Applying terpene profiles to cannabis buds is a way to enhance the aromatic quality of harvests that, for one reason or another, have lost their exquisite fragrance. Terpenes are organic compounds found in most plants and fruits, including cannabis, and they are responsible for its unique aroma and flavor.
Although terpenes are naturally produced in the trichomes of cannabis flowers, they can sometimes be lost for various reasons, mainly due to errors when growing or adverse environmental conditions. This article explains the reasons for this and how to properly apply terpenes to achieve a high-quality harvest.
Learn more about what terpenes are and how to use them in this article. Video tutorial at the end!
What are cannabis terpenes?
The cannabis plant has a large number of terpenes in its composition, which, when combined in different proportions, produce a very complex aroma and flavor. Among the over 100 different terpenes identified in different cannabis strains analyzed to date, some are found in considerably larger amounts, which is why they’re known as the main terpenes.
- Pinene
- Limonene
- Linalool
- Myrcene
- Humulene
- Terpinolene
- Caryophyllene
Each of these terpenes has properties, effects, and health benefits beyond contributing aroma and flavor to cannabis. There has been increasing research on the possible applications of terpenes in the medical field. While it is known that these molecules do not cause psychoactive effects, it has recently been discovered that they are responsible for the “sativa” or “indica” effects of cannabis strains.
While it was previously believed that the more energizing or relaxing effects of certain strains depended on the cannabinoid profile, it’s now known that this is actually determined by the terpene profile of each genetic strain.
Why add terpene profiles to cannabis buds?
There are various factors that can result in a harvest being poor in terms of aroma. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that those buds don’t contain a good amount of cannabinoids. This is why many cannabis growers choose to apply terpenes to their buds. This allows them to turn a harvest that lacks aroma and flavor into high-quality flowers.
Here are some common reasons why cannabis flowers may be poor in aroma:
Genetics play a crucial role in terpene production in cannabis plants. Each strain has a unique composition, and while some produce a large quantity of terpenes, others do not.
Growing method and quality is another crucial factor that affects terpene production in cannabis plants. Factors that can influence the quality and quantity of terpenes include:
- Nutrition: Proper nutrition is essential for producing buds with good aroma and flavor. The choice of fertilizers and nutritional supplements can influence terpene production. To achieve better, higher-quality flavor, it’s important to choose organic fertilizers instead of mineral, and if the latter option is chosen, a decent root flush should be performed.
- Light and temperature: Light intensity and spectrum are important for terpene production. In indoor grows, using HPS or LEC lamps may generate too much heat, leading to the volatilization of terpenes, especially if the light source is too close to the plants. In this regard, LED lighting is more effective and can achieve greater terpene production and preservation.
- Humidity: Humidity levels are also important for terpene production. Sudden changes in humidity and inadequate ventilation can result in the loss of these aromatic molecules.
- Harvest: The timing of harvesting your plants can also influence the quality of terpenes in cannabis buds. Harvesting too early or too late can negatively affect the aroma and flavor of the buds.
Drying is a process that many growers underestimate but plays a crucial role in the loss of aromas, especially if not done under the right parameters.
If your cannabis flowers have a good aroma and flavor, it won’t be necessary to add terpenes, as an excess of aroma can be unpleasant. Check out our growing guide to ensure that every process is successful, allowing you to harvest aromatic and high-quality flowers.
What terpene profiles are available on the market?
If, for whatever reason, your cannabis buds have lost their delightful fragrance, several companies produce cannabis terpene profiles that can restore their rich perfume.
However, not all companies offer the same quality of product.
Terpenes extracted from cannabis: pros and cons
Terpenes derived from cannabis are directly extracted from cannabis plants. This type of terpene profile allows you to enjoy the aroma of each strain. However, extracting terpenes directly from the plant itself provides a low yield, making it a very expensive method, thus increasing the cost of the product.
Another difficulty in producing terpenes from cannabis is the variability in the terpene profile. Due to cannabis plants being exposed to different environmental conditions and the variability from one phenotype to another, the terpene profile can differ from one plant to another, making it impossible to guarantee identical batches of the product.
Furthermore, cannabis terpenes tend to degrade earlier due to the traces they contain.
