Tis the season for murder—terp murder, that is.

Yes, terpenes—those aromatic molecules that make cannabis so special run an annual harvest gauntlet. More than half the terps the plant produces will never make it to the bag. Even more will be smoked without a proper cure.

Growers chop plants too early, they burn terpenes in the dry room, or they rot terpenes in containers that were sealed too soon. Also, sellers sell and consumers smoke flower before it’s fully cured and in its prime.

Leafly has tons of resources to get you through your first harvest season. But we also wanted to recap the basics with an expert. Watch the video above as Leafly Senior Editor David Downs—author of “Marijuana Harvest“—runs down the top tips to save those terps with Bay Area-based expert Post-Harvest Manager Danielle Boudreaux. Tips include:

• Chop plants when trichomes are ripe
• Hang-dry branches whole in a cool, blacked-out room with a fan gently circulating
• Keep the drying room at 60F, and the relative humidity at 55RH. Monitor remotely with WiFi sensors from Govee.
• Hang dry for 10 to 14 days until the thickest bud stems crack, but do not fully break. Don’t rush the dry.
• Remove branches from the line and finish drying in bins for at least a week until the terpene smell overtakes the water and plant smell
• Do not seal wet bud in jars—the water and lack of oxygen promotes rotting

If only it all went so smoothly. Watch the video for troubleshooting tips as well.

Here’s more articles to help you harvest, dry, and store buds

Which terpenes are responsible for the aromas in spicy strains?

Terpenes work synergetically with other cannabinoids, creating what is commonly referred to as the entourage effect. This unique collaboration plays a crucial role in shaping the overall sensory experience of cannabis strains and their effects. While a strain’s terpene profile can vary based on factors like genetics and cultivation practices, here are some terpenes commonly associated with spicy weed strains!

Caryophyllene

Caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene found naturally within various plants, most commonly black pepper, cloves and oregano. It is also one of the most prevalent terpenes in cannabis varieties. This compound carries a distinctive spicy and peppery aroma which directly contributes to the unique aroma and flavour profiles. 

Myrcene

Myrcene is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene found in various plant species, such as cannabis, hops, and even some fruits like mangoes. This terpene is known for its distinctive musky and earthy scent and is frequently responsible for the overall aroma and flavour of many different cannabis hybrids.

The top 7 strains high in caryophyllene

Now that we understand that specific terpenes contribute to a strain’s scent. Let’s take a look at seven weed strains that are high in caryophyllene!

1. Jack Herer

Jack Herer was created in the early 1990s by meticulously crossbreeding Haze with Northern Lights #5 and Shiva Skunk. It was named in honour of the cannabis activist and Ben Dronker’s close friend, Jack Herer. This weed strain has gained worldwide popularity within the cannabis community and was even the first hybrid to be prescribed by Dutch pharmacies. It has also won numerous cannabis cups, further solidifying its status as an outstanding hybrid.

This cultivar thrives in a Mediterranean climate and can produce some impressive yields with ideal growing conditions. Jack Herer has four phenotypes, three of which are sativas and one of which is an indica. This strain is particularly well-suited for producing concentrates because of its high resin production. Growers can use training techniques like SOG or SCROG to increase yields even further!

The terpene profile of Jack Herer is known for being extraordinarily spicy and contains abundant levels of the pepper-scented terpene, beta-caryophyllene. The aromatic notes are complex and intense, featuring a blend of sharp, savoury, and earthy flavours that escalate after the harvest. Jack Herer is known for its uplifting and cerebral effects when consumed, providing users with a soaring high accompanied by a slight body buzz.

2. White Diesel Haze

White Diesel Haze was meticulously crafted by crossing Haze and Ruderalis with NYC Diesel. It is a sativa-dominant hybrid with an exquisitely spicy profile and is an excellent choice for those seeking an energy boost throughout the day.

