The Do’s and Don’ts of Touching Buds During Flowering
Have you ever found yourself in a love triangle, you, your buds, and your wandering hands? I see you there, humming tunes of sweet nothings to your budding plants, promising them the moon and stars while gently caressing their delicate flowers. Don’t worry, you’re not alone; there are many of us budding romantics out there.…
Understanding the Flowering Stage
We’re talking about the cannabis flowering stage, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the final inning, the last two weeks before harvest, that pivotal period when those glorious buds swell and burst with trichomes, and the air is heavy with the sweet scent of terpenes.
It’s like the plant version of adolescence, hormones raging and all.
And just like any moody teenager, they need their personal space.
Risks of Touching Buds During Flowering
Much as you might love to hold, hug, and snuggle your developing buds, treating them right and giving them their space is best.
They’re not just random bumps on your plant – they’re delicate flowers in their prime.
Damage to Trichomes
The buds during flowering are like a kush flowering in the cold temps of the Dutch outdoors, their surface covered in a frosty layer of trichomes.
These tiny, sticky, glandular hairs are the lifeblood of your plant, packed with the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that give your bud its potency and flavor.
But they’re also as delicate as a snowflake.
A simple touch, a squeeze, a rub, or even an innocent sniff can burst these trichomes, causing precious terpenes to evaporate faster than a Dutchman on a bicycle.
So, hands off unless you’ve got a microscope and are checking bud density for harvest time!
Rubber gloves might seem like a good solution, but one wise grower pointed out, “Rubber gloves do not stop it from sticking. They just get in the way for real.”
Stress to the Plant
As if potential damage to trichomes and the risk of a full-scale bud pandemic wasn’t enough, touching your buds can also lead to stressing plants before harvest.
It’s like inviting your mother-in-law over in the last week of your vacation.
No one wants that, and neither do your plants.
When is it Necessary to Touch Buds?
Now, I understand; sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Whether it’s the need to check for pests or diseases or to support your plant with some TLC (Tender Loving Care), there may be times when the touching is unavoidable.
But remember, it’s not a free pass to start squeezing buds like you’re checking tomatoes at the grocery store.
Best Practices for Handling Buds During Flowering
When you must touch your buds, do it with the grace of a ballerina and the precision of a surgeon.
Some growers like to touch a small leaf to get a pleasant smell from the plant.
Others prefer to give the main stem a gentle rub down and then smell their fingers.😃
Whatever your method, be gentle and swift; always remember patience is a virtue.
The Impact of Touching on Yield and Potency
So, what’s the bottom line, you ask? Will touching affect the size and potency of your buds?
No, it won’t affect their size, but you can rub terpenes off.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, But who doesn’t like touching their buds here and there?
Trust me, all that rubbing and squeezing could lead to the great trichome tragedy of 2023.
While there’s no hard and fast rule, it’s generally better to be cautious and keep your buds untouched, even while trimming.
As one conscientious grower confessed, “I’m so prissy about messing with my trichs.”
And for good reason! The more trichomes are intact, the better your yield and the higher the potency of your buds.
In conclusion, the tale of touching buds during flowering is delicate.
It’s a dance between the necessity of care and the risk of overzealous love.
But with a bit of patience and lots of respect for our green friends, we can all enjoy a bountiful harvest.
Now, go forth and grow, and remember, “I started thinking about me touching my developing buds. I might go blind.”
So let’s stick to using our eyes, not our hands. 😂
FAQ
Can you water buds during flowering?
Yes, but avoid getting water directly on the buds to prevent mold and bud rot.
How do you make your buds swell?
Use a phosphorus and potassium-rich nutrient solution and consider techniques like Low Stress Training (LST) to promote bud growth.
Should I squeeze my buds?
It’s best not to squeeze buds during flowering to avoid damaging trichomes and stressing the plant.
What week do buds fatten up the most?
Buds usually fatten up between the 5th and 7th week of the flowering stage, but timing can vary depending on the strain and growing conditions.
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