Growing and processing hemp for the trim flower business is becoming more popular in Vermont. Programmatic requirements for the Vermont Hemp Program are reviewed as registrants move their attention to manufacturing this high-value hemp product.
Getting rid of the parts of the plant that don't have any terpenes helps concentrate the terpenes on a bud. Despite having some trichomes, these five-pointed leaves that emerge from the bud are nowhere like as densely covered in them as those on the bud itself.
For many gardeners, trimming is either their favorite or their least favorite chore. Trimming the flowers is the final step in the process of creating the products that the growers want, after all the hard work they've put in. When preparing themselves and their teams for the impending post-harvest event, growers must take a number of factors into account. With the goal of generating high-quality marijuana, growing cannabis plants is not a simple task. Trimming is one of the most critical processes in the process. You trim the bloom after harvesting it and preparing it for consumption.
Cannabis farmers employ two types of trimming: wet trimming and dry trimming, which are both seemingly simple. Both approaches, wet and dry, have their advantages and disadvantage. Wet versus dry trimming your cannabis plant is crucial since it affects potency, smoothness for smoking and the risk for mold. When it comes to trimming, it all comes down to personal style and experience.
Understanding the difference between dry trimming and wet trimming can help you pick which is best for you.
Wet Trimming
Wet trimming refers to the process of trimming the cannabis crop before it is dried. Once the buds have been harvested, the leaves should be cut off as soon as possible. Before you begin trimming, you must first cut the plant down and hang it to dry for a few days, leaving the leaves and all.
- Wet trimming is more convenient. When the sugar and fan leaves are still wet, it is much easier to remove them. These leaves shrivel up when they are allowed to dry out in the sun. Cutting time is reduced because of the ease with which it can be done.
- Without all the leaves connected, cannabis buds dry out more quickly, as the leaves retain moisture.
- Mold is less likely to form between the stalk and the blossom as a result of the faster drying time. Humid climates pose a greater risk. Don't forget to keep an eye out for mold. It takes up less space because you don't have to hang the whole plant up to dry with wet trimming.
- Trimming with water causes the buds to swell, enhancing their visual appeal. This is critical for growers who sell flower, as customers often make purchases based on the appearance of the buds. Due to the plant's stickiness, some growers believe that wet trimming preserves the trichomes. The final product's terpenes (flavor) can be preserved in this way.
Dry Trimming:
The dry trimming procedure offers a number of advantages as well, which is why the dry trim vs wet trim issue is difficult to resolve. Despite the fact that it is widely considered to be less efficient than wet pruning, many consider it to be more effective. Dry trimming has many advantages.
- Because of the outer foliage retains moisture, dry trimming gives cannabis farmers more control over drying speed. They will not dry out too rapidly as a result.
- As the buds are drying, the moisture is retained, allowing them to dry at a proper rate. Potency and terpenes can be preserved in this way.
- Why Smoking dry-trimmed cannabis is a more enjoyable experience. If buds are allowed to dry for an extended period of time, more chlorophyll is lost, which results in superior flavor. Trimming can be less stressful if you choose for dry trimming because you can take your time.
- The buds are less sticky when dry-trimmed, so it's less of a mess. Reduces the bud's attachment level to everything they encounter.
WHICH TRIMMING PROCESS SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Dry trimming is faster, more efficient and takes up less space than wet. As a result, it's a superior option for beginners. A newbie grower has a better chance of success if he or she does not have to worry about mold or lack experience pruning sugar leaves.
Dry trimming is better suited to experienced growers with ample drying area for huge harvests, as it is more difficult and takes up more space. Dry trimming has many advantages, including better-quality cannabis and a smoother burn. When it comes to dealing with some of the challenges that arise from dry trimming, experience and wisdom are essential.
Think about the weather in your area to see which strategy is ideal for you. In a dry region, a less experienced trimmer can get away with dry cutting a tiny harvest because mold and space aren't an issue. When it comes to controlling mold, even the most skilled trimmer may struggle. When it comes to wet vs. dry trimming, this information should help you make an educated decision regarding which method is most suited for your particular situation.
A BUD TRIMMING MACHINE:
In order to separate the leaves from the bud of a marijuana plant, you need to use a bud trimming machine. It is possible to use buckers (destemmers) in conjunction with other harvest automation equipment to produce a nearly fully automated harvest operation. When it comes to speed and efficiency, even using a trimmer can make the process a lot easier and less time-consuming.
Often referred to as marijuana trimmers, bud trimmers can be used for both wet and dry trimming. In addition, bud trimmer machines may be purchased at a wide range of pricing points—they aren't just for professional producers. A sea full of green might be difficult even for the most experienced gardener. In general, smaller manual machines are less expensive than bigger automated ones, but they are also more compact and more suited to confined places than their larger counterparts.
The ideal bud trimmer for you will be determined by how many plants you intend to trim, whether you want to harvest wet or dry, and whether you prefer a manual or automatic type that can be operated by either hand or foot.
With a few cranks of a handle, these devices can trim a large number of buds. Using this procedure, the buds are swiftly groomed and ready for ingestion. Before putting them in the bowl trimmer, you'll still have to remove the fan leaves. If you use a machine to trim your buds, be careful not to remove too many trichomes, since this can reduce their strength and flavor.
What is the purpose of trimmers in the agricultural industry?
Time-Saver:
The most significant benefit of a bud trimmer is that it is quick and easy to use. By hand, a single individual might expect to spend anything from four to ten hours trimming a pound of flower. There are some devices capable of removing up to 172 pounds of buds every hour in combination! A game-changer, not merely a major difference. Time savings of this magnitude can have a significant positive influence on your bottom line for commercial growers. You may repurpose the cutting time your employees would have spent into more important duties, such as packaging, marketing, or distribution.
To Reduce Costs:
In addition to saving time and effort, a bud trimmer machine is cost effective as well. Even while buying a trimmer costs money, you won't need to hire as many people to manually trim as you would if you used a trimmer. As a bonus, you won't have to worry about spoilage because your skeleton team couldn't get the trimming done quickly enough. As a plus, you won't have to deal with those who don't show up, or worse, those who steal from you.
Reducing your labor costs will lower your overhead and hence increase your profit margins. You may even be able to increase your production rate by minimizing the time it takes to get your product out of the factory and on the market. Using a bud trimmer is a great way to save time and money.
To Ensure Uniformity:
In addition, the buds are more uniform when using a bud trimming machine. Many people will be involved in hand trimming, especially if the crop is huge, which necessitates a wide range of expertise and effort. Product variation can occur even if you run a tight ship with thorough quality control, which adds even more time to the harvesting process. All buds are cut in the same way by the machine, so that the final result will be consistent. That's what matters to your customers. The only way a machine trim can beat a hand trim is if the user has superior skill. So long as you acquire a nice machine, you don't have to worry about it being terrible at its job.