REMOVING ALL UNNECESSARY FAN LEAVES FROM THE PLANT

Defoliation is the most critical element of the growing and harvesting process and effects every step of the process, from the moment the plants start growing, until the product is packaged and ready for the shelf. The key to proper defoliation is removing all unnecessary fan leaves as soon as they start developing. A simple rule is to remove all fan leaves from the bottom 3rd of the plant during the vegetative and flowering phase and then removing all remaining fan leaves during the flushing period or 10 days prior to harvest. The following are all the benefits and downstream effects proper pruning, and defoliation generates:

Benefits of Defoliation During the Growing Phase:

1. Spreading out defoliation over the entire grow cycle reduces the labor over time
   2. Supporting the plants with trellis or scrog netting is much easier
   3. Light penetration and absorption are drastically improved
   4. Air circulation is increased
   5. Less nutrients & water is required and is distributed more efficiently
   6. Less CO2 is required if it is being utilized
   7. Less risk for pests & diseases
   8. Pests & Diseases are much easier to mitigate
   9. Flower structure and density improves
   10. Trichome & Cannabinoid Development Improves

Benefits of Defoliation During the Drying Process:

11. Less space is required for drying (fan leaves are roughly 20% of total plant volume)
    12. Drying time is slightly reduced
    13. Less humidity released into room from plants
    14. Air circulation is increased
    15. Risk of developing mold or mildew is significantly reduced
    16. Consistent moisture levels from plant to plant is easier to achieve
    17. Much easier to dry properly for dry trimming with a machine (drying sugar leaves without over drying buds)

    Benefits of Defoliation During the Bucking Process:

    18. Easier to see individual buds
        19. Less material to handle
        20. Bucking process is more efficient

    Benefits of Defoliation During the Trimming Process:

    21. Reduced trimming cycle time due to less material
        22. Eliminates crows’ feet when wet trimming
        23. Eliminates hook stems when dry trimming (stems retain more water and leave a hook at the base of the bud)
        24. Eliminates chlorophyll from trimmed leaf
        25. Eliminates touch-up after machine trimming
        26. Machine is easier to clean

    Benefits of Defoliation During Extraction Process:

    27. Eliminates touch-up of flower prior to packaging
        28. Improves look and taste of concentrates
        29. Improves extraction Potency due to lack of chlorophyll in trim
        30. Reduces solvent required due to higher volume of quality trim in each batch

HANG WHOLE PLANTS OR INDIVIDUAL STEMS TO DRY IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

The branches should be left to dry slowly in a temperature and humidity-controlled room. Drying cannabis branches typically takes 7 to 10 days. It is important to avoid rushing the drying process by using high heat and low humidity, as this can degrade the cannabinoids and terpenes in the buds, affecting the overall quality of the final product.

Things to consider when drying cannabis plants:

• For best results, maintain a temperature range between 60-70°F and relative humidity (RH) between 45-55%.
• Start at a slightly higher humidity level and taper down over the dry period
• Dry period ideally should be 10-15 days or 5 at a minimum
• Ample airflow throughout the dry room is critical in preventing mold and mildew
• If bucking the buds with an automated bucking machine after drying, we suggest bucking a day or two before drying would typically be complete and then finishing the dry process in totes allowing all the buds to homogenize dryness in preparation for trimming (see step 4. Pre-cure for more information)
• Over drying will stop C02 respiration effecting terpene profiles and the curing process (be sure not to over dry)
• Consider using water activity equipment
• Drying and curing cannabis are two different processes that shouldn’t be confused with each other
• Allow the cannabis to dry until it reaches an optimal moisture level between 9-13%
• It’s important to keep humidity and temperature levels in check to prevent rapid drying. Air that is too dry or too hot will cause your cannabis leaves to dry out quickly. This can lead to harsh smoke, an unpleasant taste, and a reduction of potency
• Monitor temperature and moisture levels throughout the process using thermometers, hygrometers, or humidity packs. Doing so can help ensure that your leaf condition does not degrade due to rapid drying caused by poor environmental conditions.

