Recognising and avoiding mould on buds
Recognising and avoiding mould on buds
How to protect your harvest
Recognising mould on buds
When you've spent weeks caring for your plants with love and patience, there are few things worse than suddenly discovering mould during drying. A single infested bud can ruin your entire harvest - and in the worst case, even be harmful to your health. That's why it's crucial that you recognise mould early on and know how to prevent it.
The main causes
Why buds go mouldy when drying
Mould doesn't just happen, there is always a cause that encourages it. When drying buds, it is usually these factors:
- High humidity: if the ambient air is too humid, the water in the buds does not evaporate quickly enough, creating perfect conditions for mould.
- Poor air circulation: If the air is stagnant and moisture builds up, mould spores can spread unhindered.
- Too close together: If the buds hang too close together or lie on top of each other, moisture collects between them.
- Temperature problems: Excessively high temperatures not only encourage mould, but can also ruin the aroma of the buds.
If you want to avoid mould, you need to keep an eye on all these factors - but more on that later.
How to recognise mould on buds
Mould can be tricky. Sometimes you can see it immediately, sometimes it is only visible on closer inspection. You should keep an eye out for these signs:
- Colour changes: Healthy buds are green, sometimes with purple or orange hues. Mould often shows up as a whitish-grey or bluish coating.
- Unusual texture: If your buds feel moist or crumbly when they should be dry, this may be a sign of mould.
- Fuzz or furry layer: If your bud looks like it's covered in a fine, cotton-like layer, you should take a closer look.
- Musty or sweet odour: Healthy buds have an intense, pleasant aroma, but if they smell musty, mouldy or unnaturally sweet, this is a warning sign.
If you're not sure whether a bud is mouldy, it's better to be on the safe side - consuming mouldy cannabis can have serious health consequences.
The best methods to prevent mould when drying
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to protect your buds from mould. Here are the most important rules for safe and effective drying:
- The right humidity: keep the humidity constant between 50 and 60 per cent, using a hygrometer to help you monitor the levels accurately.
- Optimum temperature: The ideal temperature is between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures speed up the drying process, but can also destroy the terpenes .
- Good air circulation: Make sure that the air in your drying room is always moving, but avoid direct fan flow onto the buds.
- Sufficient space: Hang or place the buds in such a way that they do not touch each other so that the moisture can escape evenly.
- Keep it dark: Light and UV rays can affect the quality of your buds, so a dark, well-ventilated room is ideal.
What to do if you discover mould?
Despite all precautionary measures, mould can still form, in which case you need to act quickly:
- Remove affected buds immediately: Even if only a small part appears to be affected, you should no longer use it. Mould often spreads invisibly.
- Check the rest of the harvest: Inspect all other buds carefully and if they show signs of mould or smell suspicious, dispose of them as well.
- Adjust indoor climate: If you have discovered mould, the humidity was probably too high. Adjust your conditions to prevent further infestation.
- Wash hands and clean surfaces: Mould spores can settle anywhere, so clean your hands, tools and the drying room thoroughly.
Mould is avoidable - with the right preparation
Mould is a nightmare for every grower, but with the right conditions you can prevent it. The perfect mix of humidity, temperature and ventilation ensures that your buds dry optimally without losing quality.
Stay alert, check your harvest regularly and enjoy what you've worked so hard for - mould-free, perfectly dried buds.