Best practices when bucking dry flower
Moisture Content
The moisture content of your cannabis is critical to minimize flower damage. If it is too dry, flower may fall apart when bucked. If it is too wet, buds may compact degrading trichomes.
To achieve optimal results when bucking, the moisture content of flower should be between 12% and 14%.
Desired Dankness
For peak bucking performance, buds should be “springy” and return to their original shape when squeezed. Manual bucking can be done when the big stems are still pliable, but the smaller stems snap when bent.
When harnessing a CenturionPro GC or HP bucker, the smaller stems must be pliable as well. This ensures they fold and can be comprehensively stripped upon entering the bucking machine. If stems are brittle, they will simply break off and may not be properly cleared.
Machine Speed
When bucking dry flower decreasing the machine's speed often produces better results, which is why the variable speed control on CenturionPro's HP buckers is so beneficial. Reducing the motor tempo to half of its regular speed can ensure stems are totally stripped and mitigate bud damage.
Dry Bucking 101
Establishing the Environment
- Ensure adequate space
- Review electrical requirements
- Have adequate bins for product transport
- Cooler temperatures in processing room is beneficial
Preparing the Plant
- Cut main stalk
- Separate each individual stem, leaving no shoots attached
- Leave enough stem to provide machine clearance
- Ensure clean angled cuts for precise feeding
Feeding the Machine
- Supply stems bottom first into the bucker
- Feed the stem into the closest fitting hole
- Use the variable speed controller to adjust flow
- Keep stems flower side up where possible