Trichomes are tiny, glass mushrooms that grow all over the buds. Sometimes, you can also see these delicate structures all over the sugar leaves, stems, and some leaves. Trichomes are a blessing for growers as weed covered in thick trichomes means only one thing: you’re on your way to a very tasty, potent cannabis experience! These are also reasons why many are thinking about how to increase trichome production in cannabis plants.
Before we start, take note that trichome production varies from strain to strain. Some cannabis strains are very generous, capable of producing a thick blanket of trichomes just days before harvest time while some have only a few. Experts say you can increase trichome production no matter what strain you have used some time-tested techniques. Here are a few of them.
How to increase trichome production?
1. Use the best soil for cannabis growing
Start your grow right by using only the best soil. We recommend organic soil because this is loaded with the best nutrients to help keep your plants healthy and productive. A typical organic soil system contains the following nutrients needed by all plants, including marijuana plants:
- Nitrogen – this element is necessary for plant food production (photosynthesis) and will help build strong plant parts.
- Potassium – this element is also needed for plant food production, enzyme activations, and the movement of water.
- Phosphorus – this element is crucial in the energy production of plants and for the overall health of plants especially during flowering.
- Magnesium – this element facilitates the movement of phosphorus and is needed for plant food production.
- Calcium – this element is necessary for cell wall support and the overall integrity of plants even in harsh conditions.
- Manganese – this micronutrient is necessary for metabolism, water reaction in photosynthesis, and overall plant health.
- Boron –this nutrient is important in maintaining the functional and structural integrity of plant cells.
- Iron – this element is necessary for chlorophyll production and maintaining oxygen movement throughout the different plant parts.
- Zinc – this element is also needed for chlorophyll formation and plant robustness especially in cold environments.
When you use organic soil, you may not need fertilizers or supplements anymore. Make sure to maintain soil and root pH at a constant 6.6 as this is the ideal pH to move nutrients from the soil to the roots. Monitor pH regularly and correct it as necessary.
2. Use the best lighting
One of the reasons why successful growers are very keen on providing good lighting is to boost trichome production. These growers pay very close attention to the type of lighting, intensity, distance, and the reflective material used.
There are many types of cannabis lamps available in the market. We recommend LED lamps or CFL bulbs during the growing phase and HID lamps during the flowering phase. You may use HID lamps throughout the lifespan of your plants but you must carefully monitor temperature as these lamps tend to get very hot.
A formula of 1 gram per 1 watt of lighting is usually followed but always consider the heat dissipated by your lamps. Also, use efficient reflective material to reflect lighting to your plants. Some of the best kinds of reflective material are acrylic white paint. White sheets, Mylar sheets, and white paper.
Finally, the distance of the lamps is to be considered. How close your lamps to your plants depends on your judgment. If you think that the lamp is too hot then you may want to place it farther away; we’re trying to illuminate your plants, not burn them!
3. Use a watering schedule
Water is needed by plants to move nutrients from the soil or growing medium to the roots, therefore, it’s crucial that you maintain a good watering schedule every day.
Using correct soil with good water holding and draining properties is needed. We recommend sandy-clayey soil as this can hold water because of its clay content and effectively drain water away from the roots as well because of its sand content.
If you’re growing outdoors, water during the early morning when the sun is not yet at its peak. This will give plenty of time for your plants to absorb water. If you’re growing cannabis indoors, water your plants only when the soil is dry and high and not when it’s wet and moist.
Keep a schedule and never miss watering. Take note that watering can increase the humidity inside a growing tent or cabinet so make sure to leave the door or window open just a few minutes after you water to avoid increasing humidity levels.
4. Maintain correct temperature and humidity
Use a digital thermometer and hygrometer to monitor your grow room stats. An outdoor measuring tool may also be used to check the outdoor temperature and humidity levels.
Indoors, correct any changes in temperature and humidity as quickly as possible. Never let high humidity pass as this can encourage the growth of mold and mildew inside your growing area. Mold is very dangerous and can claim the life of your buds; all your hard work wasted! Remove moisture inside the growing area and open a window or door to reduce moisture levels.
Correct lamp positioning to improve temperature inside the growing area. Improve air ventilation to prevent temperature build-up.
5. Provide the best cannabis nutrition
If you must feed your cannabis plants, we recommend organic nutrients. It’s not enough to provide nutrients during the flowering phase but you need to build up plant nutrition starting from the growing phase.
Start with growing nutrients Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Nitrogen is needed in higher concentrations during the vegetative stage as this helps support plant growth and the development of new branches, stems, and leaves. Potassium and Phosphorus are also crucial at this point but not in large amounts.
Phosphorus and Potassium are very important during the flowering phase as these improve bud size and density and will help boost trichome production. If you want to improve trichomes, we recommend using good quality fertilizers and supplements rather than use a DIY compost system. These commercially-prepared food have correct amounts of nutrients and thus, mistakes are out of the question.
Now that you know how to increase trichome production, you may now confidently grow your cannabis plants and get the best trichome yield.
