Wet trimming vs. dry trimming: Which one is better for manicuring cannabis?

The art of growing cannabis goes way beyond simply planting seeds and watching them grow: the effort invested in the post-harvest process will also be reflected in the quality of the final product. Therefore, choosing the best way to manicure your cannabis plants after they’ve been cut is one of the keys to success. A good trimming of the leaves is crucial to reduce the risk of mould, increase potency, and improve the overall appearance of the flowers. But the challenge also lies in choosing the most suitable manicuring method.

Growing cannabis is a process that can sometimes be complex because of the number of steps required. Having said that, perhaps one of the most important steps to get your cannabis buds from the growing pots to the glass jars is the act of removing the leaves surrounding them, which is known in the cannabis community as ‘trimming’ or ‘manicuring’. There are currently two major methods used by growers: wet trimming and dry trimming; and the debate continues as to which of them is more effective.

What are the objectives of ‘trimming’?

The truth is that every grower can develop their own system for producing cannabis; and the trimming method often depends on personal experience. But the final objective is always the same, starting with the bag appeal of the final product: Well-trimmed cannabis, with a uniform appearance, gives a very good impression and catches the eye.

And not only that… The small leaves that are trimmed off have a lower concentration of trichomes; so, by removing them, you’re ultimately increasing the potency and quality of the buds. In addition, larger leaves have a higher chlorophyll content and so tend to produce a smoke that is harsher and more unpleasant.

But the most important thing is that well-trimmed buds maintain a uniform level of humidity during the curing process, which translates into a much smoother and tastier smoke.

Therefore, when it comes to harvesting cannabis, the debate between wet trimming and dry trimming is crucial for growers. Both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, with the choice depending largely on personal preference, environmental factors, and the desired outcome.

What is wet trimming?

Wet or fresh trimming involves removing the leaves from the plant as soon as it is harvested, before it’s had a chance to dry out. This is considered a more efficient method and is perhaps better suited to rookie growers – once it’s done, the grower only needs to dry the buds, without having to worry about removing the leaves afterwards.

First, the larger leaves (commonly known as ‘fan leaves’) are removed, followed by the smaller ones (called ‘sugar leaves’). These are easier to remove from cannabis buds when they’re wet, because then they don’t curl up and stick out perpendicular to the bud, meaning it’s possible to make a more precise cut. This is probably the most outstanding benefit of wet trimming, as it makes the process much easier and usually speeds up the result.

Wet trimming also causes fewer breakages in the trichomes because they’re not as fragile or as delicate as they are after drying. Besides, most ‘waste’ material can be removed immediately, minimising the amount of space taken up in a compact grow.

But beyond the buds themselves, wet trimming is more compatible with commercial trimming machines, as buds are much easier to cut in drum-type devices. For large-scale production, wet trimming is certainly the way to go.

However, this process can also present certain drawbacks:

• It can reduce quality: The removal of sugar and fan leaves speeds up the drying time of the plant, which can reduce the quality of the final product if it dries too quickly, resulting in a more airy and spongy bud with a greater loss of terpenes.
• Potential taste of grass: Some growers believe that wet trimming can increase that ‘grass flavour’ in cannabis by exposing the plant’s chlorophyll to the air and not allowing bacteria to decompose it naturally… The greater the amount of undecomposed chlorophyll, the stronger the smoke.
• Greater stickiness: Fresh buds are extremely sticky, so they’re more difficult to handle and they can potentially clog the cutting tools, especially when it comes to removing the sugar leaves.

What is dry trimming?

Dry manicuring involves trimming the cannabis buds after they’ve dried out, but before they undergo the curing process. For many growers, the biggest advantage of dry trimming is the opportunity to preserve the outstanding quality of the final product.

As the buds are protected by the leaves that surround them during the drying, they can dry at optimal speed. The result is often denser buds, with more developed terpene profiles and a richer trichome layer, which translates into a first-rate product.

This method can also seem less complicated: Although it requires more time than wet trimming, the buds aren’t as sticky, so the trimming process itself is less stressful because there’s less need to be constantly cleaning the tools.

You can also divide the cutting process into several parts if needed, in contrast to wet trimming, which involves cutting everything all at once. This gives you more time to focus on getting the best results from each cutting session.

But this method can also present certain disadvantages:

• It requires more space: The whole plants are hung up to dry before they’re trimmed, so dry manicuring generally requires a significant amount of space.
• Trichomes can be damaged: Bear in mind that a drier cannabis bud is more delicate, and the brittle trichomes can be damaged more easily if not handled with care.
• Increased risk of mould formation: While both techniques carry this risk, this is greater for the dry method, as there’s usually more moisture in the drying room which needs to be closely monitored.

The verdict: Which of the two manicuring methods is best?

Wet trimming and dry trimming both offer several advantages and disadvantages; and one method is not necessarily better than the other. While some growers lean more towards one or the other, it really comes down to personal preference, experience, and the time and energy available.

When planning the post-harvest process of cannabis, other factors such as genetics or plant structure also come into play. Wet trimming can be beneficial for certain cannabis varieties, especially for those susceptible to mould, as it allows for faster drying and reduces moisture. Dry trimming may be more suitable for plants with more robust structures, which can withstand the drying period without losing quality.

But if you’re still debating between the two options, combining them can also prove successful. After harvesting, when the marijuana is still wet, you can remove most of the leaves, leaving just a few to dry optimally. Once dried, you can go through each bud until you leave them completely spotless before the curing phase. This ‘double trimming’ may seem laborious, but who says we won’t get to enjoy the best buds that can be obtained?