Marijuana Harvest Lacking Aroma: What's The Reason?

There are many reasons why your marijuana harvest might not have a strong weed aroma. The most common reason is improper curing, which can cause the cannabis to develop a hay-like aroma. Other reasons include the age of the cannabis plant, poor storage, genetics, and contaminants. To prevent this from happening, it is important to maintain proper temperatures, humidity levels, and air circulation during the drying process. Additionally, using a cannabis-specific dryer or air-drying in a cardboard box or paper bag can help prevent hay smell.

Incomplete curing

Proper Drying:

• After harvesting, hang your cannabis plants upside down in a lightly ventilated space with gentle air circulation. A dry tent or room with an air conditioner set to the lowest setting is ideal.
• Maintain a humidity level between 45-55% to prevent bud rot and mould growth. You can use a dehumidifier to achieve the desired humidity level.
• Keep the temperature around 60-70°F (15-20°C). Avoid high temperatures, as room temperature is best for drying.
• Use drying racks or cardboard boxes to ensure proper air circulation around the buds. This will help prevent mould growth and maintain the desired humidity level.
• Dry the buds until the small stems snap instead of bend. This indicates that the buds are fully dry and ready for the next step.

Effective Curing:

• Transfer the dried buds to airtight containers, preferably glass mason jars.
• "Burp" the jars daily for the first week by opening them to allow fresh air in and release built-up moisture.
• Use humidity-control packs, such as Boveda packs, to maintain the ideal humidity level inside the jars. This will help prevent mould growth and preserve the terpene profile.
• Store the jars in a cool, dark place to prevent the degradation of essential oils and terpenes.

Patience:

• Curing is a slow process, and rushing it can lead to poor results. Allow the buds to cure for at least two weeks, but longer cures of up to a month are often preferred for the best results.
• During the curing process, monitor the moisture content inside the jars with a hygrometer. Maintain the humidity level between 55-65% to ensure a proper cure.

Storage:

• After curing, store your buds in a cool, dark place to prevent the degradation of terpenes and other organic compounds.
• Avoid using plastic or paper bags for long-term storage, as they can accelerate the loss of terpenes and negatively impact the aroma.

By following these instructions and being patient, you can avoid incomplete curing and improve the aroma, flavour, and overall quality of your marijuana harvest.

Poor storage

• Avoid plastic containers. Plastic can cause buds to "sweat" and promote mould growth. Plastic also tends to have a static charge that will cause trichomes (the cannabinoid- and terpene-rich hairlike glands on cannabis flowers) to fall off the buds and stick to the sides of the container.
• Avoid containers that are too big. Even if your jar is airtight, too much extra space inside can lead to oxidation issues.
• Don't store your harvest in the refrigerator or freezer. This can force the moisture of the plant to the surface and break down the trichomes, reducing potency.
• Avoid cigar humidors. They are typically lined with cedar wood, which can make your weed taste like cedar. The oils in the wood also tend to harm cannabis.
• Avoid large glass jars. While glass is a good storage option, large glass jars may leave too much air inside the container, leading to oxidation.
• Avoid direct sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) light will degrade your weed over time.
• Keep containers in a cool, dark place. High temperatures can cause your cannabis to dry out and terpenes to evaporate.
• Maintain proper humidity levels. Ideally, store your harvest with relative humidity between 59% and 63% RH. High humidity can introduce moisture back into the flowers, leading to mould and bacteria growth. Low humidity, on the other hand, can cause your cannabis to become fragile and brittle.

Contaminants

The cannabis plant can be host to a variety of organisms, including pathogenic microbial contaminants, such as bacteria and fungi. The most common contaminants of cannabis preparations are microbes, heavy metals, and pesticides.

Microbial Contamination

Microbial contamination occurs during the improper preparation and storage of cannabis products. For example, harvesting while wet, drying and storing under wet, humid conditions can lead to fungal infections such as powdery mildew and botrytis, and budworm or mite infestations.

