Often when people think of a potent bud, they envision a bud soaked in resin, but this is not necessarily true. It is very possible to have very potent bud with very little apparent resin, for potency really depends on the cannabinoids in the plant matter. In fact resin is generally non-psychoactive. One-third by weight is water-soluble substances and cellular debris, and another third is resins such as phenoloic and terpenoid polymers, glycerides, and triterpenes. Only one-fourth to one-third is cannabinoids.
About 85% of Cannabinoids are manufactured via synthesis and stored by microscopic resin glands that are on all surfaces of the plant, excluding roots and seeds. The concentration and arrangement will vary depending on species, and typically exist in larger sizes on recreational drug plants.
Trichomes
Trichomes are often considered to be the resin glands of the cannabis plant and determine the potency of the plant. The word Trichomes comes from Latin and means “growth of hair”, though in botany Trichomes are to be diverse structures, with assorted functions, and so can be hairs, glandular hairs, scales and even papillae on the plant. On the hemp plant, Trichomes come in three basic varieties. These are Bulbous, Capitate-Sessile and Capitate-Stalked.
Bulbous are the smallest type, at only 15-30 microns in size. They are considered to be responsible for secreting a resin of cannabinoids and other associated chemicals. They form a small tree-like structure, and during maturity form a papillae, or a nipple-like structure on the top, due to the pressure of resin being pushed out from lower parts of the bulbous. They are found scattered on all surfaces, which are above-ground.
Capitate-Sessile are the mid-sized type, at only 25-100 microns in size. Immature plants do not appear to have stalks, as the heads lie flush to the surface, and are specifically called capitate-sessile, but mature plants are known as capitate. Capitate means to be “globular shaped”, and the capitate heads are certainly that. A cannabinoids rich resin is secreted at the top of the capitate. This resin may be as high as 90% cannabinoids. Capitate are very numerous on all surfaces, which are above-ground.
Capitate-Stalked are the large type, at 150-500 microns in size, and consists of layers of secretory disc cells that give rise to the secretory cavity. The secretory cavity plays a major role in the production of primary and secondary products, such as cannabinoids, but its activities are not known, in either the cannabis plant or any other plant in nature. Capitate-Stalks will appear on female and male plants during growth, but are limited to size until flowering begins, when they will “bloom” and be at their largest. On the female plant, the capitate-stalks will appear on the flower bracts, and also in heavy concentrations on the small leaves that accompany the flowers. On male plants, the capitate-stalks are smaller and are fewer, than on their female counterparts. Though a large row will form on the anthers, or pollen-producing organs.
For evolutionists, the purpose of the trichome, or the reason the cannabis plant evolved to have them, is a topic with many speculations. Of course without understanding the basic activities of the secretory cavity, it is not possible to truly understand their purpose. Some of the current theories require the use of cannabinoids, while others do not, it is possible that all the theories are true in part, or all of them make up the true purpose.
Insect Protection:
Many insects find the thick coating of trichomes unpleasant, this offers a level of protection for the developing seeds.
Animals:
The layer of trichomes and cystolith hairs (similar to bladder stones, calcium carbonate deposits) makes cannabis less palatable to many herbivores & omnivores.
Desiccation:
The layer of trichomes helps to protect the pistilate (female) flower from drying out, while in environments with low humidity levels and/or high wind.
Sunlight: Extensions of the epidermis (outermost layer of skin) of the plant, that provides shade and protection.
UV-B Light: UV-B light is harmful to living things, THC has very high UV-B adsorption properties, thus cannabis evolution may have favored the evolution of genotypes that produced these THC laden capitate-stalked trichomes as a built in 'sun-screen' for protection against UV-B light rays.
Fungal Protection:
Some of the compounds present in the trichomes actually inhibit the growths of some types of fungus.
Humans:
Human modification of the plant , favoring species that produce copious amounts of THC laden Trichomes.
Human Attraction:
Similar to the method that flowers use nectar to attract insects to spread pollen, cannabis exudes resin, to attract people, in order to spread its genetic material around the world.
Capitate-stalked Trichomes, as you now know, is the location of the primary production of cannabinoids. Harvesting Trichomes, is in fact, harvesting the resin, for medical or recreational purposes. The time to harvest, is a debated one, as different growers, strains and environments will have different determinations of when it is best to harvest. In addition, what you are attempting to achieve, will also change the harvesting process for you. For example, if looking to experiment with other cannabinoids, other than THC, harvest times will differ if you are looking for maximum THC content.
Firstly, you must remember that large amounts of trichome production, does not necessarily mean a potent plant. In specific strain, this may increase the chance of a higher potency, but this is by all means, no guarantee.
Secondly, obtain a pocket microscope with at least 25% zoom, so that you can get a closer look at your trichomes. Specifically looking at the secretory cavity, most strains will start off with a clear or slight amber colour, than gradually become opaque or slightly cloudy.
Thirdly, is to determine when you will harvest. Some growers will harvest once the majority of secretory cavities are clear, in order to capture the peak of produced THC cannabinoids. Though, others will wait until half of the cavities turns opaque, which may have a very high THC content, but also have additional types of cannabinoids such as CBN.
It is important to note that the harvesting window will vary, for example with sativa and indica/ Sativa hybrids you may have 10-25 days to harvest, while indica varieties may have between 10-15 days. There is no real danger to the plant in missing the harvesting window, though you may have to wait until the next harvest window to harvest resin with a high THC concentration. There is benefit to the plant and the environment by allowing it to grow for a longer period, and in fact simply collecting resin and allowing the plant to live, is a much better method than chopping up the plant, as you can make pure hash amoungst other things.
arooka
0 Comments