May
Marijuana is legal all over Canada and users can now buy weed and other cannabis products for both recreational and medical purposes. However, depending on what part of Canada you live in, you also have the option of growing marijuana at home. Most provinces allow you to grow up to four active plants either indoors or outdoors. And when it comes to marijuana growing, you should learn how to make your buds sparkle with more trichomes.
Trichomes are the small, crystal-like glands you’ll see on marijuana buds. Trichomes are especially important as they’re the epicenter of the plant where THC is produced, along with various other cannabinoids and terpenes that contribute to the effects, aroma, and taste of each marijuana strain. As such, you’ll want to maximize trichome production before you harvest your plants. Here’s a guide on growing buds with more trichomes.
What Are Trichomes?
When you see marijuana buds that sparkle, it’s because of their high trichome production. Trichomes are tiny glands that grow all over cannabis buds and look like bulbous crystals. These are the most potent and important parts of the plant, especially as they’re responsible for producing the compounds that give you the effects marijuana is known for.
Trichomes are known as the epicenter of marijuana buds as they produce cannabinoids. This includes the psychoactive component of cannabis, THC, but they also produce various other cannabinoids that contribute to the effects and benefits of marijuana. They also produce terpenes– the natural compounds that give each strain its unique aroma and taste.
Although trichomes come in different shapes and sizes, many can be seen growing on the pistils (hairs) of buds while they’re growing. This is especially helpful for growers as you can assess them to determine when your plants are ready to grow. You can also take certain measures to boost trichome production and ensure you end up with sparkly, potent marijuana buds.
How To Grow Marijuana At Home
Growing marijuana at home is a great option if you enjoy marijuana and want a rewarding D.I.Y. project. Although you’ll need to invest a lot of time, as well as some money in growing equipment, it’s often worth it as you can produce impressive yields of marijuana right at home.
While you can grow marijuana outdoors, this can be tough as you have no control over the growing conditions and your plants may be ruined by poor weather or pests. Although it’s a viable option during warmer months, the best way to grow marijuana and boost trichome production is to grow indoors.
You’re going to need some equipment to grow indoors. Artificial lighting such as HID lighting is required and you’ll also need some form of air conditioning for temperature control. You’ll also need nutrient-enriched soil or water with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. You should also have some plant pots.
You can find marijuana seeds at a seed bank or certain cannabis stores. You’ll need to buy feminized seeds if you want good yields of marijuana. You can also buy autoflowering feminized seeds if you want your plants to grow faster. Once you have everything you need, set up an enclosed space for growing. You can use a tent, a closet, or a room for growing your plants.
Tips For Boosting Trichome Production
Growing indoors allows you to have much more control over the growing conditions of your plants. As such, you can use certain methods to improve your plant’s growth and even boost trichome production.
It can help to germinate your seeds before you start growing. This involves putting them between a few sheets of damp paper towels on top of a dish and waiting for the seeds to sprout. Once they do, you can carefully transfer them to plant pots. Once the seeds begin to grow, you can place the pots in your growing space and start taking control.
In the early stages of growth, give your plants 18 hours of light a day and a temperature of around 70-75°F. If you’re not using nutrient-enriched soil, you should give your plants nutrient-enriched water containing nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. Your plants should begin to flower after around four to six weeks.
Once your plants begin to flower, give them 12 hours of light a day and a temperature of around 65-70°F. After a couple of months, you’ll start to notice the trichomes growing all over your buds. At this point, you can start assessing the trichomes and deciding when your buds are ready to harvest.
When To Harvest Your Plants
Trichomes can tell you a lot about marijuana buds, including how much THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids they’re producing. Growers often closely monitor trichomes so they know exactly when to harvest their plants to ensure they get the best effects out of them.
At first, trichomes look thin and watery. This shows that they have very little potency and it’s best to wait until they get darker and thicker. Once the trichomes turn milky white and the heads of the trichomes grow thicker, your buds are high in THC. Harvesting them at this point will give you strong cerebrally-stimulating effects.
If you want longer, the trichomes will begin to turn amber or yellow. This shows that the THC is converting into other cannabinoids, such as CBD and CBN. If you prefer a more relaxing and sedating high, you should wait until this point to harvest your buds. However, don’t wait too long- if most of the buds have turned amber this suggests they’re losing potency.
Conclusion
If you want to make your buds sparkle with more trichomes, it’s best to grow your marijuana plants indoors where you’ll have more control over the growing conditions. Following the steps above will help you produce potent weed that you can then harvest for sensational effects.
Growing is a fun project for anyone who loves marijuana and doesn’t mind putting the effort forth. However, it is a long process and some users may prefer to forego it altogether. Luckily, you can find plenty of trichome-laden buds when you buy weed online. You can find various potent marijuana strains, concentrates, and more at GetKush.