Also, certain terpenes, when present in certain proportions, are considered toxic for human consumption. Extracting terpenes without knowing exactly what they contain or conducting studies on them can cause irritations or other health problems. This is not the case with botanical terpenes produced in a laboratory, such as those from Cali Terpenes, as they do not reproduce terpene profiles that can cause health issues, and they’re also entirely legal.
Synthetic cannabis terpene profiles: pros and cons
Completely synthetic cannabis terpene profiles are often very different from the compositions found in cannabis terpenes. Sometimes, they even include different terpene molecules. They have several disadvantages compared to terpene profiles created with terpenes from botanical sources (plants, flowers, fruits, etc.). Firstly, their aroma and flavor can be artificial and not authentic, potentially negatively affecting the consumers experience.
Additionally, synthetically created terpenes may not have the same therapeutic properties and effects as botanical terpenes.
Botanical cannabis terpene profiles: pros and cons
Natural/botanical terpenes are an increasingly popular option among cannabis consumers looking for authentic aroma and flavor without psychoactive effects. These terpenes consist exclusively of terpenes extracted from plants, flowers, and fruits, ensuring that they do not contain cannabinoids, although they’re identical to the terpenes found in cannabis, as the molecules composing these aromas are the same.
The production process for botanical cannabis terpene profiles is as follows:
- Each strain is grown.
- Once harvested, terpenes are extracted.
- The terpene profile of the strain in question is analyzed.
- Once the proportions of each major terpene (Limonene, Myrcene, Linalool, etc.) are known, these molecules are extracted from other fruits and plants.
- The terpenes are mixed in the exact proportions found in the cannabis strain, replicating the aroma.
- One advantage of these terpenes is their lower price in the market compared to terpenes derived from cannabis. Furthermore, due to their higher concentration, their aroma can be stronger, requiring a smaller quantity to achieve the same result.
It’s important to note that botanical terpenes are as effective as those derived from cannabis plants since they are molecularly identical. Additionally, they can activate cannabinoid receptors and reproduce the full entourage effect, as long as they faithfully replicate their terpene profile.
The process to obtain these terpenes is standardized not only to obtain pure and high-quality terpenes but also to ensure identical batches over time. Therefore, natural terpenes are a safe and reliable option for consumers in most countries worldwide, as they are legal in the majority of them.
However, it’s also true that there are different qualities of botanical terpenes, as reproducing an aroma at 50% is not the same as reproducing it down to the last terpene.
What terpenes are the best then?
The truth is that well-created botanical terpene profiles could be better than cannabis terpenes. This is because they are standardized, have safety data sheets for proper use in various sectors or industries, are more stable, more affordable, and have unlimited stock.
We also really like cannabis terpenes, but it’s essential to consider that in addition to their high cost, they can only be used to produce limited editions of some products (since the aroma may not be exact the next time you extract or buy these terpenes), and the safety of using these terpenes is not certified by a laboratory.
How to correctly apply terpenes to your cannabis buds
The main problem that most growers encounter when adding terpenes to their flowers is that it’s a highly concentrated product that is not easy to spread evenly.
For this reason, our preferred product for this task is Terps Spray by Cali Terpenes, a brand that produces cannabis terpene profiles and has a wide variety in its extensive catalog, such as Amnesia or Gelato.
With its spray format, it’s easy to apply the terpenes to any surface, ensuring that they are distributed evenly in the appropriate amounts. With this product, you can achieve a quality result thanks to its micro-pulverization of pure terpenes following these simple steps:
- Step 1: Spread the cannabis buds as much as possible so that they are separated and not piled up.
- Step 2: Spray Terps Spray on the dry buds from a distance of about 35-45 cm to ensure a quick and even application, preventing an excess of aroma in specific areas.
- Step 3: Once sprayed on the final product (on both sides), store the buds in an airtight container.
- Step 4: It’s advisable to let the material rest for at least 24 hours in the airtight container.
Remember that not all cannabis buds need added terpenes, especially if it’s an aromatic strain that’s been grown and dried correctly. But in case the flowers have lost their characteristic aroma, adding terpenes is a way to restore the herb’s organoleptic potency and enhance the consumer’s experience.
What proportion of terpenes to use on buds?
Terps Spray is currently available in two sizes, 5ml and 15ml. With just 5ml, you can add aroma to between 500 and 1000g of flowers.
Now you know all of the secrets of this process!
If you have any questions, leave a comment below and share your thoughts with the community.
Until next time!
La Huerta Grow Shop
