What Does Bud Rot Look Like?

Depending on the life stage or particular species of mold/fungi, bud rot can look:

White and fluffy;

Dark gray or brown (sometimes even dark purple);

The buds can be full of dark speckled dust, which easily blows away (fungus spores).

When plants are afflicted by cannabis bud rot, it may start as fluffy white growth in the middle or sides of buds. This white mold quickly darkens into gray or brown and burrows deep into dense buds as the fungus takes hold. Sometimes you’ll see the initial stage on the sides of the buds, giving you a possible chance to catch the infection at an earlier stage.

 

What Causes Bud Rot?

Cannabis bud rot is caused by a type of fungus known as Botrytis cinerea. Sometimes you may get another type of fungus or mold that attacks the buds, but the cause, symptoms, and effects are usually similar.

 

In cannabis plants, Botrytis causes buds to rot out from the inside, hence the name “bud rot.” If you crack open an infected bud, the inside will be a moldy, dark gray or brown.

 

Bud rot is spread to plants by dusty, gray spores, typically carried by wind or water. If your plants are never exposed to these spores, they will never get bud rot.

 

Unfortunately, the spores can easily be carried to your plant by a breeze, rain, from contact with animals, or even by clones from another grow room. Indoors, they may be floating around the air. Dormant spores can survive in many conditions, only to affect your crops another time. It’s much more effective to try to prevent the conditions that allow bud rot to grow than to try to protect your buds from any contact with spores.

 

How to Control Bud Rot

Keep humidity under 50-55% RH

Controlling the humidity at an ideal range is the most important thing you can do to prevent bud rot from growing. It’s extremely rare to see Botrytis in dry conditions. Learn how to control the humidity. If you don’t fix the high humidity, the bud rot will likely keep spreading even after you’ve removed all the affected buds. High-quality plantation can be achieved in a controlled environment. Precisely controlling the humidity between 50-55% with professional cannabis dehumidifiers is helpful.

 

Good air movement

Ensure good air circulation and maintain a constant flow of air over all the buds and leaves. Make sure your plants are getting access to cool, fresh air. Outdoor planting always has good air circulation. However, most people choose to grow indoors. Use air movers and fans at the proper time.

 

Protect plants from heat or cold or big temperature swings

Controlling temperature and keeping the grow space from experiencing big temperature changes can go a long way. Aim for 75°F or 24°C when you’re worried about bud rot, and avoid letting plants get overly hot or cool.

 

Avoid letting buds get exposed to wetness

Don't allow buds to sit in damp or overly humid conditions for long. Protect your plants from rain and shake them if you notice they’re wet from rain or covered with dew.

 

Remove all affected buds immediately

Carefully remove and discard any buds that have possibly been affected by bud rot. Don't let any rot touch other parts of your plant. This helps prevent bud rot from spreading, but it's not enough if you don’t take care of the environment. Remember, the spores are always around, and it’s just a matter of whether they get the right conditions to grow.