Under certain conditions, even the best-preserved flowers can show unexpected signs of decay. Sometimes, what starts as a small change in the color or texture of the buttons turns out to reveal a deeper problem. What factors cause a CBD flower to turn brown? What can it mean?
The brown, dry appearance that sometimes appears is not a simple aesthetic issue. In this article, we explore how the environment, harvesting processes, and certain diseases affect bud health, and what measures growers use to help preserve their optimal state.
Why do some buds turn brown and dry?
The transformation of fresh, compact buds into brown, brittle structures can be a cause for concern, considering that in hemp, visual and structural quality is a key indicator of good conservation. Although certain varieties are naturally darker in color, the unwanted change to a dull brown hue, accompanied by stiffness or brittleness, is often associated with problems. Understanding which processes are involved in this degradation is the first step to keeping flowers healthy and preserving their characteristics.
Environmental Factors: Humidity, Temperature and Ventilation
In any growing space, environmental conditions act as fundamental pillars that support the vitality of flowers. When humidity levels are high and ventilation is poor, the environment becomes conducive to fungal growth. On the contrary, very dry environments cause the buds to dehydrate quickly, losing their elasticity and becoming fragile.
Temperature also has a significant influence. Excessive heat accelerates the loss of water and volatile compounds that contribute to the natural consistency of flowers. On the other hand, cold temperatures during flowering can slow down the overall development of the plant. Together, these factors are the key that will determine the appearance, texture, structure, and overall quality of the buds.
Common mistakes in drying and cutting
Once the harvest is finished, the next challenge is drying, a delicate process that directly influences the appearance and preservation of the flowers. If done in improper conditions, with excessive ventilation or high heat, buds can dry unevenly. This generates a hard surface while the interior retains moisture, which favors the appearance of mold as the days go by.
Cutting, i.e. the removal of small leaves around the flowers, also has important implications. If done superficially, plant debris may remain that retain moisture or make it difficult to cure evenly. At the other extreme, excessive cutting can leave the buds too exposed, facilitating premature dehydration. The key is to find a balance that ensures good presentation and proper storage.
Diseases and pests that affect appearance
The health of flowers can also be affected by biological factors, such as fungi and insects, which alter their color, texture, and structure. Early identification of these threats makes it possible to take effective action before irreversible damage occurs.
Botrytis: Grey mould on the buds
Botrytis, also known as grey mould, often affects buds during the final stage of cultivation, especially when humidity and ventilation conditions are not well controlled. This fungus can develop silently, with no visible signs, until flowering progresses and the microclimate inside the bud becomes warmer and more humid.
According to a recent study carried out in greenhouses, the most critical moments for its appearance coincide with advanced flowering stages. During this period, the humidity and temperature inside the buds exceed those in the environment, creating the perfect environment for the disease to become active (Buirs et al., 2025).
The constant movement of the air and the choice of less dense varieties for the months or wetter spaces are key factors that help to reduce its impact.
Other fungal infections: powdery mildew and Fusarium
In addition to gray rot, there are other fungi that directly affect the quality of the buds. Powdery mildew usually manifests as a white, powdery coating on leaves and flowers. Although it may seem harmless at first, this layer blocks the process of photosynthesis, gradually weakening the plant and affecting the overall health of the flowers.
Fusarium, on the other hand, acts more invisibly. It attacks the roots and stems, causing a kind of progressive wilting. Often, affected plants appear to drooping for no apparent reason until the root system is checked. This infection is also linked to conditions of excessive humidity and poorly aerated substrates. Preventing their appearance involves paying attention to drainage and maintaining controlled conditions at the base of the crop.
Common pests: mites and thrips
Small insects can also cause buds that appear dry, damaged, or discolored. Among the most common are mites and thrips, which feed on plant sap, leaving small spots, discolorations or fine cobwebs on leaves and flowers.
When these pests attack the buds, they not only alter their appearance, but also weaken the overall structure of the flower, making it more susceptible to dehydration. Some natural methods of control include introducing beneficial insects, using potassium soap, and regularly cleaning the environment. Maintaining a clean and well-managed environment often makes all the difference in preventing this type of damage.
Prevention strategies to maintain quality
Throughout the entire process, from the vegetative stage to harvest, maintaining stable conditions is essential to preserve the integrity of the flowers. During the warmer months, especially in summer and early fall, plants can become more susceptible to deterioration, particularly those varieties with very dense or closed flowers.
Avoiding extreme levels of humidity, strengthening ventilation in the growing space and opting for less compact genetics are decisions that can make a big difference in this critical period. The mid-flowering stages have also been observed to represent a window of increased risk, so it’s helpful to implement preventative measures before the plant reaches that point.
The use of fans or exhaust systems helps maintain a steady flow of air, which prevents the formation of humid microclimates where pathogens can thrive. Likewise, avoiding waterlogging when watering and opting for substrates with good drainage improves the overall condition of the roots and, by extension, the entire plant.
In addition, regular monitoring helps to detect possible imbalances in a timely manner. Through this preventive vigilance, small problems are prevented from becoming situations that are difficult to reverse, ensuring buds with a good appearance, firm texture and healthy color.
Optimal Drying, Curing and Conservation
The post-harvest phase is decisive in preserving the quality of the flowers. Drying slowly, in a dark environment and at a moderate temperature, allows moisture to be released evenly. The duration of this process can vary depending on the density of the buds and the conditions of the environment.
Curing, which takes place in hermetically sealed bottles, helps stabilize the internal moisture level and improves texture, aroma, and final appearance. During the first few weeks, periodically opening the bottles allows excess moisture to be released. This practice, known as “airing”, prevents the formation of mold inside. For long-term preservation, moisture-regulating sachets are effective allies, as they help maintain the necessary balance and prevent both drying out and the appearance of fungi.
What to do in case of signs of fungal deterioration
Detecting fungus in buds requires immediate action. Affected areas should be carefully removed and eliminated outside of the growing environment. Next, it is essential to check the drying space, improve ventilation, and ensure that the ambient humidity is under control.
To avoid recurrences in future harvests, it is recommended to reinforce preventive measures: application of natural fungicides, such as horsetail extract, reduction of irrigation in sensitive stages and periodic control of environmental conditions. These practices, when applied systematically, help to keep the flowers free of infections, preserving both their appearance and their internal structure.
Conclusion
The appearance of dried brown buds often reflects a chain of factors that together affect the final result of a harvest. From an unsuitable environment to drying errors or the incidence of disease, each step influences the appearance, texture, and quality of flowers. Understanding these causes and applying preventive strategies allows you to protect the work invested in the crop.
In the specific case of CBD flowers, preserving their shape, color, and structure is essential to preserve their most valuable compounds. If you prefer to receive flowers that are already cured, well preserved and ready to enjoy their best state, at Maionais you can find CBD grown and cared for with care, selected to offer the best of the hemp world at the best price.
References
Cheung, N., Tian, L., Liu, X., & Li, X. (2020). The destructive fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea-Insights from genes studied with mutant analysis. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 9(11), 923. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9110923
Buirs, L., Lung, S., & Punja, Z. K. (2025). The epidemiology and management of Botrytis cinerea causing bud rot in greenhouse-grown cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.). Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/07060661.2025.2478250
