optimizing flavor/taste

NewEnglandFarmer

NewEnglandFarmer

Well-Known Member
Maybe--but I sure haven't noticed that with food or beer! But it's possible...

It's funny, though: the last couple batches I bought seemed kind of harsh, but the grower while he's been at it a long time doesn't seem like someone who worries about the finer points. I was kind of horrified when I saw his operation (including some nasty Orthro pesticide container sitting nearby--yuck!), part of what inspired me to do it myself from now on. Then a friend who's a big time gardener (but not fussy or knowledgeable about cannabis) gave me a little sample of his harvest and it had that same harshness. I kind of figured these guys didn't really understand how to properly dry and cure, but I did mine by the book and it still isn't silky smooth.

Hard to make corrections if you don't know what to correct!
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
NewEnglandFarmer said:
So what do you suppose is the secret? I remember coming across some amazing-tasting bud back in the eighties and nineties, no idea if it was outdoor or indoor, but it just had this amazing smell and smoked very smooth. Seemed like you tasted terps and not much else. Was hoping I'd be able to achieve those results growing outdoor here but last year's harvest doesn't quite get there.
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I wish I could just say X is the secret but I can't. There are just too many factors to consider. One of them is the soil. Just like coffee grown in different regions have different tastes and characteristics the same is with cannabis. Which is why Northern California and Southern Oregon have been producing great pot for decades. The climate and the soil are perfect for growing cannabis. Although now people are growing in large pots with mixed soil. Years ago it was just grown in the ground.

Also, what did it taste like fresh instead of after months curing?
 
NewEnglandFarmer

NewEnglandFarmer

Well-Known Member
Fresh it was pretty harsh to smoke but that's expected--lots of chorophyll, etc. Although for kicks I vaped a little fresh flower here and there before harvesting and the terps were out of this world delicious.

Maybe I just need to put the damn pipe away and stick with vaping and edibles. I've pretty much quit smoking anyway, was just trying to experience that buttery-smooth toke for old time's sake. But I've largely gone over to tinctures and edibles anyway, with the occasional vape.

It could be the soil. Maine has pretty acidic soil in general--I mixed in a bunch of organic composted cow manure in mine before transplanting in the ground but still, I'm sure it takes on the flavor of that. Maybe this year I'll do one in a fabric pot with just Coast of Maine Stonington Mix and see if that turns out any different.
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
NewEnglandFarmer said:
Fresh it was pretty harsh to smoke but that's expected--lots of chorophyll, etc. Although for kicks I vaped a little fresh flower here and there before harvesting and the terps were out of this world delicious.

Maybe I just need to put the damn pipe away and stick with vaping and edibles. I've pretty much quit smoking anyway, was just trying to experience that buttery-smooth toke for old time's sake. But I've largely gone over to tinctures and edibles anyway, with the occasional vape.

It could be the soil. Maine has pretty acidic soil in general--I mixed in a bunch of organic composted cow manure in mine before transplanting in the ground but still, I'm sure it takes on the flavor of that. Maybe this year I'll do one in a fabric pot with just Coast of Maine Stonington Mix and see if that turns out any different.
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Some of the best tasting pot I've grown were plants I neglected and didn't get fed. Some were grown outside in pots but just watered with the hose and fed maybe 2-3 times the entire grow. I'm of the opinion that we are feeding our plants too much. Sure you might get a bigger yield but plants that have been underfed more than overfed always seem to taste better. At least that's my experience.

You can grow organically and still overfeed. Maybe just roll with soil again this year without adding anything.
 
bam0813

bam0813

Well-Known Member
I knew an old timer that grew outdoors guerrilla style it was the best I've had personally both taste and potency. Think it comes down to genetics and the soil. All I know is soil grown organic always tastes better on my palate.
 
NewEnglandFarmer

NewEnglandFarmer

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
Some of the best tasting pot I've grown were plants I neglected and didn't get fed. Some were grown outside in pots but just watered with the hose and fed maybe 2-3 times the entire grow. I'm of the opinion that we are feeding our plants too much. Sure you might get a bigger yield but plants that have been underfed more than overfed always seem to taste better. At least that's my experience.

You can grow organically and still overfeed. Maybe just roll with soil again this year without adding anything.
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I'm thinking this is the most likely explanation--am planning to cut way, way back this year. Will plant in the same spot as last year, there's plenty of nutrients left in that soil that the plants didn't use up. Probably need to add some nitrogen during veg., but other than that will just water and do the occasional foliar spray.

I used silica some--but not during flower. People swear it makes a healthier, stronger, more disease-resistant plant. Mostly root drench but I think I did a few foliar applications too. Stopped during flower. Maybe that was a factor?
 
Wizzlebiz

Wizzlebiz

Well-Known Member
NewEnglandFarmer said:
I'm thinking this is the most likely explanation--am planning to cut way, way back this year. Will plant in the same spot as last year, there's plenty of nutrients left in that soil that the plants didn't use up. Probably need to add some nitrogen during veg., but other than that will just water and do the occasional foliar spray.

I used silica some--but not during flower. People swear it makes a healthier, stronger, more disease-resistant plant. Mostly root drench but I think I did a few foliar applications too. Stopped during flower. Maybe that was a factor?
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I use silica through flower here to help with heat resistance. It stays hot here thru October.
 
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