What is hemp?
Fiber hemp is a legal plant, unlike marijuana (also known as medical marijuana). Both of them are Cannabis plants, but the main criterion that distinguishes hemp from marijuana is the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a component found in a plant. This compound is psychoactive, therefore the amount of THC in hemp is strictly controlled.
Thus, in hemp varieties, mainly Cannabis Sativa, the THC content is very low, reaching 0.02%, which is legal by law. This amount is safe to use and will not cause any intoxicating effects. Cannabis is cultivated for another beneficial compound, cannabidiol (CBD), and the Cannabis Sativa variety is rich in CBD. In the last decade, much scientific research has analyzed CBD and its effects on the human body. And the research results are really encouraging, providing evidence of the beneficial properties of CBD.
No wonder that the cultivation of hemp, production, and trade of CBD has become a huge industry that is growing rapidly and is worth billions of dollars worldwide.
What makes hemp flowers special?
The hemp flower is the most valuable part of the hemp plant, containing the largest amounts of CBD and other beneficial compounds. Many cannabis growers focus all their attention and activity on growing and harvesting cannabis flowers. The global CBD market is hungry, and the supply has not yet kept up with the demand. So there is huge potential and opportunity here – to grow hemp flowers and use them to produce CBD products or to sell CBD-rich raw material to large producers. Sometimes hemp flowers are also called CBD flowers due to the main and most important CBD compound they contain.
CBD flowers and their cultivation require separate knowledge and specificity to grow a good crop of flowers. There are a few important things anyone interested in growing hemp flowers should know about.
Highlights on growing CBD-rich hemp flowers
If you have decided to grow cannabis for its buds, you must:
1. check your country’s laws to make sure you can grow hemp plants and produce hemp flowers.
2. If the answer to the previous question is yes, then choose the right seeds.
The Cannabis Sativa variety is popular due to the fact that the plants have a higher CBD amount.
3. To grow good hemp buds, you need to focus on the female hemp plants, as female plants have large flowers and produce the most CBD.
a. Some growers choose a different path – they grow hemp for hemp seed oil, which is also very beneficial for health, it is a source of omega-3.
b. Recommended to buy feminized seeds from certified breeders as feminized seeds provide up to 97% female cannabis plants, so the risk of male cannabis plants is greatly reduced.
4. The time of harvesting hemp flowers is a critical moment that should not be missed. The cannabis bud or flower should be harvested at some stage of flowering when the bud is ripe and contains the most naturally produced CBD compound.
What is the best time? – the trichomes of the cannabis plant and their color will help answer this question when the trichomes turn amber, it’s time to harvest! It is the glandular trichomes that produce the most CBD compound, and the trichomes themselves are the most abundant in hemp flowers.
When harvesting hemp flowers, you must be very careful and take your time not to damage trichomes, thus preserving as much of the plant’s beneficial properties as possible.
Hemp flower crop processing
This is the second important job that must be done very responsibly. If you have invested a lot of time, knowledge, and effort into growing the highest quality hemp flowers, this quality should not be lost in the processing of the crop. As we mentioned, it is important to properly harvest hemp flowers so that they are as little damaged as possible and lose their useful properties as little as possible.
Then you need to dry the hemp flowers very well. The ideal temperature for this process should be around 64-70 °F and around 50% humidity. Low drying temperatures and appropriate humidity will preserve the most beneficial compounds: CBD, terpenes, and flavonoids.
The space where drying hemp flowers should be protected from direct sunlight and constantly ventilated, i.e. a constant supply of fresh air should be ensured. Under these conditions, hemp flowers should dry in 4-5 days and larger flowers in 6-7 days. It is very important to observe and make sure that the inside (center) of the hemp flower dries out to avoid mold or other risks.
Later, when the hemp flowers are completely dried and ready to use, they should also be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight. And of course, you can start reaping the benefits of hemp flowers and CBD.
Hemp flower tea is an exceptional product for wellbeing
Want to discover the benefits of CBD? One of the easiest ways to do this is to try hemp flower tea. Brewing and drinking tea is a daily routine for many people, and it’s even better to find time for yourself to relax and unwind. This routine requires no additional preparation, just place a few hemp flowers in a cup, pour boiling water over it, and leave it for about 5 minutes. Then enjoy your hemp flower tea.
When is it recommended to drink hemp flower tea?
The short answer is: always and whenever you want because this tea is not intoxicating or addictive. One of the most popular reasons why people choose hemp flower tea is to reduce symptoms of insomnia, so it is natural that you will get the greatest effect if you drink this tea 20-30 minutes before bedtime.
Other reasons why people like hemp flower tea:
· Reducing symptoms of anxiety, stress, or even depression
· Chronic pain relief
· Reduction of inflammatory processes
In these cases, drink hemp flower tea when you start feeling symptoms or on your own schedule when you feel the best effects.
The CBD compound is unique because it interacts with receptors in the human body called endocannabinoids, which are responsible for various functions and organs of the body. Thus, depending on the state of the body and functional disorders, CBD binds to the appropriate receptors and helps to restore the activity of their regulated functions.
