Rx Green Technologies Study Finds ‘Flushing’ Cannabis May Impact Taste, Smoke
Rx Green Technologies, has completed a research trial and taste test with cannabis, focused on the practice of “flushing.” Flushing is the tactic of feeding cannabis plants with only water for several days directly prior to harvest. Several reputable industry sources state that when cannabis is flushed properly, plants rid themselves of “excess” minerals. Cannabis cultivators have traditionally argued that the practice of flushing cannabis improves the quality and flavor of the inhalation experience.
Scientists at Rx Green Technologies looked at the scant research available about this subject and found themselves skeptical.
“The thought process surrounding flushing doesn’t fit within our understanding of soil science and nutrient dynamics,” said Stephanie Wedryk, director of research and development. “By applying plain water to a growth medium, the water will flush any stored nutrients from the medium in the soil solution. The plant will then end up taking in these nutrients or some will be lost to runoff. Once a nutrient gets into a plant, it stays there. It can’t be removed by applying water.”
Rx Green Technologies tasked a Colorado cannabis cultivator to apply a water-only flush to one variety of cannabis four different ways: 14 days, 10 days, 7 days, and not at all. The cannabis was lab tested for terpenes, THC, and mineral content. At a private event, cannabis industry professionals tried and rated each sample of cannabis across a variety of markers.
Wedryk and her team discovered that there were no significant differences in terpenes, THC, and mineral content in the different cannabis samples. Most surprisingly, the cannabis taste testers statistically preferred the cannabis that was not flushed. These novel results suggest that the practice of flushing cannabis could negatively impact cannabis harvests.
Read the trial report here: www.rxgreentechnologies.com/rxgt_trials/flushing-trial
Read the blog about the taste test event: www.rxgreentechnologies.com/blogs/flush-trial-event
