Nanners
Definition: Nanners is the grower nickname for exposed male anthers, small yellow or pale green banana-shaped structures that can appear inside or between female cannabis buds. They are a form of hermaphroditism and can shed pollen almost immediately, which may seed the surrounding flowers if they are not dealt with quickly.
How Nanners works
Unlike the round pollen sacs of a male plant, which need time to swell and open, nanners are already exposed. That makes them easy to miss and quick to cause trouble.
How to recognize them
- Small, curved structures roughly 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, shaped like tiny bananas.
- Yellow, lime green, or cream colored, standing out against white or orange pistils.
- Usually poking out from the bud surface, often near the top colas.
When they appear
Nanners most often show up in mid to late flower, around weeks 5 to 8. Stress is the usual trigger: a light leak, heat, or a plant left growing well beyond peak ripeness. Some genetics are simply more prone to them.
Handling them
- Lightly mist the area with plain water first, which helps keep pollen from drifting.
- Pluck each nanner with clean tweezers and drop it into a damp paper towel.
- Recheck the plant daily for at least a week; where there’s one, more usually follow.
Is the harvest ruined?
Usually not. A few stray nanners might produce a handful of seeds, which can be removed when you trim. If they are appearing across many colas and the plant is close to its harvest window, harvesting a little early can limit the damage. Nanners are a variety of hermaphrodite behavior, so it’s worth noting which strain and conditions produced them before you run that plant again.