THC percent and pH measurement

I have two *very* basic but unrelated q’s that I cannot resolve despite searching.

First, when I look at a dry bud and see labels claiming THC is 20% or so, it doesn’t make sense. I’ve always assumed the % refers to the weight of THC as a percentage of total dry bud. Covered in crystals or not, I can’t imagine that 1/5th of the bud’s weight is THC. So… is the stated percentage actually the % of THC relative to just the other cannaboids or something, and not the percent weight of everything?

Second q: when putting nutrients in water prior to a watering plus fertilizer session, how long should I wait before measuring pH and TDS? I’m often pressed for time so I typically shake the container after adding everything and make my measurements then. But, even with liquid or fine powder additives, it would seem that the chemical reactions and so on do not happen instantly. So, when’s the best time to measure … ten minutes, two hours, a full day?

pls be kind. I’m a newbie and have pneumonia.

It means that 20% of the weight of the dry bud is made up of THC. I agree that it seems bullshity most the time, I've heard rumor of buds being laced with THC Distillate to bump numbers up for profit. I've personally smoked some "25% THC" weed and it tasted like a distillate pen. Could just be I'm tasting the THC but who knows.

As for testing reservoir ph, once everything is blended you can measure. There is no need to wait beyond that. Just make sure everything is in solution and fully stirred before measuring.

I use Maxibloom and have used Jacks and other dry fertilizers, the time to measure the solution is once there is no obvious sediment or dry fertilizer in the reservoir.

For questions like this you might be better suited posting them in the newbie section especially if you get the hankering to say "Sorry I'm a newb please be nice". Just a tip, not a mandate.

The resin contains the thc. The majority of the weight is that resin, visible or not.
Frost doesnt necessarily = the highest potency
I believe the percentage is based on a burn test

Tedmarx38 said:

Second q: when putting nutrients in water prior to a watering plus fertilizer session, how long should I wait before measuring pH and TDS? I’m often pressed for time so I typically shake the container after adding everything and make my measurements then. But, even with liquid or fine powder additives, it would seem that the chemical reactions and so on do not happen instantly. So, when’s the best time to measure … ten minutes, two hours, a full day?

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I am right there with you. I add my nutes and mix well. Usually its less than a few min before i check my ph and ec.

I let my water rest 30 minutes or so after mixing/shaking. I read somewhere that shaking or vigorous stirring can increase ph temporarily. To avoid adding ph down if I don't need to I let it rest a little while.

ALPHA.GanjaGuy said:

I let my water rest 30 minutes or so after mixing/shaking. I read somewhere that shaking or vigorous stirring can increase ph temporarily. To avoid adding ph down if I don't need to I let it rest a little while.

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I did the exact opposite when I used bottled nutes.

I'd mix it shake it and water immediately.

The added oxygen from all the shaking seemed to make sense to me back then.

Now I use Dr Earth Dry ammendments and don't have to worry about being a mad scientist anymore.

Wizzlebiz said:

The added oxygen from all the shaking seemed to make sense to me back then.

Now I use Dr Earth Dry ammendments and don't have to worry about being a mad scientist anymore.

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The first has crossed my mind and the second is in my future..

Wizzlebiz said:

I did the exact opposite when I used bottled nutes.

I'd mix it shake it and water immediately.

The added oxygen from all the shaking seemed to make sense to me back then.

Now I use Dr Earth Dry ammendments and don't have to worry about being a mad scientist anymore.

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Do you ever miss being a mad scientist though? D:

calvin.m16 said:

Do you ever miss being a mad scientist though? D:

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With weed? Nope.

I do that with gold recovery from computer parts.

If I am going to be a mad scientist I will do it with strong acids.

Thanks all, appreciate the insights as always

When I mix nutes, I add the cal-mag, mix well, let it sit for about 15-20 minutes, then add the nutes, mix well, wait 15-20 minutes, then ph the mixture.

THC Percentage:
Most are lab tested, but who certifies / calibrates the lab?
20% weight-wise makes sense; resin will be much heavier than dessicated vegetable matter.
I've also seen companies fudge the numbers with "Active Cannabinoids" (on a 35% label) and "THCa" - which may be the more accurate way to state it?
A bit of an aside, but I've often wondered about THC as a stand-alone potency measure. We've had a few times where we picked up a relatively low-testing strain (10-15%) that knocked us DOWN - makes me think that terpenes and some other factors are in play more than we think.

PH - I have to confess that I've never checked mine - ever. My plants seem to like my tapwater / soil, so I never bothered!