Marijuana Flower 101

Cannabis flower, also known as cannabis bud or nug, is a term used to describe the part of a cannabis plant that can be smoked. Typically, the term is used when referring to plant material that has already been dried and cured, ready to be used in joints and blunts, but it can refer to fresh cannabis plant material too. Flower is the most popular form of recreational cannabis and medical marijuana to consume, thanks mostly to its versatility; flower bud can be used and consumed in a lot of different ways.

While still part of the plant, the cannabis flower is usually quite easy to spot, due to its tear-like shape and the frosty coating of trichomes around the outside. When dried and cured in nug form, marijuana flower typically looks like little green and brownish balls or clumps of plant material.

Cannabis plants may seem simple on the outside, but they’re actually quite complex organisms, with lots of different parts. The anatomy of a cannabis flower or plant can include the following key components and structures:

• Flower – The flower itself is only found on female cannabis plants. It contains the CBD, THC, and other key ingredients like terpenes and cannabinoids that trigger various effects in the human body.
• Cola – The cola of the cannabis flower is the name given to clusters of buds growing tightly together. Colas can be found around the branches, with the largest cola usually situated on top of the plant.
• Pistil – The pistil is where the reproductive parts of the flower are located. These parts are recognizable for their thin, hair-like strands, known as stigmas, which gather pollen from the male plants to allow for reproduction.
• Bracts – The bracts are situated around the reproductive parts of the flowering cannabis plant. They’re green and dotted with resin glands, making them very high in terms of cannabinoid content.
• Trichomes – Trichomes are very small crystaline structures found on the outside of flowering cannabis buds. They serve as a form of protection for the flower and secrete both CBD and THC, among other cannabinoids.

There are three main forms of cannabis flower: Indica, Sativa, and hybrid.

• Indica – Indica cannabis is known for its low levels of THC. It tends to be grown in areas with brief winters due to its short flowering stage. This type of cannabis flower is recommended for its relaxing effects and sleep benefits.
• Sativa – Sativa cannabis stands out for its high levels of THC when compared to Indica. It has thinner and longer leaves too, growing best in very warm conditions. In terms of effects, this type of marijuana flower triggers people’s creativity and can make them more expressive.
• Hybrid – There are also hybrid forms of cannabis flower, made with both Indica and Sativa elements and offering a mixture of effects and benefits. They can have various different sizes, shapes, and ideal growing conditions.

It’s possible to learn a lot about cannabis flowers simply by observing them. A visual inspection can tell you a lot about the quality of the bud in question. The best flower tends to have a naturally appealing appearance, with bold colors and pleasant aromas. It shouldn’t have any noticeable flaws like the presence of insects or mold, and there shouldn’t be any kind of discoloration. The number of trichomes can also be a key factor; if you see more trichomes, the cannabis in question will usually be more potent.

As stated earlier, one of the best benefits of CBD flower is that it’s highly versatile. You can consume this part of the cannabis plant in a lot of different ways, making it ideal for medical marijuana users who want to experiment with different methods or recreational cannabis enthusiasts who like specific consumption methods like blunts and joints.

Here are a few different ways in which you can consume cannabis flowers:

• Joint – Joints are essentially cannabis cigarettes, made from rolling up some ground flower in the smokable paper.
• Blunts – If joints are like cigarettes, blunts are more like cigars. They’re made by a rolling ground flower in empty cigars or blunt wraps.
• Pipes – You can also smoke flower in a pipe, which is one of the most popular ways to consume it.
• Bong – Bongs are another option for consuming cannabis flower, letting you filter the smoke through water for cleaner hits.

Proper weed storage is absolutely essential in order to preserve the quality and potency of your flower and avoid any problems like mold development or flower degradation as time goes by. And when it comes to storing flower, there are several factors to take into account:

• Light – Weed should be kept in a dark place, as light is able to negatively impact its quality, reducing its flavors, aromas, and overall structure too.
• Air – Air control is another key factor here, as a lack of air can lead to moisture building up in your bud, but too much air can accelerate decomposition. It’s best to keep flower in sealed containers like mason jars, giving them a little air, but not too much.
• Moisture – Too much moisture can be terrible for cannabis flower, accelerating the growth of mold and mildew. Ideally, you’ll want to keep the humidity levels at around 60% to preserve the structure, color, taste, and aroma of your nugs.
• Temperatures – Weed connoisseurs often talk about storing flower in cool, dark places, and there is a scientific reason to that; too much heat can allow germs and mold to start growing on your buds, so it’s best to keep it at temperatures below 70 degrees.