REMOVING THE BUDS FROM THE STEM WITH THE BUD BUCKER

Things to consider when bucking:

NOTE:  We recommend Bucking the plants a day or two before they are completely dry, then follow step 4. and Pre-Cure the Bucked Buds prior to Trimming. If plants are too dry to safely use the Bud Bucker, use scissors.

a) Cut and individualize branches from the stalk

b) Cut and individualize stems from the branches (leave 2-3 inches at the base of the stem when using the Bud Bucker)

c) Using scissors or Bud Bucker, when possible, remove and individualize all Buds from the stem

d) Leave 1/8” of stem at Buds base after Bucking

e)  When Bucking dried Buds with the Bud Bucker, be sure the Buds are not over dried, and the feed rate is set to 20 or lower

f) When Bucking wet Buds, be sure to Buck and Trim immediately after harvesting, do not allow the harvested plants to sit for more than a few hours before Bucking and Trimming, doing so can cause the leaves to curl in, and Buds to squish, effecting Trim quality

g) TAKE THE TIME ON THIS STEP TO ENSURE THE BUDS ARE 100% INDIVIDUALIZED, WITH NO MORE THAN  1/8” OF STEM, AND FREE OF ANY FAN LEAVES

Important Note: If break down of colas are a concern, cut the cola off the top before feeding the stem into the bucker. Keep in mind that at some point prior to packaging the buds will have to be broken down. Most facilities do not package buds larger than golf ball size. Consider allowing the bucker to perform the inevitable and break the colas down for you, as it will have to be done at some point

EQUALIZE DRYNESS IN PREPARATION FOR TRIMMING

Our objective is to reduce the number of buds that need to be touched up after they have ran through the Satellite bud trimming machine down to 20-30% of all buds. To do this and to get a consistent trim using a trim machine, it is crucial to homogenize, equalize or create a consistent dryness through and in your entire harvest and especially from small buds to large buds. IF YOUR PRODUCT IS NOT CONSISTENTLY DRY, IT WILL NOT CONSISTENTLY TRIM. Thus, step 4. and the pre-cure process is arguably the most important step in the process.

Suggestions for Pre-Curing:

• Pre-Cure after the buds have been dried and bucked but before trimming
• Ideally use shallow long wide totes to pre-cure in, this will eliminate humidity settling to the bottom of the tote creating a more humid environment for the buds at the bottom of the tote
• Monitor the humidity level closely and ensure the lids are cracked or product is burped often
• Rotate the product twice daily
• Pre-Cure should take 3-5 days of the minimum 10-day cure process
• Step 7. “Final cure” should take the additional 5 days and product should stabilize at 55-60% RH
• At the end of Step 4. “Pre-Cure”, Stems should still have a little flexibility, but leaves should snap when disturbed
• Check dryness by rubbing two buds together or by flicking the leaves with your finger, if the leaf doesn’t come off when buds are rubbed together, it will not come off in the trim machine
• Wait to trim in a trim machine until product is truly consistently dry, the amount of touch up time saved will be worth the wait!

Side Note: The Pre-Cure step should not disrupt your grow cycles, as you have already freed up the dry room for the next harvest, as well created more space for storage having already bucked the buds.

Adding this pre-cure/staging phase into the process allows you to trim the product when your schedule and resources are available, while simultaneously ensuring that the product is dry enough to effectively trim with a machine, creating less touch up on the back end and saving time and labor.

REMOVE THE LEAF FROM THE BUDS, COLLECT AND SEPARATE THE TRIM

Note: Dry Trimming is done by friction, not cutting. Be sure your trim room humidity is not above 40%

DO THE FOLLOWING TO ELIMINATE TOUCH UP, SAVE YOUR SMALLS AND MAINTAIN BUD STRUCTURE:

1. REMOVE ALL FAN LEAVES with exposed stems
2. INDIVIDUALIZE ALL BUDS and trim stem to less than ¼”
3. DRY ALL BUDS completely and consistently

