 18-6 light schedule.

  • After around 4-5 weeks, they're moved into 22 litre pots with more Biobizz light mix and put into a tent with 4x 600W HPS lights (only 2 are switched on at this point). Temperature at 26C (20-21C with lights off), humidity at 50%. Stay on an 18-6 schedule until the plants reach around 35 centimetres. Fan circling air around, but not touching the plants directly

  • After getting to that size, they're spread out more and the other 2 lights turned on (4 plants per light). Switch to a 12-12 schedule. Humidity at 50%, temperature at 26-27C (20-21C with lights off). Fan circling air around, but not touching the plants directly.

Feed schedule:
I use this schedule from BioBizz. Exceptions being I don't bother with the Heaven, and I use Grow instead of Fish-Mix. Calcium additive added as per the dosage on the bottle. pH is at 6.2 (using pH up or down to achieve this) and is checked every single feed religiously. They have around 10 litres between them all, sometimes a little more if necessary. If they don't need feeding, they're left to be checked the following day. I don't feed until there's runoff (as is stated on the feed schedule I linked, and tbh it's something I've never done anyway).

I've checked for light leaks many many times and there's nothing at all, it's 100% pitch black. Air circulating via a 6" inlet and outlet. They have never shown any symptoms of light/heat stress. The temperature/humidity is checked multiple times a day. The temp/humid sensor is positioned at the canopy of the tallest plant, and there is one at either end of the room.

Sorry, this was long af, I just wanted to get as much detail in as possible and hopefully saved from another miserable, stressful crop.

Thanks, T3ddy
Possible all these seed sellers are sourcing that strain your buying from the same seed grower? You were saying you bought the same strain. You might try asking the seed sellers where they got them from. And if they are not the same, where did they get the seeds from. This is assuming they would tell you, but it may have all been coming from the same source. Try a different strain to test it out.
 
Last edited:
J

Jay87

30
18
Hi guys, I'm hoping to get some help as to why my crops keep herming.

I've been growing for around 10 years, aside from the first couple of grows I have never faced any herm issues until 6 crops ago where they all hermed. I've always bought my seeds from Royal Queen which have been amazing, until issues arised and I had to buy seeds elsewhere. Anyway, they turned out shit and all hermed. Next crop, same seeds, another load of herms. Assumed it was down to shitty genetics, so I trashed the remaining seeds and bought from RQ again. Started a new crop with the RQ seeds, majority of which turned hermy. Crop 4, from Barneys Farm, majority also hermed. Crop 5 (RQ again), yeah you guessed it, almost all of them hermed. Current crop (Barneys), 12/16 plants have just started to herm 2 weeks into flowering. Each crop has always been around 16 plants over the past 10 years. Strain used is usually Critical.

Routine is as follows:

  • Seeds into root riot cubes, then into a grow tent with the temperature at around 25C.

  • After germination, they go into 4" pots with Biobizz light mix under a 250cfl light. Temperature 24-25C (20-21C with lights off) humidity at 68%. They are topped (once) when they get their 5th set of leaves. They are fed water (pH @ 6.0, checked every single time) for around a week when needed. 18-6 light schedule.

  • After around 4-5 weeks, they're moved into 22 litre pots with more Biobizz light mix and put into a tent with 4x 600W HPS lights (only 2 are switched on at this point). Temperature at 26C (20-21C with lights off), humidity at 50%. Stay on an 18-6 schedule until the plants reach around 35 centimetres. Fan circling air around, but not touching the plants directly.

  • After getting to that size, they're spread out more and the other 2 lights turned on (4 plants per light). Switch to a 12-12 schedule. Humidity at 50%, temperature at 26-27C (20-21C with lights off). Fan circling air around, but not touching the plants directly.

Feed schedule:
I use this schedule from BioBizz. Exceptions being I don't bother with the Heaven, and I use Grow instead of Fish-Mix. Calcium additive added as per the dosage on the bottle. pH is at 6.2 (using pH up or down to achieve this) and is checked every single feed religiously. They have around 10 litres between them all, sometimes a little more if necessary. If they don't need feeding, they're left to be checked the following day. I don't feed until there's runoff (as is stated on the feed schedule I linked, and tbh it's something I've never done anyway).

