As different applications, some growers has different demands for cannabis cultivation. Some persons would like to relieve anxiety, pain, or inflammation; others would like to look for feeling,such as”hip hop“
All these are from two different composition:THC & CBD. CBD mainly applied for relieving anxiety, pain, inflammation, etc in the medical field; THC can bring a sense of thrilled.
Now let us discuss how to increase the THC composition at the process of cannabis cultivation.
1.Suitable strains
The plant's genes determine the upper limit of the plant's potential, and your cultivation techniques only determine whether you can get close to this upper limit. No matter how advanced your cultivation or training methods are, genes directly set the maximum potential of THC and other cannabinoids that the cannabis plant can produce.
For example, the genes of a cannabis variety determine that its THC content can only reach a maximum of 16%. If your cultivation techniques are not in place, the THC content of the final buds may be much lower than this value, but even if you do your best, you can't break through this 16% upper limit.
Therefore, choosing a cannabis seed with a high THC content is the most critical step. Varieties like Girl Scout Cookies have a THC content of up to 25-28%; Bruce Banner, THC content 29%; Strawberry Cough, THC content 25.5%.
2. Lighting control
For cannabis, the intensity, spectrum and cycle of light will affect its THC content.
When cannabis enters the flowering period, set the light time to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. At this time, simulate the short-day environment in autumn, shorten the light, extend the dark time, and stimulate cannabis to produce more flowering hormones.
At this time, you can increase the light intensity and adjust the PPFD value to 1100-1600 µmol/m²/s.
If your wallet supports it, you can also arrange plant lights containing IR and UV, which can enhance the THC content, speed up the plant growth process, better prevent pests and bacteria, increase the amount of resin and improve the quality.
3. Harvest time
We can determine the best harvest time by observing the trichomes of cannabis to avoid premature harvesting, which will result in the THC content not reaching its peak.
Transparent stage: The trichomes are transparent, and the THC content is low and the potency is weak.
Milky stage: The trichomes turn milky white, indicating that the THC content has reached its peak, the cannabis is most potent, and brings a stronger sense of excitement.
Amber stage: The trichomes turn amber, and part of the THC is converted into CBN. The cannabis will have a more sedative and relaxing effect when harvested.
If you want a higher THC content, you can harvest when the trichomes turn milky white.
4. Drying and curing
Although curing and drying do not directly increase the THC content, the THC content is basically determined when the cannabis buds are harvested, but they are important steps to improve the final potency of cannabis.
Drying: It is mainly to remove excess moisture from the cannabis flowers to prevent mold growth. In this process, the THC content will not increase, but it can prevent THC from being converted into other less active compounds such as CBN in a humid environment, reducing the overall potency of cannabis.
Curing: This process usually lasts for several weeks. During this period, the sugar and chlorophyll inside the plant will gradually decompose, reducing the "rough" taste, improving the aroma and taste of cannabis, and making the THC in cannabis reach its best state.
