A good way to think about cannabis cultivation is that you’re actually farming trichomes, specifically the cannabinoids and terpenes they contain. Especially if you’re planning to use the flowers for making hash, it’s important to optimize for terpene production during the flowering phase of the cannabis plant’s life. 

The following are some things to consider for your grow when aiming for increased terpene production:

Learn more about how to cultivate soil for maximum terpene expression. 

Strong Lights

Give your plants proper the proper spectrum of light for the flowering cycle and make sure your lumen output is on point. 

LST

The right amount of stress to a cannabis plant can actually stimulate maximum trichome production, since trichomes actually evolved in part as a way to protect the plant from danger. Training a plant’s branches to grow evenly across a horizontal canopy is a great way to maximize exposure to light and train the plant into focusing more energy on trichome production. 

Lower Humidity Right Before Harvest

Another way to slightly stress the flowering plants and trigger max terpene production is to lower humidity to around 30% during the last few weeks of flowering. 

Harvest at the Right Time

Don’t miss the ideal harvest window, especially by letting the buds flower for too long. Cannabis plants harvested too early haven’t yet reached the climax of terpene expression. But wait too long, and the trichomes will rapidly start deteriorating. 

Use Finesse when Handling the Flowers

Ham-handedly juggling cannabis flowers around will knock off the trichomes which include the highest concentration of terpenes found on the plant. Use care and finesse when you handle flowers to keep the trichomes intact.  

Proper Cure for Preservation

Finally, a proper cure is a significant factor in terpene expression and could well be at the top of the list. The terpenes you’ve worked hard to farm will be lost if the buds don’t slowly dry over 10-14 days and then cure for another couple weeks in jars. Temps should remain low, be sure to eliminate exposure to light, and in the process, the chemical composition of the flowers will change in such a way to optimize the truest expression of the terpene profile. 

Conclusion

Be mindful of the ways you can increase terpene production during growth and also during and after harvest all the way through drying and curing. It's hard to overstate the importance of a prominent terpene profile in a premium product.

Peaceful pressing!✌🏽

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the most important thing for terpene production?
Selecting a cultivar with genetics that consistently produce high levels of terpenes is the best way to maximize terpene production in the garden. 

What is the worst thing you can do for terpene production?
High heat, over 85 degrees Fahrenheit, will cause massive loss to terpenes. 

Is soil or hydro better for terpene production?
Living soil is generally considered the best option for terpene production. 

Does humidity impact terpene production?
Yes, keeping a lower humidity right before harvest will increase terpene content. 

Does harvesting too early impact terpenes?
Harvesting weeks too early can yield less terpenes, since they likely haven't been able to develop to the fullest.