How Does Frost Affect CBD and THC

Cannabis is a versatile plant known for its medicinal and recreational uses. It includes both hemp and marijuana. Cannabis is a resilient plant with the ability to thrive in various conditions, but frost can pose challenges to cannabis cultivation. It is susceptible to frost damage, especially in regions with extremely cold winters.

Long exposure to freezing conditions can impact cannabinoid levels in cannabis plants, leading to compromised quality. Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two primary cannabinoids actively present in cannabis plants. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant that produces psychoactive effects. Unlike THC, CBD doesn't have psychoactive effects. The primary difference between marijuana and hemp plants is their THC concentration. Hemp plants contain a small amount of THC, typically less than 0.3%. Cannabis plants with THC levels higher than 0.3% are marijuana.

As a cannabis grower, it is crucial for you, especially growers in cold climates, to understand how frost affects cannabis and take measures to protect plants from any winter damage. This blog post will help you understand the impact of frost on cannabis and provide tips on how to prevent the effects of frost to achieve better quality yields.

Cannabis and Frost

Cannabis plants thrive in temperatures between 20-30°C during the day and 15-20°C at night. It is sensitive to freezing temperatures, and most strains experience severe damage below -2°C. Some frost-resistant strains can tolerate lower temperatures. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can be harmful to cannabis plants.

Young Plants: Seedlings and young cannabis plants are highly vulnerable to frost. They struggle to recover from cellular damage by frost due to their small size and weak roots.

Flowering Stage: Frost exposure during the cannabis flowering stage can significantly affect bud development, resulting in reduced yields and poor-quality flowers. Additionally, frost can damage trichomes, which are resinous glands in buds that contain cannabinoids. Damage to trichomes may reduce the potency and scent of the final product.

The Impact of Frost on Cannabis

Frost occurs when temperatures fall below freezing, forming ice crystals on plants. Ice crystals on cannabis plants can damage the cellular structure and disrupt essential functions such as nutrient absorption and photosynthesis. Frost can also rupture the plant cells, causing visible damage.

Cell Damage: Water in plant cells can freeze due to frost. When the water turns into ice and expands, it can break cell walls, which leads to cellular damage or plant death.

Nutrient Absorption: Frost can make it difficult for roots to uptake nutrients from soil, which may lead to nutrient deficiencies and poor plant health.

Reduced Photosynthesis: Extremely low temperatures also slow plant metabolic functions, such as photosynthesis. This can slow down growth and limit the plant's ability to generate energy.

Effect of Frost on Cannabis Aroma and Flavor

Extremely low temperatures can change the production and accumulation of cannabinoids, which might affect the potency and medicinal properties of buds. Likewise, frost can alter the terpene composition, which will affect the flavor and aromatic characteristics of the final product. Long exposure to frost can disrupt the balance of terpenes. Terpenes are responsible for the unique flavor and aroma of different strains.

Signs of Frost Damage

It is essential to identify frost damage promptly to prevent permanent damage. Multiple signs and symptoms can identify frost damage. Common signs of frost-damaged plants include wilting, darkened leaves, and a mushy or slimy texture. Frost-damaged plants also exhibit drooping stems and leaves. Dead tissue will appear on leaves and buds, which may lead to mold issues. Frost damage can cause stunted plant growth, a decline in plant health, and reduced yield. However, the severity of damage can vary depending on exposure and plant stage.

How to Grow Cannabis in Frost-Prone Areas and Protect Your Plants from Frost Damage

Below are some effective strategies to help you grow cannabis in frost-prone areas and protect your crops.

Choose a Suitable Cannabis Strain

Choose cannabis strains that exhibit resistance to colder temperatures and frost. Some strains are specially bred to thrive in cold climates. Opt for strains known for frost resistance and shorter flowering periods to avoid the peak frost season. Some popular examples of frost-resistant cannabis strains include Northern Lights, Hindu Kush, Bubble Kush, Durban Poison, and White Widow.

Site Selection

Choosing the best location for outdoor cannabis cultivation is highly significant. Consider a site that offers natural frost protection, such as low-lying areas, areas with good air circulation, hillsides, or a spot sheltered by buildings. These sites are less prone to frost accumulation and create a warmer microclimate.

Proper Irrigation

Proper irrigation is key to growing quality cannabis crops. However, it is also essential to irrigate correctly without overdoing it, which can negatively affect plants. Water cannabis plants before the expected frost to create a protective layer around the plant roots. Water releases latent heat when it freezes, which helps prevent frost damage. So, moist soil retains heat much better than dry soil.

What is the best way to irrigate cannabis plants? The drip irrigation system is considered the most effective method for growing indoor and outdoor cannabis. This water-efficient method delivers water directly to plants' roots through dripline and emitters.

Timing of Planting

Timing the cannabis planting and harvest schedule is essential in frost-prone areas. Start seeds early so plants have enough time to mature before the arrival of frost. You can start cannabis seeds indoors and transplant them outdoors after the last frost date in the spring, and harvest before the first fall frost. In areas with late spring frosts, you can delay the cultivation until the risk of frost has gone, as it will reduce the risk to young plants.

Use Frost-resistant Structures and Coverings

Use physical covers such as row covers, frost blankets, cloths, or tarps to protect your plants during frosty nights. These covers retain heat from the soil and create a protective barrier against frost. Remove these covers during the day for good air circulation and avoid excessive humidity.

Growers with large operations should invest in high runnel or greenhouses to provide a controlled environment for growing cannabis. These frost-resistant structures offer insulation, keep inside air warmer than outside, and allow growers to control humidity and temperature.

Mulching

Mulching is another insulation technique that retains soil heat and protects plants from rapid temperature fluctuations. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of your cannabis plants. A layer of mulch will protect the plant's roots and lower portions from frost damage. Moreover, you can use thermal mass materials such as rocks near plants to absorb and release heat.

Tips to Reduce Cannabis Quality Loss Due to Frost

It can be challenging to remove the frost's adverse effects on cannabis quality, but there are some ways to minimize the damage.

• Consider growing cannabis in a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or high tunnels, for a frost-free environment.
• Harvest cannabis before the start of severe frost to preserve CBD and THC content.
• Use the right drying and curing techniques to maintain the flavor and quality of harvested buds.
• Test harvested cannabis for cannabinoid content to ensure constant quality.
• Trim damaged parts of the plant to encourage new growth and prevent the spread of damage.
• Provide enough nutrients to the soil and adjust the feeding schedule to help plants recover.
• Choose cannabis strains that are resistant to harsh environmental factors such as frost.

The Bottom Line

Cannabis cultivation requires consideration of environmental factors such as the risk of frost. Frost can harm cannabis quality and yields by disrupting the balance of cannabinoids and damaging essential plant functions. Therefore, it becomes highly crucial to understand its effects and implement preventive measures to reduce the damage risk. Regular weather monitoring, choosing suitable strains, understanding frost patterns in your region, growing in greenhouses, and proper irrigation can provide you with a high-quality final product. Prevention is always a key to protecting your cannabis plants from frost damage.

As a cannabis grower, you should identify the early signs of damage, take quick action, and adopt methods to minimize the negative impact of frost on your cannabis crops.

Visit the DripWorks website to find excellent cannabis irrigation supplies for outdoor and greenhouse cannabis cultivation. From smart cannabis containers to fertilizers and drip irrigation components, we carry all the products you need to grow successful cannabis crops.