Everything you need to know about trichomes
If you have ever explored why cannabis is what it is, we bet you have already encountered the strange term trichome. Although it sounds like one of the many essential chemical compounds found in cannabis, such as cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes, a trichome is where they are produced.
Trichomes perform vital tasks throughout the life of the cannabis plant. They also are an essential factor in the quality of any strain. Therefore, before you search for various the best trichomes, you should get familiar with all the types and their exact roles. Shall we?
What are trichomes?
If you look at a fully grown hemp plant, trichomes are the tiny outgrowths protruding from buds and the small leaves around them, the so-called sugar leaves. Interestingly enough, the word trichome comes from the Greek word ‘tríchōma,’ which means ‘hair growth.’ From a distance, however, trichomes may remind a layer of icing covering the plant. Have you ever learned that someone compares THC crystals or resins to the effectiveness of cannabis?
Whether they know it or not, they talk about the high number of trichomes. These fine outgrowths contain a much higher concentration of cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes than any other part of the plant.
Although we only use the example of cannabis, trichomes are found on many other kinds of plants. They may look different and serve different purposes, but they all are trichomes. To avoid any confusion, we will stick just to cannabis in the following text.
What are trichomes for?
Like many similar parts found in most plants, trichomes serve more than one purpose. They contain a lot of desirable compounds, often in the form of resin. They also play an essential role in the plant’s defense.
Trichomes as a defense against abiotic elements
Female cannabis plants are very fragile during the flowering phase, being exposed to different elements, namely, heat, UV light, and wind. Therefore, they pose a threat to an unprotected plant. But trichomes keep the plant safe from these threats. They cover enough of the plant’s surface to keep it cool and are biologically adapted to reflect UV rays. At the same time, trichomes serve as a protective layer against the wind, which could damage the plant’s structure.
Trichomes as a defense against animals and pests
Trichomes not only fight the natural forces, but they also repel many species from the animal kingdom. Like many other flowering plants, cannabis can be tempting for pests and other insects that wish to take a bite. Fortunately, the chemical compounds in trichomes are exactly what various insects or even larger animals hate. Trichomes secrete a sour taste and a powerful aroma, thanks to which the plant is practically inedible for most species.
Types of trichomes
There are many different types of trichomes. Some are more common than others, but all play a vital role. First of all, we must distinguish between glandular and non-glandular trichomes.
Glandular trichomes
In short, glandular trichomes are those that produce chemical substances inside the gland head. Three main kinds of trichomes coat the cannabis plant.
Capitate-stalked trichomes
They are between 50 to 100 microns wide. Capitate-stalked trichomes are the largest. Yes, it is them you see the first when you take a closer look at a high-quality bud. As the name suggests, each has a relatively long stalk. A huge gland rich in cannabinoids and terpenes rests on its top.
Capitate-sessile trichomes
They are smaller than their formerly mentioned cousins, still essential, though. They are medium-sized trichomes that measure around 25 to 30 microns in width. Having also a stalk, they are, however, much shorter. As a result, the gland contains proportionally fewer compounds.
Bulbous trichomes
Finally, bulbous trichomes are practically microscopic despite the name being only 10 to 15 microns wide. They do not have a stalk-like the first two. But they do cover the entire surface of the plant. Although they contain the same kind of compounds as the others, they hold a minimum amount due to their reasonably small capacity.
Non-glandular trichomes
As you may have already guessed, these trichomes do not have glands, meaning that they do not hold cannabinoids or other compounds, the reasons we love trichomes. However, they still serve many purposes and should not be ignored entirely.
Single-cell trichomes
Single-cell trichomes protect the plant from extreme temperatures and water loss. They already begin to coat the seedling, later appearing on the underside of the leaves. As their name suggests, they are single-celled and cannot be seen without a microscope. However, if you look closely, you might notice the similarity with tiny hairs.
Cystolithic trichomes
Cystolithic trichomes also occur at the early stage of the plant’s growth. They look similar to their single-celled cousins, except they are larger and have a unique outgrowth on the cell walls, making them rough to the touch. It is assumed that they protect a young plant from predators.
Aetherial sessile trichomes
Finally, aetherial sessile trichomes are only on anthers and surround the plant’s calyxes. With a width of 80 microns, they are one of the most prominent sessile trichomes. However, those located on the calyx are slightly smaller.
The trichome life cycle
Likewise, the plant on which they grow trichomes has its developing process too. It synchronizes with the plant’s growth process, with the first fundamental changes occurring in the third and fourth weeks of the flowering stage. From now on, you need to pay attention to them to find out when is the right time to harvest. We recommend using a jewelry magnifying glass or microscope that can zoom in at least 120X.
Determination of the harvest
As the harvest time approaches, you will see the trichomes turning one of three tones: clear, cloudy, or amber. If the trichomes are clear, it simply means that the plant is not yet ready for harvest as it still produces resin, which is being pushed into the glands. Thus, the glands are not filled yet. Therefore, if you harvested the plant now, you would not get the best effects from the plant material.
As soon as the glands become cloudy, they have reached their maximum capacity. Culturists who grow Sativa should wait even longer, though. It does not mean that the strain is necessarily potent, but it means that it is now as strong as it can be.
When this phase ends, the trichomes turn amber. If you grow Indica, this is the best time to harvest. Amber-toned trichomes suggest that the plant’s effect will be relaxing rather than uplifting. If you seek this type of effect, wait until about 50 % of the trichomes turn amber.
Trichome isolation
Since they contain all the resin, which makes cannabis so appreciated, you may want to isolate the plant’s trichomes to create a concentrate. Fortunately, you have several options available.
Mechanically (with a grinder)
It possibly comes to your mind: “Wait a minute, did you mean the usual kind of a grinder?” Well, yes! If you have the three-chamber grinder, you already know how to isolate trichomes mechanically! Put the material into it, grind it, and you will find the separated trichomes in the lowest chamber.
“But this is just kief,” you might think. Exactly, dear reader! Kief is an accumulation of trichomes in powder form. Of course, you will not obtain 100 % of what has to offer, but it is still a decent amount.
Solvent-based extraction
If you want to be even more successful in separating trichomes, you can try solvent-based extraction. Compressed butane is used to separate the plant matter from its trichomes. Yet, this is not very safe due to the potentially explosive nature of butane. However, most concentrates available on the legal cannabis market are produced using this method. Even with potential safety risks, it is the cheapest and effective method. It becomes dangerous only if it is carried out in a homemade lab.
Solvent-free extraction
Finally, the safest and most effective method available is solvent-free extraction. To do this at home, add the cannabis material into the water with ice and shake it well to begin the separation. This process is quite complex, so we recommend that you walk yourself through a tutorial. However, you will get a clean product in the end. Last but not least, use high-quality filter bags and make sure you have a good and reliable press at your disposal.
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