Why do some buds look like this?

I've noticed that regardless of how frosty the buds, or how big the calyxes are, most buds (including some of the best stuff) look like a bunch of calxyes and neatly trimmed sugar leaves if there are any, and then some others look almost like moss covered rocks. The moss looking ones are usually solid masses, and can be rock hard when dry, since there is almost no open space in them.

So, what causes them to look like the 3rd and 4th picture? It's not simply a matter of being grown in better conditions, since a lot of top growers produce amazing buds that still have a similar structure to the first two pictures. Is it mostly strain based?







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I think it's the type of buds that particular strain produces. Here's what's left of this Deadhead OG nug I'm smoking on, the buds looked similar to the top pic.

I've noticed my homegrown looks more like the top pics and most of the stuff for sale in my illegal state looks like the last two. I think it has something to do with how its processed as far as trimming, curing, storing, shipping... I don't know maybe they chop it before the calyxes swell up.

The bottom 2 pics look like they've been a little smashed, or crammed into a bag with other buds

The top 2 look like they've been pampered since harvesting

I think it's different strains and maybe different conditions for growing.

If two plants of the same phenotype do this then it's down to environment. Buds grown at higher temp higher humidity or lower light levels will open up a lot more because they need to cool down, dry out or collect more radiation. Whereas buds finished with low temperatures low humidity and higher light levels stay dense because they're trying to conserve heat, moisture or because they're getting enough radiation. Hope this helps. Just look at the tip of a cola usually dense and hard, then move down the plant into the more crowded moister areas, buds are a little more open and there's space between the calyx .

This is just going off my experience and I can't prove it 100% but it's my opinion. Obviously if it's from different genetics then that plays a role aswell. Hope this helps

I was hoping someone who has grown two plants side by side, and gotten some buds like the first pics and some like the last pics. That would definitely help the "it's genetic" argument.

EverythingsHazy said:

I was hoping someone who has grown two plants side by side, and gotten some buds like the first pics and some like the last pics. That would definitely help the "it's genetic" argument.

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Ur allwAys gonna get a mixed bag of answers with this one. If it helps my sweet tooth grows similar buds to the top pics and my blue cheese grows similar buds to the bottom pics. Two different strains, identical environment, different bud formation. Sativas usually display characteristics shown in the top pic where as indicas usually look like the bottom pic.

Personally I'd say it's 50/50 genetics/environment.

Does anyone know if its appropriate to give the plant a final trim while she is finishing so the buds can get more light

EverythingsHazy said:

I was hoping someone who has grown two plants side by side, and gotten some buds like the first pics and some like the last pics. That would definitely help the "it's genetic" argument.

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I have grown both plants side by side. You can tell throughout the flower cycle what the buds will look like. Since I grew different strains side by side, I always assumed it was due to different strains.

I have very limited experience growing outdoors but the two plants I did in the back yard this year had that look of the top two buds. My indoor weed looks like the bottom buds but don't listen to me. Just an observation and I'm probably wrong since I don't get out much. haha

OGAerogardener1990 said:

Does anyone know if its appropriate to give the plant a final trim while she is finishing so the buds can get more light

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Again Ur gonna get mixed answers with this one, I say, if it's blocking light then pluck it out. But Im not reccomending total defoliation. Leave that one to more experienced growers and straight fools alike.

Moldy said:

I have very limited experience growing outdoors but the two plants I did in the back yard this year had that look of the top two buds. My indoor weed looks like the bottom buds but don't listen to me. Just an observation and I'm probably wrong since I don't get out much. haha

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What strains are you growing indoors that look like the bottom 2 pics? Also, how much light are you using?

Idk but those two bottom nugs look much more "dense" and indica like vs those two top sativa looking nugs. I can tell already that breaking apart those two bottom nugs will feel like ripping roots out of the ground.

Strain,health and environment are your factors here. And it varies from strain to strain when it comes to optimal health.

Im a sucker for density too...

Genetic leaf and calyx structure is the first factor. The second and third would be temp and light intensity. I've noticed that, obviously, when using high powered HPS the density is increased tremendously resulting in buds more like the latter two. They usually aren't quite as frosty though, but nowhere in nature's rule book does it say that density results in increased potency. In fact, the less UVb penetrating the surfaces the less trichome development. Using common sense, one could theorize that the plant no longer desires to defend its inner portions once it's been overgrown. This is quite speculative though. Neat thread.

I grow hundreds of plants, and create lots of hybrids every year. Definitely genetics.
Light has nothing to do with it.

Calyx to leaf ratio

Looks like the top nugs had the sugar leaves left on them whereas the bottom ones were trimmed tighter.

The top buds look mature and the bottoms look young mostly leaves

UncleReemis said:

Genetic leaf and calyx structure is the first factor. The second and third would be temp and light intensity. I've noticed that, obviously, when using high powered HPS the density is increased tremendously resulting in buds more like the latter two. They usually aren't quite as frosty though, but nowhere in nature's rule book does it say that density results in increased potency. In fact, the less UVb penetrating the surfaces the less trichome development. Using common sense, one could theorize that the plant no longer desires to defend its inner portions once it's been overgrown. This is quite speculative though. Neat thread.

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I've thought on those same lines myself...it would seem a more looser or fluffier would be a little more potent then the tight dense bud .

EverythingsHazy said:

What strains are you growing indoors that look like the bottom 2 pics? Also, how much light are you using?

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The strain(s) I've ran are various but one was a cross with THC bomb x Cotton candy (herm issues), another was THC bomb x NYC Diesel #2 by HSO that appeared similar to the bottom nugs under 640 w DE-AC.