• CONSISTENT DRYNESS FROM SMALL BUDS TO LARGE BUDS IS THE KEY TO ELIMINATING TOUCH UP AFTER TRIMMING
• If more than 30% of the buds must be touched up after trimming the leaves are not consistently dry or dry enough
• Storing buds in large totes will cause the buds on the top to be drier than the buds on the bottom
• If possible, pre-cure buds in long, wide and shallow containers, with the lids cracked or open prior to trimming
• Check dryness by rubbing two buds together or by flicking the leaves with your finger, if the leaf or stem bends and doesn’t snap, it is not dry enough

4. TRIM 1 POUND FOR 1 MINUTE

• Load 456g into the machine and allow the product to trim for around 1 minute
• If the product is not trimmed after 1 minute, it is not consistently dry or dry enough
• Use the inner lids to control the amount of airflow moving the product
• Use forward and reverse on the fingers to control the amount of agitation
• Visit: https://eztrim.com/product/satellite-bud-trimmer/ to see a typical batch run

5. CLEAN AND CONTACT

• Clean the machine after each use
• Empty the filtration bags frequently and clean with wet/dry vac or air compressor
• Please call us! We are happy to help. (303) 489-3228

IF THE MACHINE ISN’T WORKING, IT IS NOT THE MACHINE! IT IS THE PROCESS OR THE PRODUCT AND WE CAN HELP!

SORT BUDS INTO SHAKE, POPCORN, SMALL, MEDIUM, AND LARGE BUDS

Pre-sorting is typically done as the product comes out of the Satellite Bud Trimmer it immediately get sorter on the Bud Sorter. The enables you to remove the shake and popcorn from you’re A & B buds prior to Touch Up. Removing shake and popcorn before touch up ensures that unnecessary handling of popcorn is avoided, as well sifting through shake to find the buds that need to be touched up.

The Bud Sorter: The Sorter let you accurately, efficiently, and safely sort your cannabis and hemp buds into shake, popcorn, small, medium, and large buds. Without vibration or moving parts, your buds stay in pristine condition.

Suggestions for Pre-Sorting:

• Place roughly 1lb of dried, trimmed buds onto the ¼” grate. Use the soft, food-grade brushes to gently move the product over the different-sized grates, sorting the buds by size.  
• The Bud Sorter is best used after drying and trimming but before quality control and packaging. Removing the small buds and shake from the QC and touch-up process will significantly improve efficiency. 
• Sorting Grate Sizes come standard in the following sizes (custom sizes can be made in 1/8” increments): 1/4”, ½”, 7/8”, 1 1/8”, 1 5/8”
• If you only want to remove small buds and shake, you can double your productivity by sorting from both sides. Place a ¼” and ½” grate on both sides of the Bud Sorter and brush your product into the center bin. 
• When you are done sorting, place the lower shelf on top of the Bud Sorter to create another work surface for your trim room. 
• The Bud Sorter separates similar sized and weighted Buds for packaging eliminates the handling and trimming of popcorn and shake
• The Bud Sorter separates similar sized and weighted Buds for packaging
• The Bud Sorter separates shake for pre-rolls
• The Bud Sorter provides a dedicated QC Station

FINE-TUNE THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE BUDS AND ALLOW THE DECAY OF SUGARS AND CHLOROPHYLL

Curing improves the aroma and flavor of cannabis by encouraging the breakdown of by-products in the buds after they are first harvested, as they still contain sugars and starches stored by the plant for growth. After harvest, the plant begins to degrade as enzymes and aerobic bacteria break down these excess sugars and starches. Curing cannabis essentially forces the plant to consume the remaining sugars, starches and nutrients before they have had a chance to dry out and become trapped inside the plant. If this process happens too quickly, not only will the sugars and chlorophyll in the flower disappear: the terpenes will too, taking all the flavor with them. The curing process ensures that the sugars and chlorophyll in the flower are broken down slowly, without affecting the terpenes. The presence of these leftover sugars and minerals is what causes the burning sensation in the throat that is noticeable when smoking cannabis that has not been properly cured.

