Top Shelf vs. Middle Shelf
- Thread starter Budwiser
- Start date
Top should be cola or nugs from colas. Mid are the lower flowers.
Some dispensaries label it based on thc/cbd %.
Some dispensaries label it based on thc/cbd %.
little maggie
Well-Known Member
What is a cola? Just curious.
420engineer
Well-Known Member
the main [large] flower/bud on a plant
In my own experience, I've had little nugs that have been more potent than buds from the main colas.
In my own experience, I've had little nugs that have been more potent than buds from the main colas.
"A ‘phytochemical polymorphism’ seems operative in the plant (Franz and Novak, 2010), as production favours agents such as limonene and pinene in flowers that are repellent to insects (Nerio et al., 2010), while lower fan leaves express higher concentrations of bitter sesquiterpenoids that act as anti-feedants for grazing animals (Potter, 2009). Evolutionarily, terpenoids seem to occur in complex and variable mixtures with marked structural diversity to serve various ecological roles."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165946/
Popcorn buds are deer food... well, anti-deer food.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165946/
Popcorn buds are deer food... well, anti-deer food.
kellya86
Herb gardener...
@jojo monkey well said, if a little complex to some maybe...
@little maggie , a cola is just the top, main stem of our favourite plant...
A natural plant will only have 1 main cola, and be xmas tree shaped ish....
Us cultivators like to train and top the plant to achieve more colas, basicly turning the xmas tree upside down...
The cola is plants main flower, the plant will put as much nutrition into this part as it can, this is also the part that is most likely to catch male pollon (the whole point ), so different parts of the plant have different jobs/needs, so you end up with different results in regards to trichomes, terps and flavs.
Hope this helps,,,
@little maggie , a cola is just the top, main stem of our favourite plant...
A natural plant will only have 1 main cola, and be xmas tree shaped ish....
Us cultivators like to train and top the plant to achieve more colas, basicly turning the xmas tree upside down...
The cola is plants main flower, the plant will put as much nutrition into this part as it can, this is also the part that is most likely to catch male pollon (the whole point ), so different parts of the plant have different jobs/needs, so you end up with different results in regards to trichomes, terps and flavs.
Hope this helps,,,
MinnBobber
Well-Known Member
Back to top shelf vs mid-shelf.
Some dispensaries use this designation and others do not.
Top shelf tend to be strains with more potency, but not always.
Top shelf tend to be the "big name" / popular strains that they think are more popular/ hence command a higher price.
Mid shelf can be newer or more unknown or less popular strains.
It pays to shop around as every person is different and you might very well find a mid shelf (less pricey) strain that you like the taste and effects better than the top shelf
Some dispensaries use this designation and others do not.
Top shelf tend to be strains with more potency, but not always.
Top shelf tend to be the "big name" / popular strains that they think are more popular/ hence command a higher price.
Mid shelf can be newer or more unknown or less popular strains.
It pays to shop around as every person is different and you might very well find a mid shelf (less pricey) strain that you like the taste and effects better than the top shelf
Honeyconsumer
Member
@Budwiser
It truthfully depends on what terpenes you are searching for. For example,
Colabuds are normally in refrence to the "button" nugs that are on the tip of the plant, normally they are a bit higher as far as terpene & thc levels go. But it is strain specific. So essentially "top shelf" is the one you want... depending on who is calling their stuff "top shelf" & if it really is...
I have a very very good example to post as far as the thread goes....
"Top Shelf"- What LEGAL states get ahold of normally.
"Middle shelf"- What Non Legal states get.
It truthfully depends on what terpenes you are searching for. For example,
Colabuds are normally in refrence to the "button" nugs that are on the tip of the plant, normally they are a bit higher as far as terpene & thc levels go. But it is strain specific. So essentially "top shelf" is the one you want... depending on who is calling their stuff "top shelf" & if it really is...
I have a very very good example to post as far as the thread goes....
"Top Shelf"- What LEGAL states get ahold of normally.
"Middle shelf"- What Non Legal states get.
Budwiser
Member
@Budwiser
It truthfully depends on what terpenes you are searching for. For example,
Colabuds are normally in refrence to the "button" nugs that are on the tip of the plant, normally they are a bit higher as far as terpene & thc levels go. But it is strain specific. So essentially "top shelf" is the one you want... depending on who is calling their stuff "top shelf" & if it really is...
I have a very very good example to post as far as the thread goes....
"Top Shelf"- What LEGAL states get ahold of normally.
