CBD flower refers to the dried and cured bud of the Cannabis sativa L. plant, specifically the hemp variety. Cultivation is a specialized form of agriculture focused on maximizing non-intoxicating cannabinoids. To be legally classified as hemp in the United States, the flower must contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a dry weight basis, as established by the 2018 Farm Bill. The entire growing process is meticulously managed to maintain this low THC threshold while promoting high levels of Cannabidiol (CBD) and beneficial compounds like terpenes.
Selecting Genetics and Starting the Crop
The journey begins with the selection of genetics, a choice that determines the plant’s potential cannabinoid profile and compliance with federal law. Growers must choose high-CBD, feminized strains that have been bred specifically to ensure the Delta-9 THC content remains below the legal limit throughout the plant’s life cycle. Cultivators typically start their crop using one of two methods: planting seeds or using clones.
Starting from a feminized seed introduces genetic diversity, which can be useful for breeding new strains, and plants grown this way develop a strong, deep tap-root structure. Clones, which are cuttings taken from a healthy “mother” plant, offer genetic consistency, ensuring every plant in the field will have the same cannabinoid content and growth characteristics. This uniformity allows the entire crop to reach maturity simultaneously. The final decision also involves the growing environment, with options including open outdoor fields, climate-controlled indoor facilities, or hybrid greenhouse setups, each offering different levels of control over variables like light and temperature.
Managing the Vegetative and Flowering Stages
Once propagated, the young plants enter the vegetative stage, where the focus is on developing a robust structure to support future flower production. During this phase, plants require long periods of light—often 18 or more hours per day indoors—and a nutrient mix rich in nitrogen to fuel the rapid growth of leaves and stems. The vegetative stage can last for weeks, allowing the plant to build a dense canopy and a strong root system before the transition to flowering begins.
A critical step during this early growth is “sexing” the plants, which means identifying and removing any male plants. Female hemp plants produce the cannabinoid-rich flower; if males mature, their pollen will fertilize the females, causing them to produce seeds instead of potent flower. Once the plants reach the desired size, the flowering stage is initiated, typically triggered indoors by switching the light cycle to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness. Outdoors, the decreasing daylight hours of late summer naturally signal this transition.
The plant’s nutritional needs change significantly during the flowering stage, shifting away from nitrogen to a diet higher in phosphorus and potassium to support bud development. This is when the plant begins to produce the dense, resinous flowers covered in trichomes, which are the tiny glands that hold the CBD and terpenes. Throughout this phase, environmental control becomes important, as high humidity and inconsistent temperatures can lead to mold, mildew, or pest infestations that can quickly ruin the developing flowers.
Harvesting Drying and Curing the Flower
The final stage of cultivation begins with harvesting, a decision guided by the maturity of the trichomes, which are examined under magnification. Growers typically aim for a mix of cloudy and amber-colored trichomes, as this indicates the peak concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes before degradation begins. Harvesting too early reduces potency, while harvesting too late can result in a flower with excessively degraded compounds. The plants or branches are then cut down, and the post-harvest process begins immediately.
Drying is performed by hanging the cut material in a dark, climate-controlled environment, often with temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 45-60% humidity. This slow, deliberate drying process, which can take 7 to 14 days, is necessary to reduce the moisture content without evaporating the volatile terpenes, which contribute to the flower’s aroma and flavor. The flower is ready for the next step when the small stems snap cleanly instead of bending.
Curing is the final, refining step that improves the finished product’s quality, smoothness, and flavor. Dried flower is placed into airtight containers, such as glass jars, which are filled about 75% full. This process involves “burping” the containers—opening them daily for a short period—to release trapped moisture and gases, allowing the remaining chlorophyll to break down. Curing for several weeks allows the terpene profile to mature and stabilizes the flower, resulting in a smoother smoke and a richer, more complex flavor profile.