Bud Rot, also known as gray mold, is a destructive fungus that can turn a whole harvest into a total loss. Considering the severity of gray mold, it will always be a hot topic for growing, drying, and storing your hemp flower.
Thankfully, you can prevent gray mold if proper action is taken throughout your Cannabis plants' lifecycle, especially when it is close to harvest time.
In this article, I'll cover how Dr. Zymes Eliminator, Essentria IC-3, and Biosafe Zerotol make a fantastic trio for keeping mold out of your dry rooms in your post-harvest season without risking chemical residues.
Want to speed up your path to enjoying a smooth smoke?
Check out our full line of Premium Pre Rolls in Lifters, Drifters and Shifters.
What is Bud Rot
Bud Rot is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea and has been one of Cannabis and hemp plants' most destructive pests for decades.
You can identify Bud Rot by its gray, fuzzy appearance, usually accompanied by the browning of leaves and flowers attached to the same affected branch. Abnormal growth and spots are also an early sign of Bud Rot.
This type of mold is a moisture and humidity loving fungus that thrives in cold climates with low air circulation.
It's dusty gray spores are spread via direct contact with the plant and can travel through the wind, water, people, and animals.
Bud Rot occurs during harvest season when plants are at their maximum, and buds are packed tightly together in most outdoor or greenhouse scenarios.
Also, caterpillars and grasshoppers are a significant problem in outdoor and greenhouse hemp operations.
These insects eat into the plant, leaving dead plant material and frass (insect droppings) behind, a perfect breeding ground for mold.
In this case, Bud Rot is the secondary pest after the caterpillar, and both are incredibly destructive.
Canvast Flower is free of all contaminants
Why Preventing Bud Rot Matters
If you harvest hemp flower with even small amounts of Bud Rot and bring them into your dry room, you risk getting mold on ALL of the flower in that drying space.
The whole purpose of a dry room is to remove moisture from the freshly harvested flowers. Bringing in Bud Rot into a room can allow the fungus to spread to other flower that is still moist and begin to colonize in as quickly as 12 hours.
Many buyers and processors now require microbial/mold testing on flower that they purchase. You risk failing these tests once mold enters your drying space!
Your goal should be to eliminate the problem while it is still in the field to prevent Bud Rot altogether.
How To Identify Bud Rot?
Bud rot, also known as Botrytis cinerea, is a fast-spreading fungal disease that can quickly devastate your cannabis plants if left unchecked. This is why it is important to identify bud rot as quickly as possible. It typically starts within the dense inner layers of the buds, making it hard to spot in its early stages.
The fungus thrives in high-humidity conditions with poor air circulation, often taking hold after periods of rain, overwatering, or inadequate drying between watering sessions. Bud rot progresses through different stages, beginning with subtle discoloration and eventually leading to a complete breakdown of the bud’s structure. Identifying bud rot early is critical to preventing its spread and protecting the rest of your crop.
Here are the key signs to watch for when inspecting your cannabis plants:
-
Discoloration: Healthy buds should be vibrant green, but the onset of bud rot often causes areas of the buds to turn yellow, brown, or gray.
-
Wilted or Dry Buds: Affected buds may appear weak, wilted, or excessively dry. They lose their firmness and start to break apart.
-
Fuzzy Mold Growth: Look for patches of white, gray, or brown fuzz on the buds, particularly in areas with limited airflow or excessive moisture.
-
Crumbly Texture: Buds with advanced rot crumble easily when touched, as the mold breaks down the internal structure.
-
Unpleasant Odor: While healthy cannabis has a fresh and fragrant aroma, buds with rot may emit a musty, damp smell that signals fungal activity.
To avoid missing the early signs of bud rot, inspect your plants daily, especially in humid or rainy weather. Taking preventative measures and addressing environmental factors can significantly reduce the chances of bud rot taking hold.
How to Cure Bud Rot
There is a vast and overwhelming amount of horticultural products and practices out there that supposedly "cure" Bud Rot. Anyone experienced in growing Cannabis plants will know that there is no one magical solution.
However, there certainly are multiple methods and products that can almost guarantee that you will be free of Bud Rot if you are persistent and plan.
The best defense against Bud Rot is to plant your rows with proper spacing for airflow for good circulation and air filtration - if growing indoors.
That said, healthy plants play a crucial role in your plants' natural defenses, so make sure your nutrient program is proven to be successful.
Be sure to prune dead/rotted flowers you find and sanitize your equipment regularly.