"Middle shelf"- What Non Legal states get.
I think you answered my question which the answer was "yes there are typically more terpenes, trichomes, thc, etc. on the cola part of the plant".
Thank you.
Wizsteve
Well-Known Member
Light plays a major factor here so yes most times , adding lights around the plant and adding uvb reptile lights will do wonders.
mikek9
Vapor Enthusiast
There are a variety of differences to top vs mid shelf bud as well as bottom shelf. I think most of the suggestions in this thread are a little misleading as the sole factor in what makes something top shelf or mid shelf is not to do with where it comes from on the plant like the cola vs mid and bottom branches. One thing I want you guys all to note is that plants finish form the bottom up, this is a very first thing to keep in mind, and assuming the bottoms and middle areas have sufficient lighting you will get equal quality nugs that are just as potent as near the top-and slightly more mature as they will have finished first. The top mainly just consists of the largest bud formation and this finishes last. Also, keep in mind the type of grow formats that exist like SOG for example where essentially only colas are harvested and etc. So in these environments you will always yield a consistent, hopefully top shelf quality bud. But here is the thing, if you don't properly flush the plants and dry and cure them properly then you wont end up with top shelf anything, cola or not.
So, First thing to note in terms of grades of weed are grow quality, maturity, how long was it flushed for when it was growing and how long it was cured for. Those are two very significant factors that can make a huge difference in the grade/quality of herb.
-Top shelf will always be grown perfectly to maturity and flushed for 2-3 weeks and cured for a few months, sometimes 6 months or more.
-Mid shelf is often grown to just before maturity, sometimes fully, flushed for 1-2 weeks and cured for a month or two if that.
-Bottom Shelf is often immature, poorly grown cannabis that was flushed for 1 week or less and was cured for 1-3 weeks.
Source: When I was a customer at a dispensary years ago and had a conversation with the owner as they had AAAA, AAA, AA, A, B, and C he explained that difference to me. Again, pointing out you can grow a fire looking plant with the most amazing cola and if you don't flush it or flush it quickly, it's going to be full of nutrients and taste and smell horrible. If you don't cure it, it won't smoke right and you won't get proper smelling or tasting cannabis as this is a crucial step for the final product.
Other things to keep in mind for quality of herb are genetics as this is crucial at they essentially determine the limits of the final product you can grow. However, as I state again, without proper growing conditions, maturation, flushing and curing you can take the strongest genetics and reduce them to rubble.
Flushing and Curing take time and time is money to growers that can turn around crops quickly. They can grow sup par medicine much quicker so they do, sell it as bottom or mid shelf based and call it a day.
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Take a peep at this video. The guy (remo) is a medical caregiver in Canada showing how they trim and dry their product for their patients. You can see clearly the difference between the buds on the colas which are getting all of the light (in my view, this is the top shelf bud), then the lower branches which dont get as much light are under developed. They still have medicine but not as much. This is the mids and a lot of caregivers turn that into edibles or hash because the patients are demanding tops only.
Personally, I would feel a bit ripped off if some dispensary or caregiver was passing off anything other than tops and calling it top shelf.
Personally, I would feel a bit ripped off if some dispensary or caregiver was passing off anything other than tops and calling it top shelf.
woolspinner
Well-Known Member
But isn't "perfect maturity" subjective as well? If you want more couch lock, wait longer. More head high? Harvest earlier, depending upon trichome color.
Your dispensary was being very thorough. One of the downsides to federal prohibition, among so many, is the inability to create universal regulation in terms and advertising. Like grades on eggs and milk, for example. It would be nice if there were a minimum universal measure so consumers knew what they were getting.
I think some dispensaries do just use top shelf for the popular strains when it should be top quality based on maturity, potency, proper humidity, texture, trim, flavor. I mean so many factors go into it. I, personally, do not know, even after watching the Leafly video, what top shelf SHOULD look like. However - I can say the Harborside dispensary in Portland might be doing it right because I bought a gram of top shelf Blueberry and it was gooood! It was some of the best I have had, so if I use that as a measure, most of my stuff is probably mid-shelf.
It seems like you have to be truly mindful when selecting. I actually turned down trying Granddaddy Purple (want to try!) Because the dispensary (not Harborside, fyi) bought poorly trimmed stuff. Lots of thick stems and even some fan leaves that were, likely, the ones growing tightly wedged in the cola. You still should try to dig that shit out - fan leaves typically have no sugar (trichomes) like sugar leaves and just harsh the burn. So...I was not about to pay good money for stems and leaves when living in a legal state with access to stuff like Harborside's Blueberry.
