Updated at: 01-06-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

The best technique to improve the taste and smell of your cannabis is to cultivate a strong terpene profile in your buds.

It’s not simply the plant’s genes that matter, believe it or not. There are numerous methods for increasing the terpene content of any cannabis strain.

Terpenes are essential to the health of your cannabis plant, and this tutorial will show you how to make more of them as well as keep them around for the long haul.

Tip #1: Use Nutrients & Soil to Boost Terpenes

There are a number of things you’ll need to know in order to develop enormous, dense, and stinking nugs:

Sugar carbs are the primary source of energy for cannabis plants, providing nutrition to the buds and leaves for the duration of the plants’ existence. Other sugars, on the other hand, serve as cellulose in plants and aid in their structural integrity.

Promoting Terpenes in Cannabis

Developing a plant with a high terpene profile requires a nutrient program that encourages carbohydrates. During the blossoming stage, when energy is needed, sugar carbs are essential.

During the fourth week of flowering, when the plant’s primary purpose is bud formation, it will require the most carbohydrates.

Well-fed cannabis plants produce dense, strong, sticky buds because of the sugar reserves they have stored.

To maximize resin and terpene production, sugar production and reserves must be kept at a maximum.

When it comes to producing terpene-rich blooms, soil is another issue to consider.

Plants grown on soil or compost are said to have stronger aromas and flavors.

Because soil generates a higher terpene-heavy product, regardless of whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors, it’s the ideal option. While hydroponic and aquaponic systems help improve terps, earth is the best medium for growing cannabis because it is native to the plant and is therefore optimal. As a result of the soil’s role in preserving the correct pH and alkaline levels for plant growth, terpene levels rise.

Tip #2: Optimize Light Quality & Exposure

When it comes to plant growth, light is essential. There is no exception to this rule. Sunlight or light exposure is essential for cultivating a flavorful strain.

To ensure that each cola receives the same amount of sunshine as the others, you’ll need a sufficient amount of distance between your plants.

Indoor lighting is just as important; make sure your plants get enough light.

An MH and an HPS sodium lamp used together during blooming can considerably improve the flavor, aroma, and color of the buds. It has even been known to modify the strength of the effects it has on the body.

It’s also no surprise why cannabis grown outdoors is so brightly flavorful, as the natural sunlight’s complex light spectrum offers plants something we can’t with manmade light sources.

Even though too much UV light can harm cannabis plants, a small amount may be sufficient to increase the amount of trichomes produced by the plants. The plant grows trichrome as a defense mechanism against UV-B radiation.

More experienced growers are aware of this trick. It’s usual in cannabis growing to employ artificial light sources like HPS (high-pressure sodium) and LED lamps that lack UV light.

As a result, many indoor growers miss out on the benefits of UV exposure, such as increased trichomes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids.

Tip #3: Low-Stress Training (or LST)

Terpene-rich trichome structures and the terpenes they contain have a dual purpose: to protect the plant from both insects and herbivorous animals. In other words, stressing your plant a little may result in the trichomes compensating to defend themselves—resulting in more fragrant and smelly blooms.

Your plant’s ability to produce terpenes can be severely impacted by even the tiniest amount of stress.

LST can be started as soon as you like. When your plant has reached the vegetative stage and is content, it is ready to be handled. You don’t want to start low-stress training until the plant has developed a few nodes, but you also don’t want to wait too long before starting.

Your plant’s buds will create more trichomes if you tether or prune the lower branches during flowering so that they receive more energy. You can also remove fan leaves surrounding the buds or expose your plant to colder nighttime temperatures to improve the health of your buds.

In order to get the best quality and quantity out of your plants, stress doesn’t imply ignoring their requirements. Stress can have a negative impact on the health of your plants, resulting in decreased yields.

Some farmers choose to turn off all lights two full days before harvest so that the plants are not exposed to any light at all. As a result, the plants will release all of the resin they have stored up in their systems, concentrating it on the buds that have formed. These buds will be encrusted in crystal-like trichomes when harvest time comes around.

Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Flush

You should stop feeding your plants around two weeks before harvest.

Nutrients accumulate in your buds, which will diminish their distinctive scents and flavors. This is why you need to do this. Even if you dry and cure your buds perfectly, you won’t receive the full flavor and aroma of the flower without flushing.

Provide your plants with a source of fresh water, as this will help flush out the excess nutrients and leaving you with a clean, aromatic end result.

