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Missouri Cannabis Education
How Can I Increase Terpenes
When Growing My Cannabis Plants ?
by Leah Maurer , contributing writer
Leah
Leah Maurer , a native Missourian , is now a canna-journalist and activist living in Portland , OR . She is a co-owner of
www . TheWeedBlog . com , a top national cannabis news and information publication , where she serves as the Editorial Lead . In 2014 , Leah founded Moms for YES on Measure 91 through grassroots efforts alone , it proved pivotal in the passage of the Measure , successfully legalizing recreational / adult-use cannabis in the OR . Leah is a social justice and cannabis activist at the core and hopes to see an end to the prohibition of cannabis globally .
22 June 2022
Growing your own cannabis can be a very gratifying experience and can definitely save some money in the long run if you are a medical marijuana patient . But can you get the same quality from homegrown cannabis that you can when it is purchased from a dispensary ? Having a lot of terpenes in your cannabis is one big way to increase the quality of your cannabis , both in terms of how it grows and the effect it will have once you are able to consume it .
Terpenes affect the aroma and smell of the plant and , consequently , a user ’ s enjoyment , but many professionals say they will increase numerous health benefits and potency of the plant . So , as a home grower , it is important to consider how to maximize their production .
Some important factors to consider are soil , light , temperature , harvest timing , and curing .
Soil
Cannabis needs proper soil to grow well and create strong buds rich in terpenes . The soil you ’ re using should have proper nutrients . Some growers are pro-natural nutrients , while others claim artificial supplements are just as good . Whichever you go for , make sure they don ’ t add too much smell to your buds . If this is not what you are after , you can flush the plants with water two or three weeks before harvest . Flushing will remove excess nutrients interfering with the smell of flowers . One recommendation is to use “ living ” soil , which means it is rich in microorganisms . Combined with the right supplements , this is sure to give you more diverse and complex terpenes .
Light
Typically , UV light is recommended for a bigger harvest , especially the UV-B light . UV light is said to entice trichome production , and since terpenes come from those small glands , this encourages their production , too . The cannabis plant produces them while protecting itself from the UV rays . The light exposure should take two to three weeks during the flowering period . Some growers say that applying some stress to your cannabis plants , such as bending the plant , spreading the little branches , and offering more light , can help them develop at a more even rate .
Temperature
Temperature is vital for the development of the buds as well as terpene concentration and quality in the last six weeks of flowering . In the second half of the flowering stage , the temperature should be below 80 ° F , as anything above this will cause the buds to stiffen and lose their potent smell . At night , you can lower the temperature by five to ten degrees , as this small change has proven