Cannabis terpene production is responsible for giving cannabis plants their unique and distinctive aroma and flavour profiles. Terpenes play a major role in cannabis cultivation and contribute everything from citrus and pine notes to earthy, floral, spicy, and fuel-like aromas. They are found in fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
If you have ever wondered how to increase terpenes in cannabis and increase cannabis terpene production, then you will be glad to know there are a few ways. One of those is to supply your plants with veganic nutrients.
Cannabis terpene production can be heavily influenced by the food you give your plants and can help cannabis plants smell stronger and enhance the flavour. In this article, I will cover how veganic growing produces better terpenes and explain what terpenes are and why they are so important.
Does Veganic Growing Produce Better Terpenes? (The Science Explained)
Without a side-by-side comparison, it is difficult to give an affirmative answer regarding how to increase cannabis terpenes with veganic methods. However, it is more important to focus on a combination of factors when the goal is to enhance cannabis terpene production, as explained below.
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Cannabis Terpenes Veganic and Terpene Quality
Veganic cultivation generally avoids animal-derived inputs and instead uses plant-based, mineral, and microbial sources. However, cannabis plants ultimately absorb nutrients in forms they can use, regardless of their original source. What can make a bigger difference is the growing environment created around the plant, such as:
- Healthy roots
- Terpene-rich genetics
- Correct pH
- Balanced Nutrients
- Light Intensity
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Ventilation
- Drying method
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Cannabis Terpene Production in Veganic Growing
Cannabis terpene production is a complex biological process influenced by genetics and the plant’s environment. Cannabis plant terpenes are produced through specialised metabolic pathways, and different cannabis varieties have different genetic potential for producing particular terpene combinations.
A veganic growing set-up may provide an environment that growers believe supports healthy biological activity, particularly when it involves a biologically active growing medium. However, that does not mean the system will automatically increase terpene production, as the same can be said for organics or growing using living soil. To produce the pinnacle of terpene production, you need to combine all of the environmental factors highlighted above.
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How to Increase Terpenes Cannabis Naturally
If you’re wondering how to increase the terpenes cannabis plants can produce, then you need to make sure that you have all bases covered.
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Healthy roots
The cannabis root system is the life source of your plants, so keeping the roots healthy and inoculated with beneficial bacteria and fungi will be beneficial. Check on your roots weekly in chocolate with a tea or powder every 2 weeks.
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Terpene-rich genetics
The genetics that you start off with are crucial. Some strains are much more aromatic and terpene-rich than others, and are genetically influenced. Many of the USA varieties are popular for their mouth-watering flavours.
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Correct pH
Managing your pH levels properly means that when you make a nutrient solution, the pH is optimal for nutrient uptake and availability. Soil-grown crops require a pH level between 6.0-7.0 to prevent nutrient lockout.
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Balanced Nutrients
A consistent and well-balanced nutrient regime will be one way to ensure that your plants do not become nutrient deficient or over-fertilised. Following a nutrient feeding chart is always recommended, and it’s one reason our VGN line is so easy and effective.
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Light Intensity
Whilst cannabis plants are light-hungry plants, you can end up giving them too much light, causing light burn, which harms cannabis terpene production. Flowering cannabis plants require the perfect amount of intensity and PPFD levels.
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Temperature and Humidity
Monitoring your grow room with a digital hygrometer and keeping the environment at a consistent, plant-friendly temperature will be one of the biggest factors in determining terpene and trichome production. When cannabis plants become too hot, they experience heat stress, which can ruin the buds of flowering plants and create a less aromatic dried crop.
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Ventilation
The ventilation in your grow space should be at a level where the room feels fresh, lots of fresh air is being pulled in from outside, and the temperature remains as close to 24 degrees Celsius during the lights-on period.
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Drying method
I have always said to my friends that how you dry your buds out can make or break the growth. Everyone has their own preferred method for drying cannabis plants out. The most important thing is to keep the drying room at the same temperature and humidity for 14-21 days. I would advise 15 degrees Celsius and 55% relative humidity while drying for 14 days.
Cannabis Terpene Production: Genetics and Environment
There are two ways to increase the cannabis terpene production of your plants: by using terpene-rich genetics and by dialling in your environment to make it perfect for plant growth and flower development.
Below, we break down how plant genetics differ in their terpene profiles and the environmental factors that can make flowering cannabis plants smell stronger and increase cannabis terpene production after harvesting.
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Cannabis Terpene Production and Plant Genetics
- Genetics are one of the biggest factors influencing cannabis terpene production.
- Different cannabis cultivars naturally produce different terpene profiles
- Naturally high terpene potential provides a better starting point
- Genetics influence which terpene compounds a plant can produce
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Environmental Factors to Help Increase Terpenes in Cannabis
- Adequate light supports photosynthesis and healthy plant and flower development
- Temperatures within an appropriate range can help protect volatile terpene compounds
- Proper humidity levels help maintain healthy plants and reduce environmental stress
- A healthy root system helps the plant take up water and nutrients efficiently
- Good airflow supports a stable growing environment
- Harvest timing can influence the aroma and flavour of the finished product
- The drying, curing, and storage stages are essential because terpenes are volatile
How to Increase Terpenes in Cannabis After Harvesting
Genetics establish much of the plant’s potential, and the growing environment influences how that potential is expressed. Nutrition supports healthy development, while harvesting, drying, and storage determine how much of the resulting aroma is ultimately preserved.
Choose terpene-rich genetics, provide suitable growing conditions, maintain balanced nutrition, avoid unnecessary stress, harvest at an appropriate stage, and protect the flower during drying and storage. Curing dried cannabis buds for 10 minutes per day can significantly improve the flavour and smoothness when consuming.
- Curing jars should be kept away from sunlight
- Burping involves removing the jar lid for 10 minutes per day
- Growers find that curing for 3-6 months creates a wonderful smoke
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My Thoughts on Veganic Cannabis Terpenes
I cannot say whether veganic growing methods can enhance flavour and aroma profiles compared to growing with soil or hydroponics. I would strongly advise you to check that your growing environment is perfect for growing cannabis, and that you maintain a consistent, balanced diet and double-check pH levels when feeding a nutrient solution.
Take the time to dry your buds out correctly in a temperature-controlled space. Grow tents are easy to set up and take down, and are connected to carbon filters for smell-proofing. Top-quality genetics that are well known for their intense flavours and aromas will be one of the easiest ways to increase terpenes in cannabis, combined with the Atami VGN line.