As a result, flushing poorly might result in a poor-smelling and tasted final product, as well as an unpleasant smoking experience.

Tip #6: Adjust Temperature & Humidity Levels

Terpene manufacturing can be made more efficient by altering certain environmental conditions. Most importantly, temperature is a factor. Your plant’s trichomes are going to go into overdrive if you lower the temperature of its habitat at night.

In order to avoid stressing your plants and degrading quality and yield, aim for a temperature drop of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

75-80°F (23-26°C) is the ideal temperature for producing cannabis.

Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can have a negative impact on the quality and output of crops. In addition to the possibility of condensation or other humidity-related problems, a drastic drop in temperature between daylight and darkness should be considered.

In a cannabis flowering environment, humidity levels should be between 50% and 60%. Mold and other humidity problems can be reduced by lowering the humidity during the last few weeks of flowering. Terpene output is also boosted.

Tip #7: Harvest With Care

A small amount is all it takes for terpenes to deteriorate. Harvesting too late means you’ll miss out on the flavor and scent punch.

In order to tell if it’s time to harvest, you can look at the color and shape of your buds using a magnifying glass to see whether or not they’re ready.

As a result, harvesting your weed will require extra caution.

In addition to being sensitive to touch, trichomes are fragile, and every time you handle your buds, you risk damaging the terpenes they contain.

Handle your buds gently and minimize the number of times they are moved or touched to prevent trichome destruction. Trimmers should exercise caution and, if at all feasible, hang onto a stem.

Tips For Increasing Terpenes Within Your Marijuana Plants - RQS Blog

Tip #8: Dry & Cure Your Bud Properly

In order to preserve or eliminate terpenes, it is critical to dry and cure your buds properly. Temperatures should be kept low, lights should be turned off, and humidity should be maintained at 45-55 percent at all times. Your buds will become tastier and more delightful to smoke if they are properly cured.

There’s a lot of labor that goes into curing and drying your buds to guarantee that they’re smoky and flavorful after you’ve harvested them. Your buds should be dried for at least two weeks in a cool place. Your delicate terpenes will be damaged if they are exposed to too much heat.

If you have finished drying, you’ll need to cure the items. Maintaining lower temperatures, keeping them in the dark, and a slightly higher humidity level of roughly 55% is required in this step. Your flower’s flavor and aroma will be considerably influenced by this phase.

Common Cannabis Terpenes

Terpenes come in a wide variety of forms, and the distinctive scents of many cannabis strains are closely linked to the sensations that users experience. You may read more about terpenes in our earlier piece.

Myrcene, limonene, linalool, caryophyllene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and alpha-bisabolol are among the most prevalent terpenes discovered in buds.

1. Myrcene

Terpene myrcene is the most prevalent in marijuana. Often, the fragrance of myrcene is nasty with heavy earth and musk undertones, reminiscent of cloves in some ways. It has a fruity undertone that reminds me of grapes. Mangoes, hops, lemongrass, and thyme are some foods that contain it.

Inflammation and chronic pain have been found to be reduced by myrcene. It also has some sedative properties.

2. Limonene

Another common terpene in cannabis is limonene, which is found in a wide variety of strains. Limonene, as the name suggests, has a strong lemon fragrance.

Stress-relieving and mood-enhancing properties of limonene have long been ascribed to it. Antifungal and antibacterial activities may also be present. Increasing the terpene limonene content of your plants may be an effective way to keep mold at bay.

3. Linalool

It is the terpene linalool that gives the classic marijuana aroma its spicy, floral flavor. Lavender, mint, coriander, and cinnamon all contain this terpene.

It has calming effects that might help a user unwind and feel more at ease.

4. Caryophyllene

In cannabis, caryophyllene is the terpene responsible for peppery, spicy aromas. Black pepper, cloves, rosemary, and basil also contain this terpene.

In order to interact with cannabinoid receptors, terpene caryophyllene is the sole option. Possible analgesic and anti-anxiety qualities have been suggested.

5. Alpha-Pinene & Beta-pinene

There are two common terpenes in cannabis that have a pine-like scent: alpha and beta-pinenes. Rosemary, orange peels, and parsley are further sources.

Some believe that pinene terpenes have anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Alpha-Bisabolol

Bisabolol has a floral scent that is pleasing to the nose. Chamomile flowers also contain this terpene. There are cosmetic products that include it.