I would like to see some universal regulation on advertising, but it will probably take delisting to get there.
MinnBobber
Well-Known Member
........................................................................
There are really two definitions:
1. for private growers/ connoisseurs, mike9 definitions would be a reasonable guide.
2. for dispensaries--ANYTHING goes and they are all over the map. Some just bump all popular strains up to top shelf level. Some try to somewhat rank by perceived potency or perceived looks. It is truly buyer beware, to exam and try the goods to see if top shelf is really better and is it worth the extra $$
I do have a strong opinion on mike9's statement that (dispensary) top shelf is cured for a few months. From dispensaries, I would say that is 1: 100 dispensaries that actually do a proper cure. I knew a dispensary manager who had info on many shops and they were bragging that their top shelf was cured extra long---that being 10 days. Dispensaries SHOULD cure for months but I doubt I've ever had a dispensary bud that was. It's a shame as great bud deserves a great cure. They move it out ASAP, unfortunately
The good news in that once purchased, you can still make it right, cure yourself for months !!!!!!!
I would rather get buds with a lazy trim than pinecone looking machine trimmed buds. But most people do not want any leaf on their buds at all. You can just pull them off as you take apart your buds. They shouldn't weigh too much and should protect the buds as well.
My main concern with a shop is do they know their product, or are they hucksters? What does their material smell and feel like when you take it home? Most of the shops in my area will let you take a whiff at the very least. I follow my nose.
My main concern with a shop is do they know their product, or are they hucksters? What does their material smell and feel like when you take it home? Most of the shops in my area will let you take a whiff at the very least. I follow my nose.
ataxian
PALE BLUE DOT
COLAS are the tall main buds on a CANNABIS plant.
SUPER cropping creates more colas. The key is expose usable light during the flower cycle.
Most of the plants initial energy is centered on the cola.
The COLA is the best part of a harvest.
Flavor/Effect = you get what you pay for!
herbivore21
Well-Known Member
My man speaks the truth here! Top shelf, big nugs, maximum resin production is all I'm after.
Mids just means I have to work harder to extract less resin
seaofgreens
My Mind Is Free
Honestly... plenty of colas out there which would be considered mid to low grade. I've even grown some, both my fault in making mistakes and also where the plants genetics were just terrible, and the results also terrible.
Everyone has their little nuances of course, but I myself am looking at the individual calyx size/maturity. I tend to like medium/large calyx size (not overly large), and I really try to look for individual calyx that are firm, with minimal hollowing inside the cavity of the calyx. Then I look at the size of the trichomes. A top shelf nug will have larger,fatter trichome heads in my experience. There are of course exceptions, but this is generally what will have the most resins. After that, I'll observe the color and quantity of pistilates (hairs) I'm looking mostly to see that the visible pistils have that mature look to them (not straight/spiky looking). Then of course, the color of the bud, that the chlorophyll looks properly leeched, and a good cure has occurred.
After that, it's all the obvious stuff, like how it aesthetically looks, and how it smells and how sticky it is, density, etc.
Hope that helps someone.
Everyone has their little nuances of course, but I myself am looking at the individual calyx size/maturity. I tend to like medium/large calyx size (not overly large), and I really try to look for individual calyx that are firm, with minimal hollowing inside the cavity of the calyx. Then I look at the size of the trichomes. A top shelf nug will have larger,fatter trichome heads in my experience. There are of course exceptions, but this is generally what will have the most resins. After that, I'll observe the color and quantity of pistilates (hairs) I'm looking mostly to see that the visible pistils have that mature look to them (not straight/spiky looking). Then of course, the color of the bud, that the chlorophyll looks properly leeched, and a good cure has occurred.
After that, it's all the obvious stuff, like how it aesthetically looks, and how it smells and how sticky it is, density, etc.
Hope that helps someone.
ataxian
PALE BLUE DOT
1970 in HAWAII seedless colas were grown.
Maple leaf and Maui Wowie were crossed and unnamed.
5 acres is all we had however no effort was needed.
We were hippie surfers however we had enough sense to pull the males.
To make money from CANNABIS is dis-honest.
It's so easy to grow!
Don't make it rocket science?
Early Athens they put COLAS on hot coals near a spa!
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seaofgreens
My Mind Is Free
I didn't really get what you are talking about, but I do dig your style.
