Hydrolife Magazine June/July 2016 (CAN Edition)

grow
STRIVING TO SURVIVE:
Essential Oils,
Glandular Trichomes
by Kyle L. Ladenburger
& the Secondary Metabolism
Have you ever wondered how and why cannabis and other plants
produce those amazing compounds that essential oils are derived
from? It all has to do with glandular trichomes—tiny, specialized,
hair-like formations found on plant stems and leaves.
Essential oils extracted from cannabis, as well as from herbs like mint
and thyme, and from countless other plants, are key ingredients in
products such as medicines, fragrances and flavourings. Demand
for these products has been the driving force behind countless
research studies conducted with the goal of understanding how
and why plants produce these chemical compounds, and how
growers can enhance their production. The research begins
with the glandular trichomes.
Glandular Trichomes
Glandular trichomes are tiny, specialized, hair-like
formations found on the epidermis of plant stems and
leaves. They are the evolutionary by-products of plants
striving to survive in tough environment. Though humans
use them for their beneficial medicinal properties, we
also enjoy their delicious flavours and amazing aromas.
At the tip of the hairs are glandular cells that produce,
store and eventually secrete exudates such as resins
and oils. Nearly all plant species produce some sort
of hair-like formation, but only about 30% of vascular
plants have the ability to create these sought-after
substances. Glandular trichomes come in several
different shapes that are highly species-specific, to the
point where they are often a characteristic used in the
classification and identification of a plant species.
In cannabis plants, the glandular trichomes produced on
the older fan leaves or stems are smaller and cling tight to
the leave. As the plant develops, the glandular trichomes
on the vegetation surrounding the flowers begin to grow
longer and give the bud a crystalized or powdered look.
This is when the glandular trichomes are at peak production
of exudates like THC and CBD. Other types of glandular
trichome exudates include terpenoids, phenylpropenes,
flavonoids and methyl ketones. Variations in the levels and
types of these are what give different individual strains of
cannabis their unique tastes, aromas and potencies.
photo by Ryan Bushby
24
grow. heal. live. enjoy.
myhydrolife.ca