Antioxidant, anti-irritation, and analgesic characteristics of alpha-bisabolol have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Terpene concentrations will be at an all-time high once plants have finished flowering, so keep this in mind. Increased terpene concentrations result in more flavorful, potent buds, which keep consumers coming back for more. Terpene levels can be affected by a variety of factors, including the plant’s nutrients, the environment, and harvesting methods.

If you want to increase the terpenes in your strain and generate a flavorful and enticing aroma, follow our advice!

What are the highest cannabis terpene levels?

Several factors influence the final terpene level of your marijuana. These include the genetics inherent in your original cannabis seeds, as well as the cultivation and curing methods used.

Caryophyllene was discovered to be the most abundant terpene in Auto Skywalker Haze, accounting for approximately one-tenth of its total amount. Interesting to note is that the sample used in the study yielded high quantities of terpenes as well as an astounding 26.2 percent THC content.

How to increase terpene production in cannabis

Start with high-quality cannabis seeds, and you’ll be on the road to success. Poor genetics can’t generate high-quality buds even even the best growers in the world. Autoflowering seeds and a well-designed grow space are essential to getting the greatest results.

Throughout the growing process, you’ll also want to make sure the nutrition is optimized by avoiding overfeeding or underfeeding. Here are a few of our favorite tips for getting your next cannabis crop to produce more terpenes.

Choose terpene-rich cannabis seed genetics

Only a few Euros/Dollars/Pounds per seed separates the best and worst cannabis seeds. However, the ultimate crop’s worth might vary dramatically depending on how it is treated. The greatest place to begin a cannabis grow is with the best cannabis seeds you can afford.

Know when to harvest based on trichomes

The trichome resin glands are where cannabis terpenes can be found. You want to avoid harvesting too early or too late for optimal potency. In order to maximize terpene and cannabinoid content, harvesting the plant too early will hinder the plant’s biochemistry. The trichomes begin to turn amber if they are harvested too late, as their contents begin to decompose.

Control the light cycles and intensity at all time

It’s not easy or cheap to get your grow room illumination just right. LED lights are preferred by professionals over HPS. LED has better potency and taste than HPS, hence its quality is superior. In the long run, the LED lights pay for themselves through higher prices for the higher-quality harvests.

Light intensity is mapped across the grow room by professional growers, and additional lights are added in locations where there is a lack of light. A high-quality LED grow light is perhaps the best single grow room upgrade any cannabis farmer can make. Hanging lights for different phases of growth might be recommended by good manufacturers.

The value of organic nutrients

The use of organic nutrients is preferred by many gardeners in order to generate the most aromatic and appealing buds. High-quality growers recognized for their terpene-packed buds frequently employ organic fertilizers. In addition to delivering a pleasant scent, a natural approach can also make nutrition a lot easier.

Two of the most common causes of plant stress and poor harvest quality are underfeeding and overfeeding (particularly by less experienced gardeners). If you’re utilizing an organic nutrient line like BioTabs, water is usually all your plant needs to be fed. Organic nutrients that are slowly released provide the plant with all of the nutrition it requires.

A rich terpene profile is not the only benefit of using organic nutrients; they can also assist ensure that your plants stay in the nutrient sweet spot throughout the growing process.

Quality organic, living soil

No soil is better for growing cannabis than a high-quality organic living one. Bacteria, fungal, protozoa and nematodes are only some of the living organisms that can be found in the soil. It’s a natural approach to increase the flavor and terpene content of your cannabis, and many growers find it beneficial.

Lower night temperatures in bloom and flushing

Lowering the temperature of your air extraction system in the evening while your plant is in bloom is thought to help maintain the plant’s terpenes. In addition, some producers believe that rinsing your cannabis is necessary in order to remove extra minerals and nutrients, which in turn improves the flavor.

Flushing, on the other hand, is not universally supported, as some believe it deprives plants of vital nutrients during a crucial time in their lifecycles.

Low stress and cannabis terpene increases

When it comes to cannabis production, some producers believe that a small amount of plant stress is beneficial. To put it another way, low stress methods like as training or tying down your plants (or even defoliating them) can increase terpene levels without negatively impacting them.

Master the art of curing cannabis

To preserve as many of the valuable terpenes as possible, dry your cannabis slowly and attentively. Most of the tasty terpenes will be lost if you try to dry your cannabis in hot conditions. If you want your crop to be of the highest quality, avoid’speed drying’ it or drying it in direct sunlight (such as in your grow tent with the lights on).

