After harvest, most cannabis growers focus on traditional drying and curing in jars. However, there is a lesser-known but highly effective method to obtain a purer and smoother smoke: water curing.

This refinement process consists of submerging already trimmed buds in clean water for several days, changing the water daily. In this way, most soluble impurities (chlorophyll, sugars, mineral salts, nutrient residues) responsible for harsh combustion are removed. The result: a smoother herb to smoke, less irritating to the throat and lungs, while preserving all cannabinoids.

Why cure cannabis in water?

Water curing is a post-harvest technique developed as an alternative to classic cannabis curing. Its principle is based on the fact that many substances responsible for the “green” or unpleasant taste are water-soluble. Instead of waiting several weeks for these compounds to naturally degrade inside a jar, the water bath accelerates the process by extracting them directly.

This method is especially useful when the plant was not properly flushed before harvest or when improving flowers that retained a fertilizer taste.

Before performing water curing, keep the following characteristics in mind:

• Process duration: 3 to 10 days.
• Substances removed: chlorophyll, sugars, mineral salts, residual nutrients.
• Cannabinoids: preserved (they are not water-soluble).
• Terpenes: partially lost, especially the most volatile ones.
• Appearance: duller, less aromatic flowers, but with a whiter, more even burn.
• Main advantage: extremely smooth smoke, ideal for sensitive users.
• Drawback: reduced aroma and flavor.
• Caution: dry the flowers thoroughly after the bath to prevent mold.

How to perform proper water curing step by step

1. Harvest and trimming: Once the plants are cut, remove the large leaves and the small resinous leaves if desired.
2. Immersion in water: Place the buds in a clean container filled with water at room temperature (18–24 °C). Use a weight or an inverted lid to keep them fully submerged.
3. Daily water change: Change the water each day to gradually remove dissolved substances. You will often see the water turn cloudy or greenish — a good sign that impurities are being released.
4. Duration: Generally 5 to 7 days is enough, though some extend to 10 days for a “cleaner” result.
5. Drying: After the final day, gently drain the flowers and let them dry in a dark, ventilated, dry place. This step is crucial to avoid mold.
6. Storage: Once fully dry, store the flowers in airtight jars, protected from light and humidity.

Practical tips

• Use very clean or distilled water.
• Do not overload the container: good water circulation improves cleaning.
• Observe the water color: the cloudier it is, the more impurities have been removed.
• The final drying must be slow and well controlled.
• This process is ideal for smoothing out harsh-tasting or poorly flushed herb.

Flavor and effect of water-cured cannabis

Water curing produces noticeably smoother, less irritating smoke because it removes chlorophyll and residues responsible for bitterness. However, this smoothness comes with a loss of aroma: some volatile terpenes dissolve in water, making the smell and flavor more neutral. The flowers therefore lose part of their aromatic appeal, but gain in comfort when smoked or vaporized.

Cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.) are not water-soluble, so they remain intact. The effect stays the same, although some users notice the experience feels more direct, as the absence of aromatic terpenes leaves a “purer” sensation without flavor modulation.

Conclusion: smoother smoke but less aromatic

Water curing is a simple, fast and effective technique to obtain a final product of exceptional smoothness. Although it slightly reduces the natural aroma of cannabis, it compensates with clean, light and pleasant smoke. It is especially recommended for users seeking a more comfortable experience or to improve a harvest with an overly aggressive taste.

The post Water Curing: the secret to ultra-smooth smoke appeared first on Alchimia blog.

Nutrient imbalance in cannabis plants?

In this post, we will focus on the macro and micro-nutrients necessary for the development of cannabis plants. These elements are available in the nutrients, so the chosen type of fertilizer and its correct use will lead us to a crop without deficiencies or excesses, thanks to properly planned and balanced feeding.

Different factors must be considered, so we’ll try to explain them simply so that all growers can dispel any doubts they may have about the nutrition of their cannabis plants.

What is a nutrient deficiency?

Deficiencies are often, although not as a general rule, a lack or inadequate supply of some nutritional element at a precise moment of the plant’s life.

To avoid deficiencies, plants must be fed with a complete fertilizer, specially designed for cannabis farming. pH level must be controlled, stabilized, and adjusted depending on the type of crop, either in hydroponic or soil crops, and for both potted and in-ground plants.

What is an excess of nutrients?

Excesses of nutrients are salt accumulations in the metabolism of the plants in a particular stage of their life. To avoid excesses when growing cannabis, we will have to use constant and balanced feeding adapted to each type of culture, substrate, and genetics. Each phenotype has its own needs, and knowing them ensures the best results and avoids nutritional issues.

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Macro-elements or Macro-nutrients

Nitrogen:

Nitrogen is the most required macro-element by cannabis plants throughout their life cycle.  A nitrogen deficiency can be easily detected when we observe chlorosis between the veins of the older, lower leaves. If the deficiency isn’t treated, the plant will suffer massive defoliation, and the growth will be seriously compromised.

An excess of nitrogen can be detected by the color and shape of the leaves of the plants. These become dark green and can adopt a claw-like form, curling down.

 Phosphorus:

Phosphorus is necessary at all life stages of the cannabis plant. The lack of this nutrient is detected in the leaves, which become blue-green and develop brown spots, along with slow growth. The veins and stems turn purple, and the leaves curl downwards, developing necrotic areas.

