Like most strategies in the industry, the merits of wet and dry trim are the subject of endless contentious debates. Here’s a breakdown of both time-tested methods:
WET TRIM
The procedure: Cut branches and immediately deliver to trimmers, who use scissors to remove buds, which are either trimmed by hand or run through a machine. Use screens to dry trimmed buds, flipping occasionally to avoid flattening one side of the flower.
Drawbacks: Hands or gloves tend to get extremely sticky. Buds are sometimes misshapen from screen drying. Detractors claim that wet-trimmed weed loses something of its nose.
Benefits: Wet-trimming cuts down on time spent hanging and un-hanging branches, and is faster, easier, and more efficient than dry-trimming. The process is unlikely to cause respiratory problems.
DRY TRIM
The procedure: Hang branches immediately. When dry, remove from lines and deliver to trimmers. Workers use scissors to remove dry buds, which are either manicured by hand or run through a machine.
Drawbacks: Dry-trimming is extremely tedious. Tiny particles of dry cannabis float in the air, coating hair and clothing. The process is inefficient because of time spent hanging branches to dry and removing branches from lines.
Benefits: Dry-trimming by hand is generally considered the best practice for top-quality plants and is the only way to ensure total control over the finished flower.