What is bud rot?

In the field of industrial cannabis, "bud rot" is the common name of Botrytis, which affects cannabis flower buds.

The essence of cannabis shoot rot disease can be simply understood as the growth of a specific fungus or mold in cannabis shoots. Growers will notice that mold begins to grow in the densest bud core. The initial infection point is located on the stem inside the bud. Cannabis leaf rot disease is extremely difficult to detect in the early stages. Once decay begins to spread, the surrounding buds will be decomposed by mold.

Whether grown indoors or outdoors, mold can have an impact on plants. The spores it produces are easily spread in different areas, such as planting rooms and fields. The initial obvious symptom is the appearance of a thin layer of white mold. Subsequently, the rotten part will turn gray and then black. At this point, the flower buds will become sticky.

If bud rot disease occurs early, you can take measures to prevent further damage. If handled properly, your plant will recover and continue to grow normally. Once the fungal infection becomes too severe, you may have no harvest. If you notice mold growth, you must take immediate action.

 

What causes Botrytis?

Cannabis varieties with weaker immune systems are more susceptible to fungal infections. The most common pathogens of this fungus include:

high humidity

The HVAC system in the planting room is incomplete.

Mild temperature

Dense vegetation

Plants with larger flower buds

The cause of bud decay is very simple. In most cases, dense plants and large flower buds trap water, leading to excessive moisture. Marijuana bud decay is more common for outdoor growers because the outdoor planting environment is difficult to control. If the humidity, ventilation, lighting, and temperature control in the indoor planting room are not appropriate, it can also cause flower buds to rot.

Obviously, open-air crops cannot control morning dew or rainfall. This means that plants may be in a saturated state day and night. Open-air growers, especially those in coastal areas, need to understand the best methods for preventing shoot rot disease. Due to the difficulty in controlling humidity, bud rot disease is a major issue. Plants with dense vegetation and larger flower buds are more susceptible to impacts due to insufficient air circulation around them.

 

What does Botrytis look like?

The symptoms of mold include:

The stem is in a paste like gray brown color

Leaves turn yellow, wither, and burn.

Visible signs of mold

White fuzzy fungi grow on flower buds

Spots appear on the leaves

The leaves are brown, dry, or curled.

Leaf deformities or abnormal growth

Grey brown sepals

The color of the leaves darkens or turns purple

black dot

Rotting brown flower buds

 

How to prevent indoor bud rot?

Using  triple effect crop control

There is more than one method for indoor prevention and control of shoot rot disease. Firstly, use triple effect crop control every 72 hours at a dilution ratio of 2 ounces per gallon of water until the disease is under control. Afterwards, it will be used once a week with a dilution ratio of 1 ounce of preventive medication per gallon of water.

Control humidity

Due to excessive moisture causing mold growth, watering frequency should be strictly controlled to avoid excessive moisture. If the temperature in the planting room is too low, mold can also grow because the low-temperature environment is very suitable for mold growth. The humidity in the planting room must be kept at a low level. The most efficient way to control indoor humidity is to use professional greenhouse dehumidifiers. Preair provides quality ceiling dehumidifiers for grow room. Welcome to your consultation.

Control temperature

The ideal temperature for cannabis plants in the planting room is 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature is the most critical factor when plants enter the flowering period. If the temperature is too high, mold is also prone to grow because it thrives in humid and warm environments. If the humidity is high, the risk of mold growth increases for every degree above the recommended set temperature.

Plant density

During flowering, the temperature should be maintained at around 75-77 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not place plants too densely to avoid affecting air circulation. This can lead to water accumulation, which in turn can cause mold problems. If any signs of decay appear, all infected plants should be immediately removed from the planting room.

Timely clean moldy plants

In order to give plants a chance to recover, all moldy areas must be cleared. All removed plants should be stored separately to prevent the spread of infection. Growers suggest placing it in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place. Do not allow any infected plants to come into contact with healthy plants.

Overall, the best way to prevent indoor blast disease includes eliminating the following issues:

Application of triple effect crop control

Excessive watering leads to excessive water content

The temperature is too low

high humidity

It's too hot.

The plants are planted too densely