Consider UVA & UVB light supplementation

Other from the sun or plasma lights, grow room lights typically contain very little UVA and UVB radiation. A UVA/UVB light may be beneficial to your grow room if you use LED, ceramic metal halide, or HPS.

Terpene and cannabinoid content is believed to be enhanced by UVA/UVB light. When exposed to UVA/UVB light, clones can produce up to a 50% increase in their terpene content. A Migro UVB 310 fixture provided UVA and UVB illumination.

Increasing cannabis terpenes with blue light treatment

The use of blue light treatment to improve the concentration of cannabis terpenes is popular among growers. For the latter several days of bloom, a light spectrum with a blue predominance is employed. However, by the time the flowers are done blooming, they should already be quite large.

Blue light, on the other hand, is supposed to help your plants create more terpenes by directing their metabolic energy toward this goal. In order to boost the amount of cannabis terpenes and, consequently, the monetary value of their crop, some commercial producers utilize blue-dominant ceramic metal halide (or “CMH”) in the last days of harvest.

How To Increase Terpenes In Cannabis. 3 Best Tips - Krostrade

Grow Spec, California Lightworks, and similar companies make spectrum-adjustable LED grow lights, so they, too, can benefit from the blue light therapy. Allowing the plants to benefit from the blue light treatment for a few more (e.g. 2-3) days, the red LEDs are turned off.

Effect of blue light treatment on Auto Cinderella Jack, 21% THC and 1.6% total terpene content

There has been a lot of recent research on this topic. Auto Cinderella Jack and other exceptional autoflowering seeds have been the focus of Dutch Passion’s THC-maximization efforts.

When Dutch Passion’s Auto Cinderella Jack had 25.9 percent THC, it was the company’s highest ever THC level. Until recently. High terpene levels (about one percent or higher of the total dry buds) are commonly seen in plants grown under optimal conditions, which is fascinating. Cannabinoid profiles and terpene levels are enhanced, showing that superior genetics have been given ample room to flourish.

Auto Cinderella Jack was developed with blue light therapy for the final few days, and the lab analysis chart (below) shows the results. The cured buds had a total terpene concentration of 1.6 percent. This has a high terpene content, maybe three to four times higher than that seen in poorer quality plants. Terpene concentrations in the buds of this strain were likewise exceptionally high, with 21 percent THC. When it comes to flavor, aroma, and THC levels, the best genetics can produce the best results.

For the finest yields, producers that are connoisseurs recommend purchasing the best cannabis seeds. But you must also take care of them! Optimized lighting, nutrition, and the surrounding environment are all part of this, as are high-quality genetics from the start.

Best cannabis seed terpenes profile

Grow conditions, lighting, and genetics may all be optimized to maximize terpene content and total cannabinoid levels in your cannabis. As well as knowing the optimal drying/curing conditions, you must also consider nutrition and your attitude toward an organic approach.

Ideally, most home growers strive for high amounts of THC as well as potent fragrances that make you gasp in joy when you first open their jars.

Certain growers place a high value on the bouquet’s scent.

They are recognized for their delicious, citrus-scented buds. • The Orange family of cannabis seeds.

This strain’s terpene profiles, which are known for their extreme potency and intense flavor, have made Skunk seeds legendary.

• USA Special cannabis seeds have some of the most pronounced flavors and terpenes of any cannabis seed available!

Cannabis seeds from the Afghani Kush variety are known to produce some particularly potent hashish aromas.

• The terpenes of Blue Family cannabis seeds are to die for, with luscious fruit and dark berry flavors.

Some of the new Special cannabinoids cannabis seed collection’s terpene profiles include an unusually high concentration of cannabis.

THC-Victory, the world’s first commercially accessible THCV-rich strain, has terpene levels of roughly 1% in the cured buds, according to recent lab analysis charts. This is more than double the average and may be a hint that some of the new unique cannabis genotypes also produce high terpene profiles intrinsically.

Final Thoughts: Boosting Terpene Content in Your Cannabis

As a quick refresher, fertilizers and soil play a significant impact in determining the terpene composition of your buds. Another important consideration is the amount and quality of light being used. With some low-stress training approaches, you’ll also want to stress your flower out a little.

In order to enhance, maintain, and optimize your terpene production, it is critical to flush, carefully manage temperature and humidity, and pay attention to the harvesting, drying, and curing processes.

Terpene levels are a good indicator of the quality of a bud. To get the most out of your next grow, you’ll want to experiment with all of the methods we’ve outlined above.