When and how to trim buds

Trimmed buds are not just an aesthetic matter. If you know how to trim correctly, the flowers better preserve their terpenes, offer a more even burn, and reduce the risk of mold during drying and curing.

What does trimming buds mean?

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Trimming consists of removing excess leaves from the buds after harvest. Mainly, the following are removed:

• The large leaves 
• The small leaves close to the bud 
• Plant debris that affects drying and flavor

As we have said before, although it may seem like a simple aesthetic job, trimming directly influences:

• The aroma
• The flavor
• The preservation of terpenes
• The potency
• The smoothness of the smoke
• The prevention of mold and humidity

The Green Brand gives you all the details to trim your buds simply and effectively in this post. Keep reading to improve your harvest results!

When to trim buds: wet or dry?

One of the big questions after harvesting marijuana is when to trim the buds. There are two main methods to clean your flowers:

Wet-trimmed buds

Wet trimming is done immediately after cutting the plant, before drying. This way of trimming buds has some advantages:

• Leaves are removed more easily
• The work is faster
• Reduces accumulated humidity in humid climates
• Facilitates even drying

However, wet-trimmed buds also have disadvantages: 

• The buds are stickier and harder to handle
• Trichomes can be lost by touching the flower too much
• Drying is usually faster, which is negative in dry environments

Dry-trimmed buds

In this case, the buds are dried first and trimmed several days later. That is, once the harvest is collected, they are dried with the leaves, and then cleaned. 

Many experienced growers prefer to perform bud cleaning dry because it helps to better preserve the resin and the aromatic profile of the marijuana.

Which method is better for obtaining trimmed buds?

There is no single correct answer. The best option between wet or dry trimming depends on:

• Ambient humidity
• Temperature
• Drying space
• Amount of harvest
• Grower experience

As a general rule:

• Humid climates → wet trimming
• Dry climates → dry trimming

Many growers even combine both methods: they remove the large leaves first and leave the fine trimming for after drying.

How to trim buds correctly

Regardless of whether it is done dry or with some humidity, obtaining perfect trimmed buds requires following these steps: 

Remove the large leaves

Start by removing the fan leaves. These contain few trichomes and make both drying and fine trimming difficult. The ideal is to cut them from the base with sharp scissors.

Work bud by bud

Separating the branches facilitates a more precise cut and avoids handling the flowers too much. In fact, a common mistake is to squeeze the buds continuously while cutting the leaves. Be especially careful with this, as it can cause the trichomes to detach from the flowers and will reduce the quality of the final product.

Use clean and sharp scissors

Resin accumulates quickly on tools during bud trimming. So, clean the scissors regularly and avoid imprecise cuts.

Respect the natural shape of the bud

It is not advisable to over-trim the buds. Excessive trimming can remove valuable trichomes and affect both aroma and potency. The goal is to remove excess leaf, not to deform the flower.

What tools do I need to trim buds?

Actually, you don’t need very special tools to trim buds.

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Unless you want to facilitate the whole process with a bud trimmer, you can clean your flowers with the following tools:

Trimming scissors

This will be the fundamental tool to be able to clean your buds correctly. You can choose one of them or use several different models to obtain an optimal result: 

• Fine-tip scissors: These are the most recommended scissors if you want to do precise work and detailed cleaning of the bud.
• Curved scissors: They facilitate the cleaning of the bud by following its natural shape.
• Spring-loaded scissors: They are more comfortable in long processes, as they will prevent you from getting too tired. 

Whatever scissors you choose to clean your buds, the important thing is that they are sharp, keep them clean to facilitate cutting, and that they are comfortable for you. 

Nitrile or latex gloves

Gloves will prevent you from getting your hands dirty, contaminating the buds, and losing trichomes. Also, you can take advantage of the resin that remains stuck to the gloves later. 

Trimming tray

Using a tray during this process will help you keep the area clean and avoid loss of trichomes. In fact, some of these trays include a kind of grid or filter mesh to separate the resinous leaves from the pollen or other useful particles. 

Drying nets or racks

They are used to dry the buds evenly, and they are really useful when wet trimming. They allow air to circulate, prevent the risk of mold, and optimize space.

Isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is essential for the proper cleaning of the necessary tools. Use it regularly so that hardened resin does not make cutting difficult or damage the buds. 

Airtight glass jars

Although the jars are not a direct part of the cleaning process, they are essential to properly preserve your clean buds.

These jars will help you cure your buds, keep their terpenes and aroma intact, and control humidity. 

Dehumidifier or humidifier

In drying spaces, using special products for humidity and temperature control will help you avoid mold or drying too quickly. In short, using these tools will prevent the loss of terpenes.

Ideal temperature and humidity during trimming and drying

Temperature is one of the most important factors for preserving terpenes and cannabinoids.

Why does temperature matter so much?

When drying happens too quickly:

• Terpenes evaporate
• Smoke becomes harsh
• The bud loses aroma

In contrast, excessively slow drying favors the appearance of mold and fungi.

What to do with the leftovers?

The small leaves covered in resin still contain cannabinoids and terpenes. Therefore, these leftovers can still be useful for:

• Making extractions
• Making hash
• Making marijuana butter 
• Oils
• Edibles