Very curious about this! I have always took it as gospel that one must “ cure” with the mason jars after drying till the smaller stems snap for me usually for me 60 Fahrenheit 60% for about 2-3 weeks and then in the mason jars with hydrometer burping every day for the first week or so twice daily, then progressively less over time depending on what the hydrometer reading is. Interesting my product always smells sweet, not cut grass sweet but I am not sure if that is from the molasses I add in late stage flower or not..
Do I have to start giving nutrients again?
- Thread starter AlmightyJumpman
- Start date
Do you find any difference in flower size from adding bloom booster vice not? Do you see any difference in flavor? Things I have been scared up to this point to experiment with.
medidedicated
Well-Known Member
I dry 12 days the longest ever since doing 60/60. I wet trim growers trim meaning I just cut the major leafs that lack sugar. Gentle handling so it retains its hash. I de-nug and dry herb shelf it so it dries a bit faster but more consistant. I tried hanging whole and its just too subjective, the smaller buds can dry out before the big colas.
I jar for 2 wks should be good, 3 weeks if its still harsh which usually the longer the better. It must be undisturbed tho idk where this burping this came from. If anything maybe its misunderstood you just do it if it sat around for a month or two or more. You should be jarring when rh is stable.
Thats exactly when its best time for me to press to flower rosin its all I do. So learning to cure wasnt hard it came naturally.
jimihendrix1
Well-Known Member
Cannabis Flushing Research Study
Is flushing your cannabis plants really beneficial for the final outcome? The effectiveness of flushing cannabis is often questioned, and there is debate about the ideal length of the flushing period. Our Rx Green R&D team conducted a study to uncover the truth behind this urban myth in cannabis growing nutrients.
The study examined the impact of various flushing durations on the taste, chemical composition, and smoking quality of the Cherry Diesel cannabis strain.
- We tested the effects of 14, 10, 7, and 0 days of flushing cannabis plants.
- Rx Green’s cannabis flushing study showed no major differences in the results of flush treatments for cannabis nutrient systems.
Surprisingly, this research study further proved that there is no clear indicator of when to flush cannabis plants and the impact it has on the end result.
For a more in-depth look into our cannabis flushing research study, read the complete study below.
IMPACT OF DIFFERENT FLUSHING TIMES ON QUALITY AND TASTE IN CANNABIS SATIVA L.
Data presented by: Stephanie Wedryk, PhD, Director of R&D at Rx Green Technologies; Taylor Wall, Research Operations Lead at Rx Green Technologies; Ryan Bennett, Research Associate at Rx Green Technologies
CANNABIS FLUSHING TRIAL SUMMARY
- Rx Green Technologies evaluated the effects of different flushing times on chemical profile, flavor, and smoking characteristics in cannabis flower.
- Flushing periods of 14, 10, 7, and 0 days were imposed on Cherry Diesel.
- No differences were detected between flush treatments for yield, potency, or terpenes.
- Analysis of the mineral content of leaves indicated small changes in content, specifically of iron and zinc.
- Taste test panelists tended to prefer flower flushed for 0 days.
INTRODUCTION
The taste and combustion qualities of cannabis are dependent on the chemical characteristics of the flower. During the growing cycle, management practices can influence these chemical characteristics for cannabis cultivation supplies.For this reason, many cannabis growers implement a flushing period where only water is fed to plants in the final days to weeks before harvest. While many cultivators attest to the effects of a flush, no scientific studies have been conducted to validate this practice. Rx Green Technologies has conducted a pioneering study to assess the impact of different flushing times on the chemical profile, flavor, and combustion characteristics of cannabis flower.
CULTIVATION MATERIALS AND GROWING METHODS
Cannabis variety Cherry Diesel (Cherry OG x Turbo Diesel) was grown at the Rx Green Technologies’ R&D Facility using Rx Green Technologies nutrients, cannabis grow supplements, and Clean Coco.Grow A & Grow B and E-Plus were fed during the vegetative stage, and Bloom A & Bloom B, E-Plus, and Bulk were fed during the flowering cycle. The first flushing period began 14 days before harvest. The other flushing periods were ten, seven, and zero days before harvest. Each flushing period was tested on 12 different Cherry Diesel plants divided into four different groups (replications) spread evenly across the flowering room tables. Flower and fan leaf samples were collected from each flushing treatment on the first day of flush and the day before harvest to quantify concentrations of essential plant nutrients and cannabis grow supplements.
After harvest, the study plants were cured before determining the final trimmed flower weight, terpene, and THC concentrations. Trim was evaluated by an extractor for THC, yield, and appearance of the extract or “wax.”
