How To Trim Weed. Hand trimming dried cannabis flower remains a vital process for many growers aiming to produce top-shelf cannabis. While many commercial operations utilize trimming machines to reduce labor costs as they scale, some choose to run most material through machines before sending it to technicians for a final manicure. Smaller craft producers often hand trim all their flower or reserve hand trimming for their premium products, using machines for lower-grade cannabis.
Many find that combining machine and hand trimming offers the best results. Hand trimming can preserve trichomes and the natural structure of the flower, enhancing its appearance, whereas trimming machines, although faster, may degrade flower structure and reduce potency due to trichome loss. Switching from machine to hand trimming can increase the flower-to-trim ratio, adding value to the product.
Hand trimming is subjective, with pace and ability varying among individuals.
Why it is important to trim the grass
The dense buds you buy at the dispensary don’t come off the plant looking like that.
Before it is ready to smoke, cannabis must be pruned after harvest. This process removes excess branches, leaves, and stems that contain little to no trichomes or cannabinoids. Trimming helps shape the buds and significantly improves the quality of your marijuana.
Trimming grass makes your buds:
More aesthetically pleasing: If you’ve ever purchased low-quality or second-rate buds, you may have noticed that they were under-trimmed (or under-trimmed), and often contained excess leaves and stems. However, the lavish photographs of premium cannabis you see in magazines look that way in part because they have been carefully cropped by their growers.
Improved aroma: Letting the stems and leaves of your plant dry with cannabis can make your weed smell more like hay or straw instead of the classic marijuana aroma. By taking the time to prune, you will not only improve visual appeal, but you will also ensure that your harvest smells better.
More pleasant to consume: Pruning cannabis plants makes smoking them much easier and more enjoyable. If left on the bud when dried, the leaves and stems can produce a much harsher and less flavorful experience.
Learn how to prune weed correctly to elevate the quality and enjoyment of your cannabis.
How to Trim Weed Like a Pro
Do you want to trim weed by hand or are you curious about which are the best bud trimmers? We have great tips for you right here.
Trim cannabis plants involves removing everything except the buds, including stems, plant branches, fan leaves, and sugar leaves. The goal is to smoke clean buds, as unpruned cannabis with excess plant matter creates a harsher smoking experience without adding potency, and no one wants that. Decide how you want to prune your grass based on factors such as climate, resources and time.
Trimming at the right time throughout the growing process can also strengthen your plants. It’s not just about trimming cannabis buds during harvest; The strongest plants are those that you have maintained throughout their growth. These practices improve the quality and appeal of your cannabis flowers.
When to Trim Weed?
There are two primary methods to trim your cannabis plants: wet trimming and dry trimming. Wet trimming, as the name implies, happens when the marijuana plant is still wet. This involves cutting down your plants during harvest and immediately starting the trimming process.
Conversely, dry trimming requires drying your plants for a few days before beginning to trim the buds.
Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore each one in more detail.
How Trim Wet Weed?
Wet trimming involves pruning marijuana while the plant is still wet, immediately after harvest. This method offers several advantages, making the trimming process more efficient. Firstly, removing plant leaves is much easier when the plant is fresh. Additionally, the drying process is faster after wet trimming because there is less damp material to dry. Since you don’t need to dry the entire plant, wet trimming saves space during the drying stage, as you only need to dry the buds.
Wet trimming also helps retain more terpenes, trichomes, and cannabinoids, resulting in stickier and more flavorful buds. However, it can be messier than dry trimming, so wearing gloves is advisable.
For the best-looking cannabis buds, wet trimming is highly recommended. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to trim weed using the wet trimming method:
- Cut the Cannabis Plant into Smaller Pieces: Begin by cutting the branches of the marijuana plant into smaller, manageable pieces. This makes the trimming process easier.
- Remove the Fan Leaves: Focus on removing all the fan leaves attached to the buds. These large, iconic leaves are easily identifiable and should be removed.
- Trim the Sugar Leaves: After the fan leaves are removed, trim the small leaves, known as sugar leaves, that stick out from the buds. While sugar leaves are covered in trichomes, they can make the bud harsh to smoke if not removed. Use a trim tray to collect these trimmings for potential use in other products like edibles.
- Dry Your Trimmed Cannabis: Once trimming is complete, dry your buds. If you left enough stem to hang the buds, use a clothesline or wire. Otherwise, use a drying rack. Drying usually takes 7-10 days, depending on local temperature and humidity conditions.
Following these steps will help you achieve the best results when learning how to trim weed using the wet trimming method.
