Plant Showing Sex While in Vegetation?

My Papaya plant just turned 6 weeks old and I just noticed today, the little white pistols coming out at the nodes. She's been on an 18 and 6 photoperiod here whole life. I haven't been able to find much info on this topic but is it natural for plants to show their sex during the later stages of vegetation before they even move to a 12/12 ?

yes its very natural, most plants can be sexed after 4 weeks veg, what our seeing are called pre-flowers

Thanks!! I'm thinking about 1 more week and I'm going to start flowering, that'll be 7 weeks total from seed. Should I go longer or would this be ok? She has a huge main stem and can easily support big buds! I'll post pics soon!

Hey man I have papaya growing as well and it is about the same age. Mine also showed pre flowers before I switched it to flower. As soon as I seen them I switched her to 12 12. Any ways you can check her out if ya want she is in my signature.