In order to assess the flavor and characteristics of smoking, samples from each flushing period were given to cannabis industry experts for a blind taste test. Each participant received a sample from each flushing time without knowing its treatment. Prior to tasting, participants were asked about their personal cannabis flavor preferences. After tasting, participants were asked to rate the sample on flavor, harshness of smoke, and ash color.
The data collected during the study were analyzed statistically to determine whether flushing times affected smoking quality, flower weight, or chemical characteristics of cannabis. Statistical data analysis allows us to quantify whether differences in the numbers are due to the treatments imposed or are the results of the natural variations observed for cannabis growing mediums.
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jimihendrix1
Well-Known Member
CANNABIS FLUSHING RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The day before harvest, visual differences in fan leaves between flushing times were apparent. Plants flushed for ten or 14 days had leaves that were more yellow, necrotic, and dry than plants flushed for zero or seven days (Figure 1a-d). The color of the 14 and ten-day flushed leaves indicates a greater breakdown of chlorophyll in the plant, leading to reduced greenness.
Figure 1. Fan leaves collected from Cherry Diesel plants the day before harvest. Flushing times depicted are (a) 14 days, (b) 10 days, (c) 7 days, and (d) 0 days.
RESULTS OF YIELD, THC, AND TERPENES
The flower weight, THC, and terpene content of the cured flower were determined for each flushing period. The data were analyzed statistically to determine whether the numerical differences in the data were due to the treatment. Overall, there were no significant differences between treatments for flower weight, THC, or terpene content (Figure 2a-c) (P < 0.05).- Flower weight per plant averaged 97.3 g, and THC content averaged 21.9%.
- The dominant terpenes in the flower were beta-myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and terpinolene, giving the flower an earthy and spicy smell (Figure 2c).
- Flushing times did not impact Cherry Diesel flower weight, THC, or terpenes.
Figure 2. Flower weight (a), THC (b), and terpene content (c) for Cherry Diesel flushed for 14, 10, 7, or 0 days before harvest. Significant differences are indicated at the 0.05 probability level.
MINERAL CONTENT OF CANNABIS FLOWER AT HARVEST
Flower samples taken the day before harvest were analyzed for the content of essential plant nutrients. Overall, there was no significant change in the flower’s mineral content due to different flushing treatments (Figure 3). In cannabis flushed for 14 days, nitrogen was 6.7% lower than in the zero-day flush treatment (Figure 3a).Continuing to feed nitrogen can increase its concentration in the plant, reducing the need for the cannabis growing nutrients to use its reserves for essential functions. Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur were similar for all four flushing treatments (Figure 3a-b).
There were changes in iron concentrations due to flushing treatments. Iron was at least 50 ppm higher in flower flushed for 14 or 10 days (Figure 3c). Small changes were observed for zinc as well. Zinc was approximately 73 ppm higher in flower flushed for 14 days. The fluctuation in zinc did not follow a consistent pattern like iron. There was no significant change in manganese, boron, copper, or molybdenum (Figure 3c).
Cannabis cultivation nutrients like iron and zinc can accumulate in growing media over time. Feeding water during a flush may release some of these nutrients from the media into the plant. Additionally, zinc and iron are involved in the breakdown of chlorophyll occurring during senescence.
Data generated from plant parts, whether it be nutrient or THC concentrations, is naturally variable as only small samples of plants are consumed in the analysis. This may explain some of the variation seen in the data presented here. In other crops, ranges indicate whether leaf nutrient concentrations are deficient or sufficient for growth.
All nutrient concentrations detected in this study are within generally accepted leaf concentrations for the cannabis growing nutrients. Toward the end of the cannabis flowering cycle, the plant starts to naturally senescence. Plants nearing the end of their life cycle will uptake fewer nutrients as they remobilize from other plant parts. This may explain why little difference was observed in the mineral content of flower flushed at different times.
Figure 3. The mineral content of cannabis flower of plants flushed for 14, 10, 7, or 0 days. (a) Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of cannabis flower. (b) Calcium, magnesium, and sulfur content of cannabis flower. (c) Micronutrient content of cannabis flower.
EXTRACTION EFFICIENCY
Trim from Cherry Diesel was sent to an extractor to determine extraction yield and preferred characteristics of the wax.- Cannabis flushed for 14 (17.97%) or ten days (18.21%) had the highest extraction yield compared to the seven (16.39%) or zero (16.17%) day flushes.
- However, the appearance of the wax for the zero-day flush was preferred over the other flush periods (Figure 4a-d). The zero-day flush was the clearest with the least amount of nucleation.
TASTE AND SMOKE CHARACTERISTICS OF CANNABIS FLOWER
Cured flower from Cherry Diesel was evaluated by a group of industry experts for flavor and smoking characteristics in a blind taste test. Overall, the duration of the flushing period had no impact on the flavor, smoothness of smoke, or color of ash (Figure 5a-d) (P < 0.05).- The seven-day flush period had the highest “bad” rating (21.1%), and the 0-day flush had the highest “great” rating (16.7%).