This particular weed strain stands out among other sativas due to its distinctive qualities. Its compact and stocky structure allows it to thrive even in colder climates, making it an ideal choice for growers in Northern Europe. Its autoflowering traits make it an easy-to-grow cultivar with a pungent terpene profile and frosty dense buds.

With high levels of beta-caryophyllene and myrcene, White Diesel Haze has a remarkable terpene profile featuring an unmistakable aroma of pungent diesel fuel, complemented by subtle undertones of tangy grapefruit, sweet pineapple, and refreshing citrus notes. This weed strain is ideal for daytime use, as it delivers an invigorating and uplifting high that enhances creativity and mental clarity.

3. White Widow

A prevalent cultivar in the Dutch coffeeshop scene since the early 1990s is White Widow. Our dedicated team of breeders carefully developed this revolutionary hybrid by crossing a Brazillian sativa with a South Indian indica. This weed strain has triumphed in numerous cannabis cups and remains a favourite among enthusiasts to this day.

As the name suggests, White Widow has dense, dark green, resinous buds covered with sticky white trichomes and deep orange pistils. Its dense structure, tight internodal spacing, and robust, resilient characteristics make it a popular choice for commercial growers.

White Widow has a distinctly peppery aroma, accompanied by subtle hints of tangy citrus that perfectly complement undertones of moist earth, sandalwood, and spicy charas. It offers a well-balanced blend of cerebral stimulation and physical relaxation, increasing creativity and mental clarity before transitioning into a calming body high. Its spicy flavour and uplifting effects make it an excellent choice for those seeking a well-rounded cannabis experience.

4. Chemdawg

According to popular belief, a cultivator from the United States named Chemdog acquired a top-quality ounce of cannabis at a Grateful Dead concert in 1991, containing a handful of seeds. After germinating them, he selected the finest phenotypes and shared them with fellow cannabis in the community. It has since been utilised to create unique hybrids with distinct terpene profiles and has become a representation of ingenuity and originality within the cannabis community.

The buds of Chemdawg tend to be dense and resinous, often covered in a thick blanket of trichomes. Densely packed calyxes help contribute to its high resin production. During flowering, Chemdawg exhibits a range of colours visible throughout the foliage and bud structure, including deep shades of purple and vibrant orange or red pistils.

Chemdawg has a highly distinctive aroma, renowned for its spicy profile that is high in beta-caryophyllene and myrcene with low concentrations of limonene. It has an exceptionally gassy flavour reminiscent of gasoline, with subtle hints of zesty citrus and fresh sandalwood that accompany pungent notes of hashish. According to many cannabis enthusiasts, it provides a stimulating and uplifting cerebral boost that transitions into a soothing body buzz.

5. Durban

The breeders at Sensi Seeds developed Durban by taking the best characteristics of the original landrace, Durban Poison, native to Durban in South Africa. It is considered one of the purest sativas in our collection and was bred to thrive in temperate climates.

Shorter than most sativas, Durban has a compact structure, tight internodal spacing, and elongated lateral branches that support dense bud formations. As it enters the flowering stage, the calyxes swell, and pistils change into vibrant deep red and pink hues. This short-flowering cultivar has impressive resistance to mould and can be grown outdoors in most climates. Its resilience and robust properties make it a standout option for novice growers.

Durban is known for its unique peppery aroma, featuring loud notes of tangy citrus, pungent aniseed, damp earth, and subtle undertones of coffee, sandalwood, and cacao. This weed strain is highly regarded among the cannabis community for its potent cerebral effects that boost creativity and mental clarity. Despite its powerful effects, Durban is also known for its incredibly calming and relaxing properties.

6. OG Kush

OG Kush was developed in California during the 1990s and has gained worldwide recognition as an indica-dominant powerhouse! There has been much discussion within the cannabis community about whether the “OG” in OG Kush stands for Ocean Grown or Original Gangster. However, given its origins in a coastal region with fertile soil, many tend to lean towards the former. Nevertheless, we would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

This powerhouse displays its indica characteristics through its short stature, abundant lateral branches, and thick foliage. The buds are large, compact, and covered in a sticky resin with a beautiful lime-green hue. For optimal growth, it is recommended to cultivate these plants indoors with lighting or in a Mediterranean climate.

