What are cannabis ‘nanners’ (or bananas) and how to prevent them

There are many challenges and surprises in the fabulous world of cannabis growing; and one of them is the appearance of ‘nanners’ in the buds, which is something that can cause a lot of grief to growers. These small banana-shaped structures can be somewhat enigmatic. There’s no reason to worry, though, because this comprehensive guide explains everything there is to know about them, from how they occur, and their effects, through to prevention strategies and options for what to do.

‘Nanners’ is a slang term in the cannabis world that refers to the small male reproductive structures that sometimes appear on the buds of the plants. These pollen containers have a long, curved shape reminiscent of a miniature banana; hence the association with the word ‘nanners’, which is a colloquial term and abbreviated form of ‘banana’ in English.

These are actually stamens, the inner parts of the male cannabis inflorescence that contain the pollen that fertilises the female plants. These stamens are hidden within the male flowers; and, when the flower opens, once the pollen is ripe, they are visible inside.

In a normal situation, these stamens are non-existent because most of the cannabis plants that are grown nowadays are female and produce buds. Therefore, their appearance in strains assumed to be female may indicate intersex or hermaphrodite traits, i.e., the presence of male and female reproductive organs.

Once the buds appear, these ‘nanners’ or bananas don’t need to be opened to let the pollen out, as it is directly exposed to the flowers and can pollinate them to produce seeds instead of a cannabinoid-rich harvest. Therefore, this means that their appearance is highly undesirable for most growers.

How to detect ‘nanners’ in cannabis plants

Detecting nanners or bananas is vitally important if you want to preserve the quality of your seedless buds. Here are some key indicators on how to do this.

Apart from being banana-shaped structures, they usually emerge from the nodes or flower bracts, with their colour varying from lime green to pale yellow. They can be seen either alone or in groups; and needless to say that the banana clusters are more dangerous when it comes to pollinating the buds.

The presence of nanners can alter the appearance and development of the buds, which may grow abnormally large or become thin, small, and less dense. Make sure you use a magnifying glass because nanners can be minute. But if you spot a bright green banana-shaped structure, it is most probably a nanner, so you’ll have to take prompt action.

What causes bananas in cannabis plants?

One of the factors for their appearance is genetics, since some varieties are more likely to develop them than others. Breeders often try to improve and stabilise certain traits, such as THC levels or specific flavours, by selecting plants so that they are consistent and stable for future generations. But sometimes they can inadvertently cross plants that are prone to producing nanners. Suffice to say that you will rarely see nanners if you buy seeds from a reliable seed bank like Kannabia.

In addition to genetic instability, plants can also produce nanners due to mutations caused by stress and aggressive breeding methods. These mutations can alter the genetic composition of plants, finally resulting in the formation of nanners.

Sometimes, female plants can also produce bananas for other reasons. For instance, if you let them continue to grow even after the buds have ripened, but you don’t harvest them, they will produce bananas as a last resort to self-pollinate and produce seeds. This process is known as ‘rodelisation’.

Nonetheless, the chances of nanners appearing due to genetics are lower than the chances of being caused by other factors that produce different types of stress:

Unsuitable light programmes

Feminised plants require consistent light cycles to synchronise their physiological functions and promote the development of buds. Any disturbance, such as a light leak or any interruption during this delicate flowering phase, can confuse the internal clock of the plants and alter their balance. This translates into a lot of stress, which can make the plants start to produce nanners as a defence mechanism.

Too bright or too intense light, or even light that’s too close to the canopy, can also cause nanners to develop, as light stress can disrupt the intricate hormonal balance that regulates plant growth and development, which especially affects phytohormones such as auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins.

Extreme temperatures

When cannabis plants are exposed to extremely high or extremely low temperatures, they may be unable to perform important functions that are necessary for their survival. For instance, high heat alters metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and respiration, which in the long run will affect nutrient absorption and growth. In addition, excessive cold can damage the cells, alter the protein structure, and cause stress responses in the plants. This can lead to the development of nanners as a survival mechanism against these extreme temperatures, to produce pollen in a final attempt to pollinate themselves and continue their race to secure their legacy.

Water

Whether due to lack of water, over-watering, incorrect irrigation techniques, or fluctuations in soil moisture levels, plants may experience a variety of problems. This type of stress can ultimately cause plants to produce nanners as a survival mechanism. However, in most cases, plants simply die before you can identify their nanners.

Deficiencies and diseases

But these aren’t the only reasons. Female plants can also produce bananas if they suffer from issues such as root rot, pH problems, nutrient deficiencies, nutrient toxicity, overfeeding, insect infestation, mould, aggressive defoliation, or high stress training.

Hermaphrodites vs nanners

It’s important to distinguish between ‘true’ hermaphrodites and intersex hermaphrodite plants (also called bisexual or mixed) that develop nanners. ‘True’ hermaphrodite plants have male and female reproductive organs that grow separately throughout the plant. They produce both pollen sacs and flower buds. However, in plants that develop nanners, the male structures appear directly on the buds. Although both phenomena may be triggered by similar stressors, they are genetically and morphologically different.

‘True’ hermaphrodite plants usually begin to develop male and female sex organs at the same time, just as the growth stage ends and flower production starts. On the other hand, intersex plants can develop nanners at any time during the flowering phase, and are most commonly seen once the flowers have begun to fully develop.

Dealing with nanners: What to do when they occur?

As soon as nanners are discovered, there are several courses of action:

1. Manual removal: If there are only a few, they can be carefully removed to reduce the chances of pollination. Don’t worry if nanners appear during the last stage of flowering: it is not advisable to discard the plant after so many months of hard work.
2. Isolation or removal of affected plants: In severe cases, it may be necessary to isolate or completely remove the affected plant to protect the rest of the grow.
3. Early harvest: When bananas appear at an advanced stage of flowering, early harvesting can also be considered to avoid further damage. Cannabis seeds take about 15 days to form after pollination, so as long as you cut the plant just after the nanners appear, the buds should be fine, although perhaps a little smaller and less potent. But still, that’s better than nothing, right?

Conclusion: an opportunity to learn and grow

The appearance of nanners may seem daunting at first, but it also presents an opportunity to learn more about the complex nature of marijuana plants. By understanding the causes and effects of nanners, growers can improve their skills.

It is important to emphasise that the appearance of nanners is not necessarily a sign of poor growing practices. It is probably more of an indication that certain aspects of plant care or the environmental conditions need to be optimised. And, in some cases, it may simply be bad luck, especially if the cause lies in the plant’s genetic make-up.

So next time you spot nanners in your plants, take it as a chance to become a better grower. With patience, care, and constant learning, you will master the art of cannabis and take your skills to the next level. Good luck and happy growing!