Bud rot is a fungal disease that can ruin your cannabis crops, even after harvest. Whether you grow cannabis commercially or privately, you should know all about what bud rot is and how to handle it to maximize each yield. Learn the basics below.
What Is Bud Rot?
Bud rot is a fungal infection that botrytis cinerea causes. It typically starts inside the dense buds, where it’s warm, dark, and humid. If you don’t catch the disease early, the fungus spreads, turning beautiful buds into mushy, unusable messes.
The fungus thrives in environments with high humidity and poor airflow, making indoor grow rooms particularly susceptible. But even outdoor operations aren’t immune to the dangers, especially if the cannabis plants grow too close together or receive heavy rain.
How To Identify Bud Rot
Spotting bud rot early can save most of your crop. Here’s what to look for:
- Brown or gray spots: Bud rot often begins as small brown or gray patches on your buds.
- Mushy, darkened buds: A bud affected by this fungus might feel soft or spongy.
- Odd smell: If your plant smells damp or musty, it’s a sign that bud rot may have set in.
- Fuzzy mold inside buds: Break apart any suspect buds and look for white, gray, or black mold inside.
How To Handle Bud Rot
If you notice any of the signs above, you should act quickly to save the uninfected part of your crop.
1. Remove the Affected Buds Immediately
Cut away infected buds as soon as you spot them. Be careful not to touch healthy parts of the plant while handling moldy parts, as you could spread the spores. Additionally, wear nitrile gloves as you handle and dispose of the diseased plants, and throw them out when you’re done. Using your bare hands makes it much more likely that you will spread the fungal spores to healthy cannabis.
2. Dial Down the Humidity
Though cannabis plants love humidity, so does bud rot. Keep your grow room’s humidity levels between 40 and 50 percent, especially during the flowering stage. If you grow in a particularly humid climate, consider running a dehumidifier.
3. Improve Airflow
Stale, humid air provides the right conditions for the fungus to grow, so make sure to pair your humidifying systems with ventilation.
4. Inspect Your Plants
Make it a habit to inspect your plants daily. If you spot early signs of bud rot, you can resolve the situation before it gets out of hand.
5. Use Preventative Measures
Consider using organic fungicides or beneficial microbes to discourage fungal growth.
Stay Ahead of Bud Rot
Now that you know what bud rot is and how to handle it, you can improve the yield and quality of your cannabis crops. Keep the air flowing, the humidity down, and your eyes peeled.
