Trimming Options for Cannabis Plant Material

Trimming Options for Cannabis Plant Material

Trimming Options for Cannabis Plant Material

Professor DeBacco

Trimming Options
Wet trimming the entire plant is cut down and the buds are removed then are trimmed, dried all in one continuous sequence.
Often called “bucking”
Dry trimming the plant is cut down and then hung to dry for a period of time (typically 5-10 days) followed by the removal of the buds from the branches after the plant material has dried.

Wet Trimming Cannabis Plant Material
Advantages
Can complete the entire process in one continuous sequence of steps.
Reduces the drying space needed
Tighter trim since leaves are flat
Less damage to trichomes as they are not brittle dry
Waste material can be disposed of immediately
Disadvantages
Process is time sensitive as if the plants sit waiting the trimming phase the odds of mold increase
Less room for error

Dry Trimming Cannabis Plant Material
Advantages
Clean-up is easier
Trimming can be spread out over more time
Less equipment is needed
Disadvantages
Greater space is needed to hang the plants during the drying process
Plant material is fragile
Fan leaves typically still need to be removed

Combining Wet and Dry Trimming
Consider removing the fan leaves right before harvesting to help reduce the labor later and to speed up the drying process.
The goal is to maintain the trichome quality, by having the smaller leaves around the bud (sugar leaves) act as a physical protective barrier.
This allows for the best of both trimming options combined into one.

Many commercial growers will trim wet just to remove some of the bigger fan leaves, and then manicure the buds by hand to achieve the boutique-style look that many consumers expect these days.

Link to Lecture Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b7gVo1CHrRh9yLDiGSkyncp06JQoO8zK/view?usp=sharing

*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for “Trimming Options for Cannabis Plant Material” can be viewed at… https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TWB1zVPeTl_7GEgFvl75IWCavHJ2NEMv/view?usp=sharing