Understanding how to trim marijuana plants starts with getting the right tools. Here are some important tools you need to trim
your buds to perfection:
- Trimming Shears or Scissors
- Comfortable Chair
- Trimming Trays
- Cleaning Supplies
You might also need something to protect your hands, but if you’re a trimmer who prefers not to use gloves, then it can be a good idea to keep some coconut oil nearby. This will clean your sticky hands naturally while moisturizing them at the same time.
It’s also a good idea to throw on some suitable trimming clothes, as it’s a messy process so you’ll want to wear an outfit that you don’t mind
getting dirty. Trimming is a long process too, so wear something that you feel comfortable in. You can invest in a silk apron if you want to take your trimming experience to a whole new luxurious level.
Types of Trimming
There are two main types of trimming that you can explore: wet or dry. For wet trimming, you trim while the plant is still wet. Dry trimming is more common for large-scale growers, and in this process, you need to cut down the plant and hang it upside down for a few days so that you can trim it when the weed is dry.
Benefits of Wet Trimming
- Easier to cut off fan leaves and sugar leaves when still wet
- Quicker to dry after wet trimming due to lower moisture content
- Less chance of mold, good for humid climates
- Takes up less space – you only dry the buds instead of the whole plant
- The more attractive final product
Benefits of Dry Trimming
- Less messy than wet trimming
- A slow drying process helps maintain a higher terpene content
- Can use dried sugar leaves for edibles
- Don’t need to worry about trimming right after harvesting
How To Trim Marijuana Plants
- Start by cutting off branches with pruning shears. The point is to break down the plant into more manageable pieces to reach its stalk. Cut the stalk off close to the soil. (For dry trimming, hang the pieces of your plant upside down. They’ll be ready for step 2 in 3 – 7 days. For wet trimming, go to step 2 immediately)
- Cut off the fan and sugar leaves. If you’re trimming wet, you might be able to pull the fan leaves off by hand.
- Then, remove the individual buds from the branches, and place them on your trimming tray.
- Now it’s time for the actual trimming. If your buds are really big, then it’s a good idea to break them down into smaller buds to dry more evenly. Start trimming the stem at the bottom of the bud, cutting as close as you can to the stem without actually breaking the bud. Remove the small leaves at the bottom, and trim away any excess plant material.
- Take the time to adjust your scissors as you go to achieve the correct angle, and cut in a continuous motion. Remove everything but the bud, and place the finished buds on a tray.
- For wet trimming, place the buds on a drying rack for a few days. For dry trimming, seal the buds in an airtight container to begin the curing process.