When insects and Bud Rot inevitably strike, a few products are proven to work for Cannabis/Hemp without the risk of chemical residues or burns on your precious flower.
Essentria IC-3 is an excellent insecticide for tackling insects and mites before they leave their damage and droppings. If you prevent the bugs, you can prevent the mold that they cause! It is a blend of botanically extracted ingredients (mostly essential oils) that are natural and can even have an anti-mold effect on its own. It also doubles as a product that can be used in your drying room to sanitize and kill bugs that nest in your harvest!
Purchase Essentria IC-3
Dr. Zymes Eliminator is another fantastic all-around product: insecticide, miticide, fungicide, and antibacterial. It is a mixture of plant-derived Citric Acid from a fermentation process. It is combined with other biologically stimulating ingredients formulated to keep your plants pest and mold-free. Dr. Zymes is also OMRI listed and friendly for organic growers and can be applied on the day of harvest! Just like the other two products listed here, Dr. Zymes can double as a spray for cleaning and sanitizing your harvest facility/dry rooms. I've personally battled Bud Rot many times and have had fantastic results by rotating Dr. Zymes Eliminator with BioSafe ZeroTol.
Purchase Dr. Zymes Essentria IC-3
BioSafe ZeroTol has proven to be one of the essential products in my arsenal as a Hemp grower. It is essentially a mixture of food-grade hydrogen peroxide and peroxyacetic acid, both well known and safe products if used correctly. ZeroTol is a powerful broad-spectrum bactericide and fungicide that kills algae, bacteria, fungi, and their spores on contact. It's a PERFECT solution for getting rid of Bud Rot in your gardens and sanitizing your plants just before harvest. There is no REI for this product, and can also be sprayed on the day of harvest to prevent mold as your flowers hang to dry!
Purchase BioSafe ZeroTol
You can also use ZeroTol as an anti-fungal root drench for your plants. Use it as a dip for sanitizing your tools or a spray for sanitizing your grow/dry rooms and harvest facilities. I spray my plants with ZeroTol the morning of or day before harvest to prevent the Bud Rot from entering my drying facilities.
How To Prevent Bud Rot
Preventing bud rot starts with understanding its causes and creating an environment that makes it difficult for mold to develop. Since bud rot thrives in high humidity, stagnant air, and cool, damp conditions, growers must prioritize proper environmental controls. Ensuring a healthy growing environment includes consistent monitoring, regular maintenance, and using high-quality plant care products. By taking a proactive approach, you can protect your cannabis plants and maximize your harvest.
Here are essential strategies to prevent bud rot:
-
Maintain Proper Humidity: Keep humidity levels between 40-50% during the flowering stage. Use dehumidifiers in indoor grow spaces or ensure outdoor plants have adequate airflow.
-
Enhance Air Circulation: Stagnant air creates ideal conditions for mold. Place oscillating fans around your grow space to keep the air moving and prevent moisture buildup.
-
Regulate Temperature: Mold develops rapidly in cool conditions. Keep temperatures between 68-77°F (20-25°C) to limit fungal growth.
-
Prune Dense Foliage: Remove excess leaves and stems to improve airflow and light penetration through the plant canopy. Dense foliage traps moisture and creates mold-friendly conditions.
-
Water Responsibly: Overwatering or watering late in the day increases humidity levels around plants. Water early in the morning to allow soil and foliage to dry throughout the day.
-
Inspect Plants Regularly: Conduct daily checks for signs of bud rot, especially in humid climates. Remove infected buds immediately to prevent the spread of mold to healthy plants.
-
Use Preventative Products: Apply natural fungicides or mold-prevention sprays to create a protective barrier against fungal spores.
By following these steps, you can create a grow environment that minimizes the risk of bud rot and ensures your cannabis plants remain healthy and productive.
Conclusion
It is easy to get overwhelmed by the number of pests and diseases that can affect your hemp plants. Bud Rot has proven itself to be one of the most destructive pests in the hemp industry. The key is to know your enemy and stay persistent in the fields before it is time to harvest your plants.
A full spectrum rotation of horticultural practices and products is the best way to keep your plants clean and free of Bud Rot/gray mold. Bring clean plants into a clean drying facility, and you will benefit. Essentria IC-3, Dr. Zymes Eliminator, and BioSafe Zerotol that your plants need to prevent a moldy, low-quality harvest. Rotation of multiple products is the key to keeping pests at bay.
Having multi-use products is good for your plants and easy on your budget. Spend time learning these products and putting a plan in place. As we say at Canvast "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botrytis_cinerea