An excess of phosphorus usually causes a nutrient lockout, which, in turn, causes deficiencies of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Potassium:

Potassium plays the role of protector against diseases, actively participating in cellular development along with many other functions. With a lack of potassium, plants are more prone to getting all kinds of diseases.

The leaves turn dark green, spots appear, and they end up dying. An excess of potassium in plants acts by locking out other elements, resulting in a deficiency of magnesium, manganese, zinc, and iron.

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Secondary Nutrients

Magnesium:

Magnesium is a secondary nutrient essential for cannabis plants, which is used in large quantities during all phases of the plant’s life. Deficiencies of this nutrient are usual in soils with a pH value lower than 7.0. Magnesium is the central atom of the chlorophyll molecule, and it is also responsible for enhancing both the absorption of other nutrients and the creation of carbohydrates and sugars.

A magnesium deficiency is initially detected on the oldest, lower leaves, causing chlorosis between their veins, which turn dark green. As the deficiency advances, more and more young leaves are affected by dark spots and chlorosis. If the deficiency isn’t treated, the leaves will curve upwards and, in a few days, massive defoliation will affect the plant.

Sulfur: 

Sulfur is essential for the production of hormones and vitamins; it’s part of the amino acids and is directly involved in the flavor. A sulfur deficiency causes the oldest leaves to develop a lime-green, yellowish color. As the deficiency progresses, the leaves turn yellow while keeping their veins green, the petioles turn purple, and the stems become woody.

Most times, a deficiency of this trace element is usually preceded by a nutrient lockout caused by an excess of calcium or a pH level too high. The solution to this problem is to keep the PH between 5.5 and 6.0 by adding sulfur in ore form for quick assimilation. If a sulfur excess is produced, we should flush the roots.

Calcium:

Calcium is a very important element for cannabis plants since they need almost the same amount of macronutrients as calcium throughout their life. It’s essential for the creation and growth of cells. A Calcium deficiency causes slow plant growth, weak stems, and dark green leaves. To treat this deficiency, add some nutrients rich in calcium to the nutrient solution until the deficiency disappears.

An excess of calcium affects negatively to the overall growth of the plant, locking out other elements like potassium, magnesium, manganese, and iron. In hydroponic systems, an excess of calcium combined with sulfur causes precipitation in the form of plaster, which remains at the bottom of the tank and clogs the irrigation tubes. In this case, we should change the nutrient solution and carefully check Ca levels.

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The most relevant micro-nutrients

Micro-nutrients are nutritive elements that act as catalysts in the metabolic processes of plants, also in the use of other elements. For the correct use of these nutrients, they should be present in small quantities dissolved in fertilizers.

Zinc:

Deficiencies of zinc will surely appear when growing weed with an excessively alkaline substrate. It acts as a catalyst for various auxins, enzymes, and is also essential for the growth of the stems. A zinc deficiency is also usually caused by a PH level higher than 7.0, producing chlorosis between the veins of the youngest leaves, which grow thinner, twisted, and finally dry out. During the bloom period, the development of new buds and leaves stops until this problem is solved.

To treat zinc deficiencies, we must feed the plant with micro-elements that contain zinc in a chelated form to ensure rapid absorption and recovery of the plant.

Iron:

Iron is a necessary nutritive element for plants since it’s directly related to the use of energy by sugars. It’s easy to find iron deficiencies in plants grown in alkaline soils. This deficiency tends to be present in soils with a PH level above 6.5. Early symptoms can be observed in the youngest leaves, which turn yellowish while keeping green veins. If the deficiency continues, the plant will suffer serious defoliation.

An iron deficiency can be preceded by a nutrient lockout caused by an excess of copper. Other elements like zinc or manganese can cause a null absorption of iron by the plants, which will, in turn, cause several deficiencies. To solve an iron deficiency, avoid watering with fertilizers that contain high concentrations of Mn, Zn, and Co, and also reduce the PH level of the nutrient solution to 6.0-6.5.

Other micro-nutrients:

Boron: A boron deficiency causes the borders of the leaves to dry and brown, while the shoots are twisted. In the case of over-fertilization, the leaves suffer necrosis, causing severe defoliation on the plant.

Chlorine: A deficiency of this element is rare when using tap water. The leaves take a very characteristic bronzed color. The symptoms are the same in the case of an excess of chlorine.

Copper: This element is actively involved in the metabolism of the plant and the creation of carbohydrates, also helping in the production of sugars and proteins. In the case of a deficiency, this must be treated by watering with a mineral fertilizer rich in copper.

Excesses of copper, even slight ones, are very toxic. The first symptom is iron chlorosis along with overall slow growth of the plants.

Cobalt: It’s difficult to find deficiencies or excesses of cobalt since it is not very important for the development of the plant during its life cycle. When problems of deficiencies or excesses of this element happen, nitrogen will no longer be available for the plants.

Molybdenum: Finding deficiencies of this element in cannabis crops is also difficult since plants need it in very small quantities. When there is a lack of this element, nitrogen uptake is reduced, roots stop their growth, and leaves become twisted. An excess of this element causes plants to show deficiencies in copper and iron.

Silicon: Deficiencies of this mineral in cannabis plants are rare too. A deficiency is detectable by the deformation of new young leaves and an overall decrease in the final weight of the flowers.

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