• Cure in a dark enclosed environment
• Use hygrometer to measure relative humidity (RH)
• Curing room environment should be 45-55% RH and 60-70F degrees
• Curing container environment should initially be 55-65% RH
• Curing should be no less than 10 days and as much as several months
• Fill containers and totes with 50% product and 50% air or head space
• Burp twice a day for 10 minutes the first week
• Burp once a day for 10 minutes the second week
• Burp as needed after the second week
• RH should stabilize at 50-60% RH after 10 days
• Stems should snap when curing is complete
• Buds should be like a sponge and bounce back in shape after squeezing
• C02 respiration should stabilize at around 450 when curing is complete
• Cure trim and smalls separate from A & B buds

REMOVING ANY REMAINING LEAF OR STEM AS QUALITY CONTROL AND TO INCREASE BAG APPEAL

The only way to automate the harvesting process efficiently is to reduce the handling and hand trimming of buds. Touching up is where most facilities spend most of their budget and time. If you must touch up and handle over 50% of your buds after using a trim machine, you might as well have just hand trimmed the entire crop. After 14 years of working with our clients we have realized that REDUCING THE TOUCH UP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO! If you have descent product and our process is followed correctly, touch up should be 25% of all buds or less.

Suggestions for Touch Up:

• Touch up should be done after pre-sorting and having removed the shake and popcorn from your A & B buds
• Touch up should only be preformed on A & B buds, not on smalls or popcorn
• KEY STEP – Spread all A & B buds on a sheet pan or table and quickly remove all buds that do not require additional touch up
• Using scissors or The Trim Pen remove any unwanted stem or leaf from the remaining buds
• If you are touching up more than 50% of your A & B buds, the product was not sorted, prepped or dried properly prior to machine trimming
• Proper prep is accomplished by drying the product thoroughly and consistently, removing all unnecessary fan leaves, individualizing all buds and ensuring that no more than ¼” of stem remains at the bottom of each bud prior to machine trimming

Note: We have found that on average a QUALIFIED hand trimmer can trim 2 pounds of product per day but can touch-up just over 6 lbs. per day.

• That equates to 904g (Trimming) vs. 2,880g (touching-up).
• 2,880 per day equates to 360g per hour and 6g per minute.
• Each trimmer should be touching up 6g per minute and should only be handling less than 50% of all buds
• Please try our Harvest Calculator by visiting: https://eztrim.com/harvest-calculator/

REMOVE ANY REMAINING SHAKE AND POPCORN PRIOR TO PACKAGING

After touch up is complete and using either The Bud Shaker Box, The Bud Sorter or The Bud Sorter Mini, sort the product one last time prior to packaging to ensure that all shake and popcorn has been removed.

Suggestions for Final Sort:

• Final sorting is a very straight forward and quick step in the process and is typically done with The Bud Shaker Box or similar product
• Final Sorting is typically done by each trimmer directly after touch up is finished and right before product is transported to packaging
• Using The Bud Shaker Box, simply put the pile of touched up buds in the top container, give it a quick shake and then distribute the sorted buds from each of the 3 containers to packaging
• The Bud Shaker Box has 3 nesting containers, the bottom container is for collecting shake, the middle has 3/16” slots and collects popcorn, the top has ½” slots and collect the A and B buds
• To see details of the Bud Shaker Box Please visit: https://eztrim.com/product/bud-shaker-box/

PACKAGE PRODUCT FOR STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND SALES

Packaging the product into various size containers for sales or storage can be done in a variety of ways including by hand. There are several automated packaging companies in the industry that can help facilitate this process. The important thing is that it is done right after touch up to preserve quality.

Suggestions for Packaging:

• Weighpack – https://www.weighpack.com/cannabis-packaging-machines/
• Paxiom – https://www.paxiom.com/cannabis-packaging-machines/
• Green Vault Systems – https://greenvaultsystems.com/cannabis-packaging-machines/
• Canapa Solutions – https://www.canapasolutions.com/
• Dura-Pack – https://dura-pack.com/equipment/cannabis-packaging.html