What exactly does it take to get a high quality end product?
What exactly does it take to get a high quality end product?
Several folks and I have discussed the basics and essentials to get a quality bud that you're proud of. It starts with quality genetics, but handling during its life cycle and environmental factors have a lot to do with the end product. Lights, Nutes, Curing, all critical to plan for optimal results.
We've got your back re: quality genetics, and there are tons on the web to choose from. Garden planning is essential, choices like hydro vs soil, but we're not gonna get into that here. We're going to focus on types and amount of lighting, a little on Nutes, and finish with a bit on curing - Let's get it.
Much new info has come out over the past 5 years, and prices have continued to drop on all the popular forms of lighting. Most anyone can get a decent energy efficient grow light for under $200 these days. Of all the forms out there, there is one factor (which is missing from many LEDs) that contributes a lot to Fat Tight BUDS, and that is UV. Finding LED grow lights with UV in the proper spectrum is expensive in 2021, though may drop as demand increases. NGS likes to supplement a strong LED with double-ended 630w or twin 315w Ceramic Metal Halide bulbs. CMH gives off both UV and IR naturally and has a VERY balanced spectrum, and the bulbs run 20000 hours for only $60-100 each.
How much light do you need to achieve top-quality results? You need 700-900 uMols at the canopy. uMols are the measurement of PAR that pros use and an easy way to measure it using a light meter. These can be expensive, so we recommend installing the app Photone and follow their directions for turning your cellphone into a very accurate light meter. Then use it to set your lights at the proper distance from your plants.
The one thing that we can say about nutes is that they are NOT all the same, some are way better than others, and opinions vary. Another probably well-known fact is that as the plant gets further along in flower, it will consume more and more PPM of nutrients if available. So buy quality, get quality, and be advised to buy 2x the quantity of flowering nutes as you think you may need.
Harvest is important, and handling the buds as little as possible is an easy way to increase the THC levels in the final product. When it comes to curing, we at NGS tend to think about 2 things. If the bud you just harvested and dried isn't smelling good NOW, curing will not really improve that. Most of the time, we like to smoke the bud right after drying. Can be a little harsh, but you can tell right away whether or not a cure will help improve flavors and aromas. There is no real way to accelerate curing. it takes from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on the strain. some really improve with age, like a wine. I find that Super Silver Haze, Quick Monkey, and Dos Manos are like that, they get better over time.
Boveda Bags are a great way to manage the cure and storage of your buds. I like 62% during the initial cure, and 58% for long-term storage. These inexpensive 2-way slow-release water bags are reusable (like 5-6 times) and will help you keep your moisture levels just right.