OG Kush has a rather pungent and complex aroma profile, with noticeable levels of caryophyllene, limonene and myrcene. It emits a pungent odour reminiscent of diesel fuel among earthy and piney notes, with subtle hints of tangy citrus and skunk. 

Well-balanced high that induces a sense of uplifting euphoria and increases creativity before dissipating into a full-body high which relaxes the muscles. Its effects are well-balanced, starting with a joyful and creative high that eventually transitions into a full-body relaxation which relaxes the muscles. However, be warned: it can be pretty sedative in larger doses.

7. Silver Fire

Initially introduced as part of our Sensi Seeds Research project, it was added to our catalogue permanently in 2019. Silver Fire is an indica-dominant hybrid developed by interbreeding our award-winning Silver Haze with the ever-popular Fire OG.

This cultivar is known to flourish in a warm, Mediterranean climate. It has a classic sativa morphology with a tall, elegant structure, thick apical mainstem, elongated lateral branches, and sufficient internodal spacing. Those growing Silver Fire can anticipate clusters of dense, sizeable buds with extremely swollen calyxes coated in a sparkling blanket of trichomes.

The high concentration of myrcene and caryophyllene is responsible for its piquant allure. Silver Fire’s flavour profile includes a delightful combination of sweet and spicy scents with hints of mouth-watering citrus, fresh sandalwood and spicy hashish. Many connoisseurs have praised its balanced effects and reported feeling an uplifted, creative high that induces mental and physical relaxation.

The fascinating world of spicy weed

In conclusion, the world of cannabis provides a diverse range of experiences. These spicy weed strains provide unforgettable experiences due to the interplay between terpenes and cannabinoids. Spicy strains entice users with vibrant flavours and effects, but personal preferences can be crucial in choosing your favourite. In comparison, some enthusiasts might prefer the subtle pepperiness of Durban, and others might enjoy the citrus undertones of White Widow. What are your favourites?

Across North America, something called Hop Latent Viroid (HLV) is wreaking havoc. This virus-like infection can make plants sickly and destroy harvests. It’s highly contagious. Studies have estimated that perhaps 40% of cannabis flower sold legally in Canada carries HLV. As much as 90% of cannabis in California might be infected, costing billions of dollars in lost yields. 
What exactly is Hop Latent Viroid (HLV), how does it work, and what can growers do to protect their precious Cannabis plants?

Hop Latent Viroid: What are viroids & How are they different than viruses?

Viruses are tiny infectious agents. They can infect animals, plants, or single-celled organisms. They are much smaller than even a bacteria cell, consisting of a small piece of genetic material (DNA or RNA) protected by a protein shell. These protective shells help preserve the genetic material of the virus and contain various proteins enabling them to infect specific host cells. 

Viroids are similar to viruses, but different in key ways. Viroids do not have a protective protein shell. Instead, they are small circular strands of RNA. They seem to specialize in infecting flowering plants. In other words, they are tiny, “naked” pieces of genetic material that infect certain plant species, causing disease. When they infect valuable crops grown by humans, such as Cannabis, this can have a devastating economic impact. 

The “goal” of viruses and viroids is the same: replication. They cannot reproduce on their own. They must come into direct contact with the right host cell, smuggle their genetic material inside, and hijack the cell’s replication machinery. Eventually, the host cell fills up with viral particles and bursts open. When you get sick with a viral infection–such as COVID or the common cold–it’s because your immune system is responding to a large number of these viral particles circulating throughout the body.

Hop latent viroid: What does it do to cannabis plants?

