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by Lee G . Lyzit
Q
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Is there a benefit to cure your buds after drying if you only use them to make oil infusions ? Can I use my buds immediately after drying with a wet trim for seven days ? Will the terpenes be stronger immediately after the dry ?
— Nellie
Thank you for your question . Cannabis terpene concentration and degradation are somewhat complicated topics . More than 150 different terpenes and around 100 different cannabinoids have been identified in the essential oils of various cannabis strains . You may have heard of live resin , the concentrate made from fresh , flash-frozen cannabis flowers . One thing researchers agree on is that the highest concentration of terpenes for cannabis are found in fresh plant material at the end of the flowering cycle . This is why live resin is such a popular product . As the plant material dries , the relative concentration of terpenes changes . The first to evaporate are the monoterpenes , a class of terpenes that consist of two isoprene units . Myrcene and limonene , both predominate terpenes in many cannabis strains , are monoterpenes and will evaporate more quickly during the drying process . Heavier terpenes , like B-caryophyllene , are part of a class of terpenes called sesquiterpenes . Sesquiterpenes consist of three isoprene units and will not evaporate as quickly as monoterpenes . A change in the ratio or concentration of particular terpenes will affect the flavour of the buds and any extracts made from them . The first week of drying is when the most significant change in terpene concentration takes place . After a week , however , the evaporation of terpenes slows drastically ; almost completely .
To answer your question , the terpene concentration of your buds will not be significantly higher after a week of drying versus after a full cure . However , the ratio between the various terpenes will change during that first week as some evaporate more quickly than others . Also , it is important to remember that metabolic processes , which can affect the potency of the end product , occur during curing . Specifically , the chlorophyll in the plant material breaks down and cannabinoid conversion takes place . Cannabinoid conversion can lead to an increase in the overall potency of some soughtafter cannabinoids . For example , the cannabinoid CBG can degrade during the curing process and convert to CBD , CBC , or THC .
In my opinion , if you do not plan to make live resin and you are not pressed for time , you should let the buds cure completely before making extracts . This will ensure a lower amount of chlorophyll and a higher amount of converted cannabinoids . A good experiment would be to make one batch of extract when the buds have dried for a week and another when the buds have been cured completely . That way you can compare the extracts for any noticeable difference . I hope this answers your question .
Keep on Growing , Lee G . Lyzit
LL
Lee G . Lyzit has been involved in the cannabis industry for nearly 20 years . His passion for natural healing motivates him to learn as much as he can about the miraculous cannabis plant . Lee ’ s knowledge of cannabis gardening stems from his own extensive cultivation experiences and his past work as a hydroponic shop owner and manager .
12 Maximum Yield