- Most panelists rated the flavor of the samples as “okay” or “good.”
- The ten-day flush had the highest “okay” rating at 48.6%, and the 0-day flush had the highest “good” rating at 47.2% (Figure 4a).
- Most panelists rated the samples as either “earthy” or “sweet” (Figure 5b).
- 38.9% of panelists chose sweet as the predominant flavor for the ten- and seven-day treatments, and 32% selected sweet as the dominant flavor for the zero-day treatment.
- Panelists selected earthy most frequently (32.4%) as the dominant flavor for the 14-day flush.
- The smoothness of the smoke increased with decreasing flushing time, although was not significantly different (Figure 4d).
- Thirty-six percent of testers rated the smoke from the zero-day flush flower as smooth, whereas only 19.4% rated the 14-day flush flower as smooth.
- The 14-day flush had the highest percentage of harsh ratings (41.7%) compared to other samples.
Figure 5. Results of a blind taste test of Cherry Diesel flower. (a) Ratings for overall taste of flower as bad, okay, good, and great. (b) Ratings for flavor profile of flower as earthy, sour, spicy, or sweet. (c) Color of ash after smoking the sample rated as white, gray, or black. (d) Smoothness of the smoke while smoking rated as smooth, medium, or harsh. Significant differences are indicated at the 0.05 probability level.
CONCLUSION
In a first-of-its-kind study, Rx Green Technologies evaluated the effects of a flushing period on yield, potency, terpenes, mineral content, and taste characteristics of cannabis flower. Overall, the length of the flushing period did not impact yield, potency, terpenes, or taste characteristics of cannabis flower.Taste test results indicated a trend toward improved flavor and smoke quality with the zero-day flush. While there were no significant differences in cannabis nutrient content or cannabis supplements used, there was a trend toward increased iron and zinc in flower flushed for 14 days. This study’s results indicate no benefit to flushing Cannabis flower for improved taste or consumer experience.
Yeah I wet trim also hang whole plant upside down, definitely had the issue with the popcorn buds drying much faster. Maybe bucking and drying on racks is the way to go. Regarding the burping, I read it was about air exchanging to help anaerobic breakdown of chlorophyll making a smoother smoke. But if there is a better way I’m open to try it.
medidedicated
Well-Known Member
Im a believer in the bacteria as well which is why I leave jar closed for at least 2 wks. It can dry the bud more when burping and takes a while for the jar to balance out and continue. If the bud is already close to 55rh you might burp out that last bit of humidity thats making it cure. If below 55rh it wont cure.
That could be an ass pull but I find growing is somewhat philosophical and we all have a different idea of things. Not to say facts arent facts but no ones said I was wrong.
The weird thing is it can also be too wet to cure. The best bud Ive ever cured didnt cure until it hit closer to 55rh. My bud dont stay lit in joints even if its dried brittle idk, could be a grow method thing like organics vs hydro, I do hydro.
Genetics matter, might want to try other cultivars based on review and etc and try that. My main pheno is that sweetness you describe but there are some killer smokes out there.
medidedicated
Well-Known Member
What if not flushing, leaving more chlorophyl, gives the bacteria more to feed on? Lol idk its hot as balls today and I cant think straight. Stay cool yall.
Farmer's Hat
Well-Known Member
Op, chop that plant down. Harvest early and start over. Its not worth the effort to try and bring her back to good health.
The best advice I can give you is never ease up on the nitrogen. Feed all the way until the end. They tend to need more of it once they start flowering. Sativa leaning plants are sensitive to N, but most hybrids are Nitrogen monsters. They cant get enough of it.
Good luck on the next one
The best advice I can give you is never ease up on the nitrogen. Feed all the way until the end. They tend to need more of it once they start flowering. Sativa leaning plants are sensitive to N, but most hybrids are Nitrogen monsters. They cant get enough of it.
Good luck on the next one
hostagecs
Well-Known Member
for the last few cycles now i've been "flushing" with my algae water, nothing else the last 2 weeksish. i was told a long time ago flushing if doing it correctly you will see the plant cycle out of newts on the older leafs, its not so much getting it off the roots but getting the plant to also use what its got left inside. the biggest problem i see with most studies and im not saying they are wrong, but every plant i grow matures at a different rate, even clones cut from the same mother, very small differences but still they are there. the only true study for this would be to compare the tricoms at a set rate 40% amber or whatever is selected. but i've seen a few studies that say about the same thing, it doesn't do much according to xyz. edit my algae water is heavy in nitrites and nitrogen