The pathogenic microbial species isolated from cannabis preparations can result in infections and present a potential outbreak risk. For example, there have been several case reports of fungal spore contaminants, including mycotoxin-producing strains of Aspergillus, in immunocompromised patients linked to findings of cannabis contaminated by fungal spores.

Heavy Metal Contamination

There are three pathways through which cannabis may be contaminated with heavy metal substances:

• Cannabis is able to remove heavy metals from substrate soils and deposit these in its tissues, by virtue of its bioaccumulative capacity.
• Cross-contamination may occur during processing (e.g., during drying).
• Post-processing adulteration may occur, whereby metals may be added to the preparation to increase weight and thereby appreciate its street value.

Fertilizer uptake from soil is an important source of heavy metal contamination in cannabis. For example, phosphate fertilizers rich in cadmium are readily taken up by most plants including cannabis.

Pesticide Contamination

Pesticide use for the cultivation of cannabis crops is well-established. Human consumption of pesticides may confer substantial sequelae, including malignancy, developmental issues, reproductive, neurological and endocrine disorders.

Human Toxicity of Cannabis Contaminants

The potential human toxicity profile of cannabis consumption encompasses acute morbidity; acute myocardial infarction, cerebellar infarction, infections, or psychomotor changes, as well as longer-term morbidity; pulmonary disease, immune dysfunction, testicular cancer, reproductive issues, teratogenicity, and psychiatric disease.

Minimizing Potential Deleterious Effects

Use of purified single cannabinoid extracts might hold the potential to circumvent some of the human toxicity associated with consumption of whole cannabis extracts.

Improper curing

Curing is an essential step in the preservation of the flavour, aroma, and shelf life of cannabis. It is a process that stops the natural breakdown of cannabinoids in the buds and preserves the levels of THC and terpenes. Curing also helps to increase the flavour and aroma of the buds, as well as protecting them against bacteria.

Maintaining the Right Humidity and Temperature

Curing cannabis is a delicate process that requires maintaining the right humidity and temperature levels. The ideal humidity levels for curing cannabis are between 45% and 65%, and the temperature should be kept between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions help prevent the growth of bacteria and mould, which can negatively affect the quality and aroma of the buds.

Curing Containers

It is important to use proper curing containers, such as glass mason jars, to ensure the curing process is effective. The containers should be airtight and filled to about 75% capacity to allow for adequate air circulation. It is also recommended to use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity and temperature levels during the curing process.

Burping

"Burping" is an essential part of the curing process. It involves opening the curing containers once or twice a day during the first week and then less frequently in the following weeks. This process allows for the release of moisture and the replenishment of oxygen inside the containers, which is crucial for optimal curing.

Curing Time

The curing process can take varying amounts of time, depending on the specific strain and curing conditions. On average, curing cannabis takes between two to four weeks, but some strains may benefit from longer curing times of up to six months or more. It is important to monitor the buds regularly during the curing process to ensure they are curing properly and to prevent over-drying or mould growth.

Genetics

When choosing a strain, opt for cultivars with fruity, skunky, or earthy scents if you prefer more flavour. For instance, Somango XL, a cross between Somango and Critical 47, is known for its high concentration of fruity terpenes and a THC level of 18%. Sundae Driver, a cross between Fruity Pebbles OG and Grape Pie, has a terpene profile that includes berries, earth, and vanilla.

Additionally, consider strains that are specifically bred for their terpene profiles. Royal Queen Seeds' Royal Bluematic, a cross between Blueberry and a high-performing ruderalis specimen, is an autoflowering cultivar with a terpene profile that includes fruit, blueberry, and earth. It also has a high yield potential, making it a great choice for growers.

While genetics play a crucial role in the aroma of your harvest, it's important to note that improper curing, age, poor storage, contaminants, and drying conditions can also impact the smell of your marijuana.

Frequently asked questions