I've checked for light leaks many many times and there's nothing at all, it's 100% pitch black. Air circulating via a 6" inlet and outlet. They have never shown any symptoms of light/heat stress. The temperature/humidity is checked multiple times a day. The temp/humid sensor is positioned at the canopy of the tallest plant, and there is one at either end of the room.

Sorry, this was long af, I just wanted to get as much detail in as possible and hopefully saved from another miserable, stressful crop.

Thanks, T3ddy
Bro I feel your pain man. Same exact thing happening to me. It’s driving me crazy. I’m very experienced to. Get great yeilds and healthy plants always. Then all of a sudden in a new spot Iv suffered with Hermies. I’m about to give up. Iv checked everything. I mean everything. No light leaks. It has to be genetics. I used to use clones, but they hard to get hold of decent ones now, so changed to seeds and it’s been an absolute nightmare. Using good banks to. Recent are banana kidh from Msnl. They have all gone to shit. Always seems to happen on week 4/5 flower. Did you manage to find out what yours was. Iv seen lots of other people having the same problem. Somethings going on, I personally think they are putting shit in the water to stop so many people doing it. 🤬🤬🤯🤯
 
Anthem

Anthem

4,155
263
Bro I feel your pain man. Same exact thing happening to me. It’s driving me crazy. I’m very experienced to. Get great yeilds and healthy plants always. Then all of a sudden in a new spot Iv suffered with Hermies. I’m about to give up. Iv checked everything. I mean everything. No light leaks. It has to be genetics. I used to use clones, but they hard to get hold of decent ones now, so changed to seeds and it’s been an absolute nightmare. Using good banks to. Recent are banana kidh from Msnl. They have all gone to shit. Always seems to happen on week 4/5 flower. Did you manage to find out what yours was. Iv seen lots of other people having the same problem. Somethings going on, I personally think they are putting shit in the water to stop so many people doing it. 🤬🤬🤯🤯
Are you using straight Tap water?
 
dieselgirl

dieselgirl

5
3
Ok I'm seriously invested in this thread. I've had the same issue after growing for 10 plus years never a hermie and now I expect and plan for them every round. I thought maybe the green light..stopped using it, green light from co2 monitor...covered it. Maybe Bad genetics?. Possibly but know others who source the same clones and have no issues. Everything is dialed. No idea wtf. If anyone knows....please send help....
 
J

Jay87

30
18
Ok I'm seriously invested in this thread. I've had the same issue after growing for 10 plus years never a hermie and now I expect and plan for them every round. I thought maybe the green light..stopped using it, green light from co2 monitor...covered it. Maybe Bad genetics?. Possibly but know others who source the same clones and have no issues. Everything is dialed. No idea wtf. If anyone knows....please send help....
It’s exactly the same for me. I have over half of my plants doing it. But weird hermies. No pollen sacks. They still look female but do some weird like single finger splitting off. The ones that are ok are great. Exactly what I’m used to getting. Big nugs.

what nutrients are you using? Are you hard water? I’m narrowing everything down. I’m now switching to hard water nutrients. I’m using a company where I send a water sample and they tailor make to suit my water. I am also going to run led for my next run.

are you getting deficiency’s? Because I was due to the hard water which caused a lot of stress, which im putting down to causing the hermies. 😩🤬
 
J

Jay87

30
18
It’s exactly the same for me. I have over half of my plants doing it. But weird hermies. No pollen sacks. They still look female but do some weird like single finger splitting off. The ones that are ok are great. Exactly what I’m used to getting. Big nugs.

what nutrients are you using? Are you hard water? I’m narrowing everything down. I’m now switching to hard water nutrients. I’m using a company where I send a water sample and they tailor make to suit my water. I am also going to run led for my next run.

are you getting deficiency’s? Because I was due to the hard water which caused a lot of stress, which im putting down to causing the hermies. 😩🤬
4C13DB4F 8CC2 4058 B755 C59B2F3B1B17
 

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