Hop Latent Viroid is a viroid that infects hop plants, which are used to brew beer. Cannabis is a relative of hops. In recent years, HLV jumped from hops to Cannabis. Infected plants show various defects, ranging from stunted growth and reduced foliage to uneven trichome coverage and decreased cannabinoid production–symptoms of what’s been called “duds disease.” This is a huge problem for cannabis growers, whose livelihoods depend on reliably growing healthy, cannabinoid-rich plants with bountiful harvests.

Cannabis plants infected with HLV show obvious outward defects: smaller overall sizes, reduced root development, and discoloration. Here are some pictures. They have smaller flowers (the part of the plant meant for human consumption), and can produce up to 50% fewer cannabinoids, like THC.

How does hop latent viroid (HLV) spread in cannabis

Similar to viruses, viroids like HLV need to come into direct contact with their hosts to infect them. Cannabis plants can catch HLV when they come into physical contact with infected plants. Although HLV doesn’t infect humans, we can spread it between plants through contact with body surfaces, tools, or equipment. Contaminated water supplies are also a major source of infection, as HLV tends to concentrate in the roots. 

All of these potential points of infection enable the rapid spread of HLV, as Cannabis plants are often grown in high density, require human contact at multiple points of the production process, and can be connected to common water supplies (e.g. in hydroponic systems).

Hop latent viroid can also spread from mother plants to offspring, both through clones generated by taking cuttings and through seeds. All offspring can potentially carry HLV if their parent is infected. This makes it essential to identify infected plants, even if there are no obvious outward signs of infection or you’re working with tissue culture systems with physically isolated samples.

Because HLV is so contagious, it has already spread widely and caused mass losses for Cannabis growers. It is likely to continue spreading. Growers must be prepared.

How can growers protect against hop latent viroid (HLV)?

Whether or not growers are already battling HLV, they need to have processes in place to test and remove infected plants. It is obviously important to learn how to visually identify potentially infected plants, but it’s always possible to miss subtle signs.

As far as I can tell, the only reliable way to be sure whether plants are infected is to conduct genetic testing, similar to what would be done to detect something like COVID infection in yourself. A sample must be taken from a potentially infected individual and subjected to a laboratory test capable of detecting the presence of genetic material from a particular pathogen. 

For Cannabis growers, this means either developing in-house capabilities and purchasing test kits, or sending samples out for testing elsewhere. Any plants known or suspected to be infected with HLV need to be immediately removed to prevent the spread of infection. Plants in close proximity, even if they show no signs of infection, should be quarantined or monitored closely.

Dr. Zamir Punja’s research team has conducted studies looking at how well HLV infections can be managed using a test-and-remove approach. They were able to reduce the percentage of infected plants from 35% to 7% over a period of seven months. In other words, handling a HLV outbreak is likely to be costly in terms of time, labor, and money. For commercial Cannabis growers, it is advisable to have a robust detection process in place, before isolated infections turn into full-blown outbreaks. Being diligent could mean the difference from a few infected plants vs. the loss of an entire harvest. 

Other preventative measures should also be taken. HLV is surprisingly stable on surfaces, with the ability to survive for days or even weeks on equipment or plant material. This viroid is also apparently capable of withstanding high heat, UV radiation, and disinfectants to some extent. For these reasons, growers need to be proactive and conscientious about hygiene. Are tools and equipment being fully sterilized between uses? Are supplies and staff traveling between rooms with different plants? How often are disposable items being reused and thrown out?

Any large-scale growers with high-density grow operations should be prepared, especially if their plants share common water supplies, nutrient sources, and soil. Given the rapid spread of HLV, Cannabis cultivators everywhere should be prepared. As I’m sure we all know by now, viral outbreaks are difficult to manage and can be highly disruptive. Growing Cannabis is hard. It’s a science and an art form. In an already competitive market with slim profit margins and the inability to deduct normal business expenses due to the schedule I legal status of marijuana, every harvest counts.

Be prepared.