What are popcorn buds and how to prevent them?

‘Popcorn’ buds are the smaller buds that are around the same size as popcorn pieces. For some growers and retailers (dispensaries, coffee shops, social clubs etc) popcorn buds may have slightly reduced bag appeal (and prices) compared to the chunkier buds that many prefer and love. But when grown from High THC cannabis seeds, popcorn buds may be every bit as potent/pungent as traditional chunky buds. Don’t automatically assume popcorn buds are not worth saving/using. That said, for most growers, popcorn buds are less preferred and something the grower seeks to prevent. So, what causes popcorn buds…

Popcorn weed: why are my buds so small?

Popcorn buds may have the same genetic potential to grow into the large bulbous buds we all love to see. But for reasons associated with the grow environment, popcorn buds never reach anywhere near their full potential. One of the main causes of popcorn buds is light deprivation. As the upper branches, blooms and leaves grow they tend to dominate light availability. Lower plant areas often struggle to produce the same show-stopper chunky nuggets that can be picked from upper branches bathed in higher light levels.

Popcorn buds vs regular flowers vs shake pictures

In areas with legal cannabis sales, the smaller less-appealing popcorn buds can often be found at discounted prices. The pictures show the comparison between the larger buds we all love to see and the smaller popcorn (‘shake’) buds. Many assume that popcorn buds are lower potency. But Dutch Passion haven’t seen conclusive proof of that.

A bag full of smaller shake or popcorn buds certainly doesn’t have quite the same impact as a bag of formidably sized buds. If you see popcorn buds for sale and the aroma/potency hit the spot for you then budget priced popcorn buds could be a smart buy. Especially for the less experienced smoker/vaper who doesn’t necessarily need the very highest potency buds.

Are popcorn buds less potent than regular weed flowers?

As alluded to above, many assume that popcorn buds are of inferior quality. A future Dutch Passion test will add some science to the debate, but for now there is a lack of definitive lab testing on premium vs popcorn buds, grown from the same plant. It should be said that many buyers have been impressed with the discounted prices they can receive when they buy popcorn buds, and fully satisfied with the effects and taste.

Managing popcorn buds on your cannabis plants

Harvesting some popcorn buds from your plant isn’t a disaster. Sure, trimming them may be more time consuming but the hassle is mitigated by the knowledge that little has been wasted from your cultivation efforts. Over time, the ambitious grower will be able to optimise their grow area. This often includes use of powerful overhead LED lights and perhaps even lighting from the sides and below. This gradually allows the grower to aim for lower quantities of popcorn buds and higher amounts of larger, dense buds.

How to prevent popcorn cannabis buds

If your harvests regularly contain an abundance of popcorn buds, it may be time to consider some changes to your grow room. This could involve upgrading to a more powerful LED light which can fully (and evenly) illuminate your entire grow area from corner to corner. But there are some grow techniques that may also allow you to improve your harvest quality and quantity.

The cannabis lollipopping method

Many growers simply dispense with the popcorn-bud yielding lower branches and remove them. Often this requires a certain level of experience, knowing which branches will never reach the canopy and subsequently removing them early with a clean cut. This allows the cannabis plant to concentrate their biochemical resources towards biomass/resin production in the upper plant areas during the cannabis flowering phase.

Growers call this the lollipop method due to the resulting ‘lollipop shape’ of the remaining cannabis plant. With foliage removed, no growth occurs at lower levels. All the plant growth is massed at the canopy level bathing under high light intensities.

LST (Low-stress training)

Cannabis low stress training involves deliberate application of low levels of plant stress in order to improve yields. This can be done by tying down the upper branches using cable ties or garden cord. With the stretchier upper branches tamed in height, lower branches can catch up. The process often opens up the interior of the cannabis plant to more light, helping more of the popcorn buds grow into larger buds.

SCROG (Screen of green method)

The cannabis SCROG method uses a screen, e.g. a metal screen with 5cm squares, to create a level canopy. Branches are trained horizontally and weaved through the SCROG screen or simply attached to it with cable ties. Vertical growth is replaced with controlled, managed horizontal growth which allows all bloom points to grow in optimised light levels.

HST (High-stress training)

Cannabis high stress training tends to be tackled by more experienced growers. It involves significant artificial manipulation/interference of the cannabis plant in order to boost yields. This could involve removal of the growing tip of the plant (cannabis topping), the FIM method (similar to topping but with the aim of multiple new growth points rather than just 2) or super cropping (deliberately crushing the stem/branch to allow horizontal growth, rather than vertical growth)

Pruning

Many growers remove branches and foliage that, according to their experience, simply isn’t worth keeping. In a similar way to lollipopping, this allows the cannabis plant to focus her energy on the plant areas receiving optimised light levels. Remember to remove all plant waste from the grow room, keeping it tidy and minimising risks from mould, pests etc.

Improved side lighting/illumination

Some growers deliberately add additional lighting, such as purpose designed LED lights that shine up underneath the canopy. These add valuable extra light energy to lower shaded bloom points. Some serious growers will invest cash on LED side panels which they use to ensure shade-free growing.

How and when to remove popcorn buds during flowering

Many tend to remove lower branches in the cannabis vegetative stage, before bloom sets in. But if bloom has already started and it is evident that some of your branches will yield merely a few popcorn buds, it won’t harm your plant to remove them. The logic is that any bud losses will be minimal and removal of lower branches will allow plant growth to be focussed on upper (well illuminated) areas. This may also help air-flow for some growers, reducing the risk of stale-air pockets and associated opportunities for cannabis mould etc.

How to dry and cure popcorn buds

With their smaller size and volume, popcorn buds will dry faster than your larger buds. That means you will be able to start curing and enjoying them a little sooner.

What to do with harvested popcorn cannabis buds?

Most people use popcorn buds in the same way as their normal buds. They are fine for smoking and vaping in the usual way. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much easier it is to grind popcorn buds compared to larger buds. Those that simply don’t like growing or using popcorn buds often use them in their cannabis edibles or they use them to make cannabis concentrates, such as cannabis oil, shatter, rosin, hash etc.

Get bigger buds from your cannabis plants!

Popcorn buds are enjoyed every day by plenty of cannabis lovers. When grown from good quality cannabis seeds you can expect satisfying potency and taste. That said, many experienced growers progressively try to optimise their grow conditions and produce good-sized buds, minimising the proportion of popcorn buds.

Several types of cannabis grow techniques are available to minimise the popcorn buds often produced by poorly-illuminated lower branches. Use of powerful modern LEDs and a few relatively uncomplicated changes to the way you grow (e.g. pruning, LST etc) can be a game changer for those that struggle repeatedly with popcorn buds from their grow room.