A cannabis bud is what we tend to think of when we think of weed – a small dried nugget of THC goodness. But bud also refers to a part of the cannabis plant, and that’s what we will focus on today.
This article will give you a better understanding of what makes up the bud and how to harvest and prepare buds. This is important if you want to grow your weed, but it is also helpful in understanding what you are smoking and how to make the best of your high.
The growth on a cannabis plant that we commonly refer to as “flowers” are technically inflorescences, which are clusters of flowers.
Despite this technical distinction, it’s normal to call these flowers buds in everyday conversation. Buds typically develop at the tips of the main stem and at points where branches intersect.
You might come across the term “cola” as well. A cola refers to a group of buds located at the top of a cannabis stem. Usually, a single cola forms in the center of each plant. If you’re cultivating cannabis, you can use various training methods to increase the number of colas.
It’s important to note that only female cannabis plants produce buds, while male plants produce pollen sacs. Any cannabis you purchase comes from female cannabis plants.
You might think of a cannabis bud as a single thing, but it is actually made up of many different parts.
There are two types of leaves that surround the cannabis bud: fan leaves and sugar leaves. Fan leaves are large, extending from the sides of the stem. They contain minimal cannabinoids and are not great for smoking. Nevertheless, they are the iconic image associated with marijuana.
When it comes to smoking marijuana, the more crucial leaves are the sugar leaves. Sugar leaves are smaller and emerge from the top of the buds. They earn their name from their heavy coating of trichomes, which gives them the appearance of being dusted with sugar.
During the processing of cannabis, sugar leaves are often removed to create products like hash. However, lower-quality cannabis may include sugar leaves to bulk up the nug.
Trichomes are where the magic is stored. These nearly transparent, resin-producing glands contain exceptionally high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes, which are responsible for the plant’s psychoactive properties. Trichomes also serve as a defense mechanism, protecting the plant from potential predators.
Next, we have the reproductive components of the cannabis plant. The pistil, responsible for seed production, is adorned with a stigma, which resembles small hair-like structures protruding from the bud’s sides. These stigma serve as a landing zone for pollen from male cannabis plants.
The bract is the protective structure that envelops the reproductive organs of female cannabis plants. It is in the bract where you’ll find the most concentrated amount of cannabinoids in the entire plant. Top-notch cannabis primarily consists of these bracts.
Cannabis buds are versatile and serve as the primary source of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. Typically, the entire bud, including the bract, is dried for smoking.
Alternatively, buds can be processed into various concentrates. Rosin, for instance, is made exclusively from buds, while live resins utilize a broader part of the plant. The sugar leaves are often removed and used for producing substances like hash.
You can also harness the potential of buds to create infusions like cannabutter and cannabis cooking oil. This offers an alternative to smoking for reaping the benefits of cannabis. Preparing infusions at home is feasible, but you can also find ready-made options.
For those aiming to create their own infused cannabutter, it’s crucial to decarboxylate the buds. Decarboxylation involves heating the cannabis to activate the cannabinoids, a process naturally facilitated by smoking.
You don’t need to decarb weed that you are planning on smoking, but some people prefer to. Smoking-induced decarboxylation activates cannabinoids but may not efficiently preserve all of them.
But if you want to make edibles or infusions, you need to heat the buds before you can use them, or they won’t have any effect. You can decarb weed in the oven, putting it in at 240°F (115°C) for around 30 and 45 minutes.
The potency of buds depends on a lot of factors. Some weed strains are simply more potent than others, like Godfather OG or Durban Poison.
Potency also depends on the growing conditions of the plants. The more light the buds get, the higher quality they will be.
So to maximize light exposure, growers use techniques like scrogging. This involves spreading the plants across a screen to ensure each bud receives direct light. Buds located lower on the plant tend to be of lower quality.
Another factor that affects potency is whether the plants are pollinated. Unpollinated female plants tend to produce more cannabinoids. So, if you purchase cannabis from a reputable dispensary, it likely originates from unpollinated female plants. It’s also good to know this if you are wanting to grow weed yourself.
To assess the potency and quality of a bud, consider its appearance, aroma, and stickiness. Stickier buds typically have a higher number of trichomes, indicating better quality.
It’s worth noting that the processing method also impacts potency. For example, moon rocks are significantly more potent than standard weed, even if they are derived from the same plant.
Harvesting cannabis buds is a skill and practice will help you achieve the best results. There are two main methods for harvesting cannabis: wet cutting and dry cutting.
In wet cutting, you trim individual buds from the plant and then prepare them.
Dry cutting involves waiting until the buds have dried before trimming them. With this method, you place whole branches and colas on a drying rack. One advantage of dry cutting is that it offers more control over the final shape of the buds.
However, dry cutting can be challenging because dried buds are more delicate than their wet counterparts, and there’s a risk of losing some resin during the trimming process.
If you’ve used the wet cutting method to harvest, the next steps are drying and curing. For the dry cutting method, you’d do the drying before you trim your branches.
Drying and curing are essential for a better cannabis experience. Drying eliminates moisture from the bud’s outer layers, while curing targets deeper moisture levels.
To dry your buds, spread them out on a drying rack to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial because it makes your cannabis easier to smoke and ensures a more enjoyable experience.
The duration of the drying process depends on factors like the type of plants and humidity levels, typically taking around 7 to 12 days. You can check if your buds are adequately dried by snapping a branch. If it bends instead of snapping, your buds need more drying time, especially if they are larger and denser.
After drying, the curing phase involves placing the buds in an airtight container for at least two weeks. This process restricts airflow, helping to break down nutrients and sugars in the plant, ultimately enhancing the quality of your smoking experience.
While drying and curing might appear daunting to beginners, our guide can simplify the task.
Buds are the most commonly used form of cannabis for smoking. Processed buds are known by various names, such as bud, nug, nugget, or flower.
When you purchase weed for smoking, you’re essentially buying processed buds. These buds can be loaded into a bong, pipe, joint, or vaporizer, offering you flexibility in how you choose to consume them. Different people have their preferred methods for enjoying weed, and buds offer a wide range of options.
To smoke a bud, you’ll need to grind it down and place it in your chosen smoking device. If you’re using a vaporizer, ensure that you have the appropriate type of bud.
One advantage of smoking buds is the level of control it grants you over your cannabis consumption. You can decide how much weed to use and how many inhalations to take. This makes smoking weed suitable for both newcomers and experienced users, as it allows you to adjust your experience according to your tolerance.
When it comes to using cannabis for medical purposes, not all strains are created equal. People seeking relief from pain and other medical benefits often require more potent strains.
We recommend considering strains like LA Confidential, Blue Dream, Buddha Kush, and Super Silver Haze for their potential medicinal qualities.
It’s worth noting that if you’re interested in the medical benefits of cannabis, smoking is not your only option. There are various alternatives to explore, including edibles and other concentrates.
In some states, there are strict regulations governing the amount of cannabis and cannabis products you can possess. This makes highly potent forms of cannabis, like kief, an appealing choice. Using small amounts of such potent forms can still provide the desired benefits.
Now that you’ve gained insight into the intriguing realm of cannabis buds, you can impress your friends with your great knowledge of marijuana. You’re also now better equipped for cultivating or processing your cannabis.
Whether you’re interested in growing your marijuana or purchasing pre-rolled products, Embarc is your ultimate destination. We offer a collection of articles that cover all aspects of cannabis, catering to both consumers and growers.
Our dispensaries offer a diverse selection of high-quality cannabis products, ensuring you can find the ideal solution for whatever you’re seeking.
