# Pollen sacs (balls) at nodes of a female plant: likely causes and fixes

> Pollen sacs (balls) at nodes of a female plant on cannabis is most often Hermaphrodite (herm-prone genetics revealed by stress) or Light leak or interrupted dark period. How to tell them apart, the fix for each and what recovery looks like.

Also called: balls on my female, pollen sacs, male flowers on female, hermie balls.

Run the checker with this sign: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/diagnose/?at=buds&s=pollen-sacs

## Likely causes, most likely first

### Hermaphrodite (herm-prone genetics revealed by stress) (Possible)

- Kind: Genetics; urgency: Act within a day or two
- Fix: Fix light leaks and stress, but treat the plant as defective genetics: remove it if it sheds pollen, never keep it as a mother and never breed from it. Late-flower bananas are not normal. A few early anthers can be picked off to save the crop, then check twice a week.
- Recovery: No new anthers on twice-weekly checks; unaffected plants stay seed-free.
- Confirm: Inspect buds and nodes for anthers and pollen sacs: From week 2 of flower, check nodes and buds with a 10x loupe twice a week. Look for pollen sacs on stalks at nodes and pale-yellow banana-shaped anthers among the pistils. Mark and photograph what you find; check the whole plant, not one bud.
- Confirm: Check for light leaks in the dark period: Sit inside the tent or room for 5 minutes after lights-off until your eyes adjust. Look for pinholes, zips, vents, indicator LEDs on equipment and light under doors. Also confirm the timer actually switches off and stays off.
- Article: [Hermaphrodite cannabis (bananas and nanners): what to do](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/diagnosis/hermaphrodites.md)

### Light leak or interrupted dark period (Possible)

- Kind: Light; urgency: Act within a day or two
- Fix: Seal the dark period: pinholes, zips, vents and equipment LEDs (tape them), and check the timer. Even dim night light can delay flowering in sensitive cultivars and reveal herm-prone genetics. Use a green headlamp only for brief checks.
- Recovery: Flowering resumes within 1-2 weeks; no new single-blade leaves.
- Confirm: Check for light leaks in the dark period: Sit inside the tent or room for 5 minutes after lights-off until your eyes adjust. Look for pinholes, zips, vents, indicator LEDs on equipment and light under doors. Also confirm the timer actually switches off and stays off.
- Article: [Photoperiod and light leaks: 18/6, 12/12 and the dark period](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/environment/photoperiod-light-leaks.md)

## Note

Guidance, not a guarantee. The checker weighs common causes against what you tell it; confirm with the tests before you treat, change one thing at a time and watch the new growth.