Cannabisblätter: Funktion und Form erklärt
Tips & Tricks

Pruning Cannabis – How to do it right

Do you want to harvest strong, resinous buds? Proper pruning of your cannabis plants is crucial! Trimming removes excess leaves and thus improves the quality of your harvest. In this guide, I’ll show you step by step how to perfectly trim your plants—whether you’re a beginner or a pro.

Why should you prune cannabis?

Trimming has several advantages:

  • Better air circulation: Fewer leaves mean less moisture buildup and less risk of mold.
  • More light for the buds: By removing unnecessary leaves, more light reaches the flowers.
  • Higher potency: Concentrated energy flows into the buds instead of unnecessary leaves.
  • Better appearance: Well-trimmed buds look more appealing and are easier to handle.

When is the best time to trim?

You can prune cannabis in two ways:

  1. Wet Trimming (Fresh Trimming):
    • Immediately after harvest, when the leaves are still wet.
    • Advantage: Leaves are easier to remove.
    • Disadvantage: The buds dry faster and can be a bit resinous.
  2. Dry Trimming:
    • After the buds have dried (approx. 5–7 days later).
    • Advantage: Gentler treatment of the trichomes.
    • Disadvantage: Dried leaves are a bit harder to cut.

Tip: If you value aroma and potency, try dry trimming!

Step-by-step guide to cannabis trimming

This is what you need:

  • Sharp scissors (preferably curved trimming scissors)
  • Gloves (to prevent sticky fingers)
  • Clean work surface
  • A bowl for the leaves (if you want to reuse them)

Here’s how to proceed:

  1. Remove the large fan leaves:
    • First, cut off the large leaves without trichomes.
  2. Trim the sugar leaves:
    • The small, resinous leaves around the buds can either be removed completely or just trimmed.
  3. Pay attention to the trichomes:
    • Be careful not to damage the valuable resin glands.
  4. Let the buds breathe:
    • After trimming, they should dry slowly to avoid mold.

Tips for perfect results

  • Work cleanly: Clean your scissors regularly to prevent resin from sticking.
  • Take your time: Rushing will result in messy cuts and damaged buds.
  • Use the leftovers: The cut leaves are suitable for hash, tea or extracts.

Conclusion

With the right trimming method, you’ll not only improve the appearance of your buds, but also their quality and potency. Experiment to see if wet or dry trimming suits you better, and don’t be afraid to experiment!