Trim Dry Weed Step By Step
Dry trimming cannabis involves trimming your bud after the plant has dried. This method is especially beneficial for marijuana growers in drier climates, as the drying process will take longer. This extended process helps preserve the cannabinoids, terpenes, and trichomes on your bud.
Dry trimming generally creates less mess. Unlike wet marijuana, which is very sticky, dry weed won’t leave as much residue on your hands. However, it’s easier to break off dried trichomes during trimming, so you must be extra careful to avoid losing part of your precious harvest.
Here’s a step-by-step process for dry trimming:
Cut the cannabis plant branches into smaller pieces.
Start by chopping your freshly harvested weed plant into smaller, more manageable pieces. Ensure the final branches can be easily handled while trimming. Cut the branches in a way that makes it easy to hang them on clotheslines or string for drying.
Start removing the fan leaves.
Begin by removing the fan leaves, just like with wet trimming. Don’t worry about the sugar leaves yet.
Hang and dry your marijuana branches.
Once the fan leaves are removed, hang your weed branches using a clothesline, string, or wire. Let them completely dry before continuing your trim. The drying time varies depending on humidity and temperature, but 7-10 days is typically sufficient.
To check if your bud is fully dry, use the “snap test.” Snap a stem in half – if it breaks cleanly like a stick, your plants are dry enough to finish trimming.
Trim the sugar leaves off the dry bud.
Once your harvest is dried, remove all the dried sugar leaves from your bud. The amount you leave is up to you, but the most flavorful final product will have no sugar leaves remaining.
After trimming all the sugar leaves and shaping the bud, you’re done with dry trimming. Since the marijuana is already dry, you can begin curing your weed right away!
Hand Trimming vs. Machine Trimming
When it comes to how to trim weed, the question arises whether to trim by hand or use trimming machines. Most small-scale growers prefer hand trimming, while larger operations often opt for machine trimming. Your final decision will depend on your preferences and available resources. To determine which option is best for you, consider the pros and cons of hand trimming versus machine trimming.
Hand Trimming
Pros:
- Cost-Effective: No need for an expensive trimming machine.
- Aesthetic Quality: Results in more visually appealing buds.
- Attention to Detail: Easier to spot issues like mold or insects.
Cons:
- Labor-Intensive: It’s messy and time-consuming.
- Additional Help Needed: Often requires hiring additional trimmers.
Machine Trimming
Pros:
- Efficiency: Quicker and more efficient process.
- Long-Term Savings: More cost-effective over time as it eliminates the need for constant trimmer hires.
- Cleanliness: Much less messy.
Cons:
- Over-Trimming: Machines tend to over-trim, resulting in some loss of quality product.
- Potency and Flavor: Potential removal of trichomes, which can negatively impact potency and flavor.
- Residue: Some stems and seeds may be left in the final product.
Understanding these factors will help you make an informed decision on how to trim weed for your specific needs.
Harvest bud as a pro
Trimming involves removing the fan leaves, which are the larger leaves characterized by five distinct points a central, elongated point flanked by two smaller ones on each side. You can pluck these leaves using your fingers, scissors, or gardening shears. Alternatively, some prefer to trim these leaves after the plant has been cured, as this method can enhance flavor by slowing down the drying process.
Trimming involves removing the sugar leaves that grow directly from the buds. These leaves are very short, often hidden by the buds themselves. Using scissors, delicately reach into the bud and cut them off at the stem. Optionally, retain sugar leaves with abundant trichomes for higher THC content. Removing all sugar leaves can enhance the quality and potency of your harvest.
Clip buds from branches, leaving some stem for hanging. Trim off excess leaves, then use shears or a sharp knife to cut buds close to the branch. It’s advisable to keep buds on stems to slow drying and enable hanging for drying, rather than using racks. In humid conditions, consider removing buds to expedite drying. This method of cutting buds individually from branches is known as ‘bucking.’
To cure the trimmed branches, hang them to dry in a well-ventilated area. Use string or twist ties to suspend the branches from a laundry line, ensuring good airflow around all parts. Maintain a room temperature of 60–70 °F (16–21 °C) for 1-3 months. Keep the room ventilated with a fan or open window. Use a humidity meter to monitor and maintain humidity above 50% to prevent mold growth. Avoid direct sunlight, heat, and excess moisture, which can damage your crop. The curing process is complete when the buds feel springy to the touch and the stems snap easily rather than bend.
Remove the dried buds from the stems by gently pinching them away with your fingers once they are dry. Next, trim off the remaining leaves from the branches. Store the trimmed parts in airtight containers. After completely trimming the marijuana plant of buds and leaves, dispose of it in your compost bin or discard it with your regular trash.
