Can anyone please explain to me in detail what calyx development is, and maybe include some pictures?

The calyx is the raised knob located at each node. It swells up and ultimately is responsible for the bud sites that come later in the plant's development. Marijuana Botany Chapter 1 - Sinsemilla Life Cycle of Cannabis Good info on calyx development in both male and female plants here. As far as pictures go...

Awesome post donnieosmond! too bad the rep isn't working.

Thanks bud. No problem. My rep is helpin' someone out.

i'll add to it anyway - at least you can see it

Thank you very much for the information.

I have another question, if anyone is willing to answer..

I've got a plant growing indoors in a closet setup with a light cycle of 18/6. Will preflowering (the calyxs (sp)) appear even if I keep to a constant 18/6? I want to know absolutely for sure before I change the light cycle to 12/12 to induce flowering.

You'll get preflowers during vegetative but often you can't tell sex for sure until well into flowering.

I understand that. I wasn't really sure about this process and this has cleared things up. I'll just have to keep my eyes open as my plant continues in its vegetative stage @ 18/6. This has helped me out a bit, even if it may be common knowledge to you.

This is my first time growing. I don't care if it is a male or female, well obviously I want it to be female.. anyways this is just for growing experience, and if all goes well I may have some smokable herb on my hands.

Again, thanks. I appreciate it.

You can always tell sex from preflowers unless your plant is hermie...but if you know you have normal unsexed seeds you can always tell sex from preflowers in my experience...I have been wrong 1 time on 40 plants and that was because it was a hermie. You just have to be patient...alot of times the females pistils won't come out right when the preflower shows, it may take a few days...and the males are very easy to spot once you get the hang of it...most strains have a tiny claw...at least that is what it resembles...almost similar to the way new leaves look on the plant before they open and spread out but much smaller. Usually the preflowers appear on the 4th-6th internode, and sometimes on more than one internode. Anyway have fun

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does a calyx only appear on a female plant?