Science For Growers: What Is °Brix And How Does It Work For Cannabis?steemCreated with Sketch.

in cannabis •  7 years ago 

The °Brix degree is defined as the percentage by mass of pure sucrose in aqueous solution at 20°C, which means it's a measure of sugar concentration corresponding with sweetness. But when we deal with cannabis samples, the solution often contains other solids, thus a reading becomes an indication of total dissolved solids (TDS) such as minerals, salts and metals, but in rather low percentage.

Let's break it down

°Brix is measured with an instrument called refractometer, which is based on a refractive index, that has been staple of optics for two centuries, thus is scientifically sound.

In layman's terms it estimates how much light is bent when it passes through a dense material. And because different solutions bend light differently due to their specific gravity, we are able to track our specific refraction value, that is converted to °Brix automatically by a refractometer.

rfr_diagrm.png

Why bother though? What value does °Brix scale hold for cannabis growers?

It can actually provide quick and simple answers for very difficult questions, that otherwise can be only addressed by expensive lab analysis, which most of cannabis growers never utilise in their work.

As Graeme Sait writes on Nutri-Tech Solutions website:

Low brix levels are often linked to high nitrate levels in the plant. It is impossible to achieve nutrient density in the presence of excessive nitrate nitrogen. This form of N is only ever uptaken with water, so the higher the nitrate levels the greater the dilution factor.

A watery, mineral deficient plant is a calling card for insects and disease, so this could also be called a stress meter. In effect, your likelihood of anxiety is all locked within this ten second measurement.

The higher your brix levels, the greater your farming fun. High brix plants will have a higher specific gravity. They will weigh more and, if you are paid by weight, this is a good story.

In other words, measuring °Brix lets you understand how your plants are performing... if they skyrocket or they feel a little bit down! It shows if photosynthesis is optimal as it's always related to production of carbohydrates (sucrose, glucose and fructose), and if your plant has enough minerals running in its veins.

Particularly we're talking about calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium as these directly contribute to nutrient density (mineral, protein and vitamin content)... which makes for high quality produce!

As a rule of thumb growers should be looking to push their °Brix levels to at least 11-12, where #higbrix territory starts, and that means INSANE terpene/flavonoid content and superior production of cannabinoids.

How to Measure °Brix Of A Cannabis Leaf Step By Step

We put our refractometer on the table

brix1.jpg

We get our leaf, which we pluck FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE PLANT, a spoon and a piece of parchment paper

brix2.jpg

We mash a leaf it with a spoon

brix3.jpg

We squeeze the juice right onto the prism

brx_squeeze.jpg

And then we look through the eyepiece to get the reading

rfr_use.png

The reading should look like that (°Brix number we're looking for is at the shadow line)

brx_reading.JPG

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My grow is a great example of the lack of minerals. Which might explain the powered mildew i come across. I notice the healthy plants have next to zero PM but the sick ones is constantly being sprayed for that shit. Lesson learned, if using ro make sure you have the right supplements! Where would you get one of those refractors? are they expensive?

You're right about that, minerals are necessary. No, they are THE KEY!

Refractometer is around $30-40 a pop on Amazon. Get one, cause it's really worth it! It's like a compass for growing weed.

Im speechless!

I have to read this properly but interesting stuf. Never saw anything like that before. Super cool

Peace

You didn't, cause this is not exactly run of the mill kind of stuff. Only a small numbers of growers have taken the path leading to #highbrix, and you definitely need to know what you're doing... which is not that common, believe me :)

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You got a 1.14% upvote from @mercurybot courtesy of @conradino23!

WOW

Im gettin a reader tool thingy straight away. This is like.. well, yeh Science! at first I was lost but then I was found when the pictures popped up :) dude ur a legend!

And now we should all shout out to Doc Bud from 420mag :)

Thanks Conradino!

Glad you decided to use this account. Couldn't be easier than that :) Now we can preach #highbrix knowledge together!

Its amazing! More bud and more flavour = Fatter and Tastier joints!

Yes basically that's it. Clean flavour, no weird after taste, white ash, a lot of nuances in the smoke and heavier buds :)

First thing I get is a refractor thingy, then a volcano vape again!
Imagine the tastes in that badboy!

I sleep now :) that hash is still knockout strong mixed with standing in the heat! I feel moroccanized hahahahahaha

I still remember that hash I scored in Marrakesh. It was delicious and I haven't smoked for like 3 days before... and then I found out my 60yr old host was a fuckin stoner :D

Hahaha great host hahahah 🙆

For you folks who want Nutrient Dense, High Brix Cannabis......I've got an entire line of products designed to create the most fertile soils in the world in your yard or basement.

Doc Bud's High Brix Blend. www.docbudsbrix.com

As far as I know, I'm the first guy to test Brix in cannabis----or at least the first to make a big deal out of it. LOL.

Thanks Conradino!

Write a post about it. I can see a huge potential for your line of products here although most of the people still don't have a clue about it :)