One of the best things about visiting a coffee shop in Amsterdam, or a thriving social club in Barcelona is the flowers usually taste amazing. The flavor when lighting, the smoothness, and overall experience are what purveyors of the finest terpenes spend their lives searching for. How can we bring this kind of quality to the grow room? Resident grow expert, Stoney Tark investigates.
Why are terpenes so important to the cannabis taste?
Basically these are the essential oils that are present within the trichomes. When we harvest Cannabis plants and allow them to dry, the terpenes and essential oils left behind are what will determine the expression of flavor and the effect one may experience. Terpenes are responsible for all the smells you will encounter ranging in the following categories: floral, fruity, earthy, fuel, and gas.
In nature, there are believed to be over 40,000 terpenes that exist in plants and trees, and thanks to more research and analysis we are beginning to truly understand the relevance and important role terpenes play. When combined with other cannabinoids, the combination produces an entourage effect which has implications for recreational use as well as medicinal use.
Use Sugar Based Feeds to boost terpenes in a cannabis grow
Plants naturally produce sugars as a bi-product of photosynthesis, that later are sent to the root zone to stimulate microbial function and development. It is the sugars that will be converted into the carbon that feeds the beneficial fungi and bacteria that are present in the soil food web. These sugar based feeds can range from syrups, honey, and the most commonly used sugar based feed – unsulfured black strap molasses.
Top Tip: To grow tasty weed buds it is best to use unsulfured black strap molasses as it is very rich in minerals that are not present in honey.
Boost terpene profiles with beneficial microorganisms
If you have not used beneficial microorganisms inside your growing medium, then you are missing out on Nature’s little helpers. During the flowering period, these microscopic life forms will convert nutrients as the plant needs them, ensuring there is never a shortage of nutrients. Not only will they act as a bio-protector to dangerous pathogens and other diseases, they will also keep the root zone clean, healthy, and improve the final taste of your dried flowers.
Top Tip: Do not throw away your growing medium after harvest. The microbes and fungi network will be in great condition and should be reused for the next cycle.
Use aerated compost teas to grow tasty cannabis buds
This is one of the easiest ways to take your organic growing to the next level and grow tasty weed buds, as well as giving the growing medium a bio-stimulant. By aerating a nutrient solution for a 24-hour period, you will ensure there are high numbers of beneficial microorganisms inside, as well as supplying the relevant nutrients. A popular choice amongst many outdoor growers in the USA is to use bat guano and unsulfured black strap molasses for the ultimate flavor enhancer.
Top Tip: It is best to leave the tea to aerate for a minimum 24-hour period, as this is the time it takes for the bacteria and fungi present to multiply from millions into billions, the perfect ingredient to produce tasty weed buds!
Introduce enzymes for healthy cannabis flowers
Enzymes are a fantastic way of breaking down substrates and are widely used to clean ponds, and industrial dishwashers. They contribute to the overall health of the plant, ensuring a healthy root system which will improve the quality and flavor of the buds produced. Generally plant enzymes will come in bottle form as a liquid that are designed to be mixed with other nutrients, or at a high ratio of 20ml per litre during the final flush. Enzymes will make roots bright white and shiny, and are also an excellent way to fight off root rot.
Top Tip: It is a good idea to buy different enzymes from various brands and to combine them. The more enzymes you can find from different sources the better.
FAQs
Implementing light deprivation techniques, such as "light flipping" or "light cycling," can stimulate terpene production. By manipulating the light schedule during the flowering stage, you can create periods of darkness to mimic natural light changes. This technique is commonly used in greenhouse or indoor settings.
Does molasses increase terpenes? ›
Finally, various nutrients and supplements can be added to the growing medium to boost terpene production. Some growers, for example, use molasses, which is high in carbohydrates and can feed beneficial micro-organisms in the soil while stimulating the production of terpene.
What terpene gets you the most high? ›
What terpenes get you high? While terpenes themselves don't get you high, terpenes influence the effects of other plant compounds such as THC. For example, myrcene is known to produce the entourage effect, where different compounds in cannabis form a symbiotic relationship to create a more powerful impact.
How do you add terpenes to buds? ›
There are a few ways we can use terpenes with buds. As mentioned, we can always moisten some dry buds by adding 1–2 drops of the oil per gram of flower. Alternatively, we could lightly coat our pipe bowl with it — about 0.2 mm should be enough.
What nutrient increases terpenes? ›
Use organic nutrients/amendments
There are also supplements that will help your plant develop more terpenes, such as amino acids and carbohydrates/sugars.
How do you increase trichomes and terpenes? ›
Tips and Tricks to Boost Trichome Production
- Choose the Right Genetics. When it comes to trichome production, genetics play a crucial role. ...
- Provide Adequate Lighting. ...
- Optimize Temperature and Humidity. ...
- Implement Proper Nutrient Management. ...
- Employ Stress Techniques. ...
- Time Harvest Properly.
The minerals and vitamins in molasses also contribute to various plant functions. To encourage bigger buds and increased trichome production, consider the following factors: Genetics: The genetics of the plant play a significant role in bud size and trichome production.
Does sulfur increase terpenes? ›
In particular, the authors of this study identified a novel class of volatile sulfur compounds responsible for the unique aromas of cannabis, which complement and enhance the terpenes' aromatic effects.
What is the rarest terpene? ›
Of cannabis' eight most common terpenes, terpinolene is considered the the least common. Terpinolene is typically seen as a secondary or tertiary terpene that occurs in lower concentrations in most strains.
What are good terpene numbers? ›
Based on this average, a high terpene percentage for cannabis flower can be anything above 2%. However, some strains and sources may have much higher terpene percentages than others. For example, some testing labs have reported terpene percentages as high as 5%, 10%, or even 20% for certain strains and products.
If you're wondering which terpene might be the best pick for boosting laughter, limonene takes the spotlight. Known for its mood-elevating properties, limonene is like sunshine in a bottle, offering a citrusy burst that can lighten spirits and make everything feel a bit more amusing.
What happens if you add too much terpenes? ›
However, there are dangers to using terpenes as well, especially in their pure, concentrated forms. In high concentrations, terpenes can relax the blood vessel walls and cause hypotension (low blood pressure) and dizziness. Concentrated forms can be toxic to our cells — causing irritation, pain, inflammation, and more.
Can you spray terpenes on buds? ›
Terpenes are volatile organic compounds with many potential medicinal benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and pain-relieving effects. One of the newest ways to enjoy the benefits of cannabis is to spray terpenes or terpene extracts on your cannabis flowers.
What can I mix with terpenes? ›
Now that you know how to use terpenes, you're probably wondering what kind of products you can use them with. The answer is just about anything — topicals, food, vape cartridges, edibles, concentrates, tinctures, flower, fragrances, beer — you're only limited to the bounds of your imagination.
How do you increase trichomes size? ›
During the flowering stage, it's important to provide your plants with a balanced blend of nutrients that includes phosphorus and potassium, which are essential for trichome production. You can also use supplements such as molasses, which can help feed the beneficial microbes in your soil and promote trichome growth.
What plants are high in terpenes? ›
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many plants, though many people commonly associate them with cannabis because cannabis plants contain high concentrations of them. These aromatic compounds create the characteristic scent of many plants, such as cannabis, pine, and lavender, as well as fresh orange peel.
Does adding terpenes get you more high? ›
According to the entourage effect, terpenes boost the effects of cannabinoids, so it is certainly possible that adding terpenes to your favorite cannabis products can also make your high “higher.” Again, experiences of psychoactivity are unique from one person to the next, so your results may vary.
How do you increase trichomes density? ›
Increased light intensity or day length increases trichome density.
