The cannabis term “washing” has historically referred to a step in artisanal hash making, but add one word, and the phrase has a new meaning. Many cultivators are washing their weed the same way they do vegetables in a process called bud washing. It has been publicized more in the last few years and camps of cultivators are divided for and against.
“If you have dirty weed that’s by a dusty road, or powder mold, or spider mites, then go ahead and wash,” Jason Gellman, second generation cannabis farmer and owner of Ridgeline Farms, said in a message. “Otherwise? Big No.”
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What is bud washing?
Bud washing cannabis consists of dunking a harvested cannabis stem flowers and all in a bucket of clean water. It is believed to rinse out dust or bugs accumulated in a natural, organic, outdoor growing cycle. Others do multiple dunks beyond pure reverse osmosis water. This process starts with submerging a harvest underwater. Then use a hydrogen peroxide solution, a disinfectant to clean any residual powdery mildew before one more water dunk in pure water.
Not all the cultivators GreenState surveyed were aware or down for bud washing akin to rinsing salad, but they had heard of H202 to mitigate powdery mildew. None recommended it. The jury is still out on the exact impact of regularly inhaling heated H202, making it suspect for patients with compromised immune, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems. Pure water bud washing has not yet shown harm.
Jorge Cervantes included write one short paragraph about bud washing in the 2006 edition of Marijuana Horticulture: The indoor/outdoor medical grower’s bible.
“If sprays have been applied during the last week (not recommended), mist plants heavily to wash off undesirable residues that may have accumulated on the foliage. The bath will not affect resin production. Gently jiggle buds after rinsing to shake off any standing water.”
The legendary cultivator recommends washing early in the day to avoid wet plants come nightfall. He also warns agains ever wetting buds with signs of bud rot. This cannabis cultivation tome makes no mention of hydrogen peroxide.
While Cervantes seems to recommend spraying plants before cutting, modern bud washing happens right after the plant is chopped down. Doing so any later will interrupt the curing process. Be gentle with the stem and flowers to avoid disturbing trichomes when washing. Give them a dunk and a quick swirling shake in the water–nothing more. However, some may recommend avoiding it altogether.
What does bud washing do?
One camp of longtime sun-grown cultivators believes that a quick dip won’t impact trichomes provided it is cool water or room. Others are convinced that it creates a breeding ground for mildew, not willing to risk it. However, many sun-grown farmers have harvested in rainstorms and argue that bud-washing is no different. Those who look at the many “after” photos often consider trying it out.
Several social media threads are dedicated to this topic, some spurring debate and others culling agreement. Many are paired with damning before and after pictures of water laden with dirt, debris, bugs, or even an unidentified film.
This is why you should wash your outdoor buds
byu/nuttah27 incannabiscultivation
Post bud-wash. One outdoor plant. Many, many bugs
the scum on top is likely powdery mildew I didn’t see as well.
byu/Final-Sprinkles-4860 incannabiscultivation
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Many reject the concept in the face of those before-and-after photos, and rightfully so. Cannabis cultivators manage moisture content down to the droplet to avoid mildew, bud rot, and other plant diseases that the idea of dunking flower into a bucket of water sounds sacrilege. Still, it is a cherished part of harvest for a large group of growers, and some claim it makes the weed taste better.
One Redditor posted that some who sample his bud-washed flower claim it has more flavor and smokes smoother. A commenter agreed and stated that their dry sift was shades lighter after bud washing. They believe the lighter color is due to fewer bugs, their poop, house dust, and other debris.
When asked about bud washing contributing to mold growth, outdoor farmers compare it to harvesting during rain storms. Both expose buds to an equal amount of water, and many farmers have pulled off a rainstorm harvest sans issues. Those who bud wash should give the stem a shake to remove some water from inside the calyxes and let it drip dry before the usual curing process. As Cervantes mentioned, do this early in the morning so that the plants can dry before temps cool at night.
Bud washing is a somewhat controversial topic in the cultivation space. Skeptical farmers are adamant: they will never wash buds. Still, growers practicing this at harvest will not be dissuaded from continuing. Both camps are firmly divided. When it comes to homegrown for personal use–to each their own. But as far as consumer-facing sun grown go, the conversation of bud washing may be worth having.
