1. Try the Matchbox Trick to Germinate Seeds
I found this trick in Jorge Cervantes’ book, Marijuana Horticulture. Try this technique to increase your chances of germinating cannabis seeds.
First, empty a box of matches, and remove the rough striking surface. Next, place the striking strip and your seeds inside the box and shake. This trick will remove some of the seeds’ hard outer layer, allowing water to penetrate and encouraging them to sprout.
2. Use Pantyhose for Straining Infusions
Did you know that you can use nylon stockings to strain buds for edibles? The material is finer and more durable than cheesecloth, and it can be reused again and again. I was reminded of this tip when I reread Beyond Buds by Ed Rosenthal.
I wish it had dawned on me before I ran all over southern Oaxaca looking for manta de cielo (cheesecloth). When I finally located the material, I was told that cheesecloth was mostly used to make diapers here. I guess the local cheesemakers already know about the pantyhose.
3. Line Your Growspace with Aluminum Foil
Just checking to see if you’re paying attention. Never try to substitute aluminum foil for mylar in your grow room. The texture of aluminum foil creates hotspots that can damage your plants.
Also, don’t smoke through aluminum foil. It releases carcinogenic substances.
4. Eat a Mango to Improve Your High
This trick is debatable, but many people still swear by it. The idea is to deepen your cannabis buzz by eating a mango first. Mangos contain high levels of the terpene, myrcene, which enhances the couch-lock effect.
5. Use Lemon Juice to Remove Stains from Your Bong
Most stoners know they can clean a glass bong with rubbing alcohol and salt. If not, you can count that one as Tip # 5.5.
However, many people don’t know how to remove tough resin stains without a commercial bong cleaner. Just squeeze the juice of a few lemons into your bong, and add warm water. Swish the liquid around gently until the entire inside of the bong is covered. For tough stains, leave the solution in the bong overnight. Rinse your bong thoroughly, and let it air dry when the glass looks clean.
6. Reuse Already Vaped Bud
There are still plenty of cannabinoids leftover in buds that have been vaped in a dry-herb vaporizer. You can use them to make cannatea or for edibles. Already-vaped bud has a toasted taste, which you can remove through a process called water-curing. Jamie Toth does an excellent job of describing the method in her blog, Cannabis Explorations.
7. You Can Never Have Too Many Mason Jars
Mason jars make some of the best containers for curing weed or storing infused butter and oils for cooking. Wrap the jar in black paper or store it in a dark velvet bag to prevent light exposure from ruining your buds and infusions.
8. A Paper Clip or Safety Pin is Good to Have on Hand
Whether you need to unclog a glass pipe or make an impromptu stand for hash-under-glass, a paper clip comes in handy. Paper clips and bobby pins also make excellent roach clips. You can even use a paper clip or pin to unblock a clogged vape cartridge. Put one in your wallet now!
9. Best Substitutes for Rolling Papers
So, you’re determined to smoke a fatty, but you’re all out of ZigZags. Try some of these substitutes:
- Banana leaves
- Corn husks
- Gum wrappers
- The Yellow Pages (If hard copies still exist.)
- Pages from those little paperback books you find in motel drawers. (But you didn’t hear that from me!)
10. Use Urine to Fertilize Your Cannabis Plants
The rumors are true. Human urine is high in nitrogen, which is fabulous for cannabis. But don’t pee directly on your plants like the boys suggested in that famous Cheech and Chong skit. You’ll need to dilute the urine with water to avoid nutrient burn. You also shouldn’t use this technique if you’ll be sharing your harvest. Ew.
11. Clean Sticky Tools with Rubbing Alcohol
Most rookies find out soon enough that water doesn’t work that well for cleaning resin-caked cannabis tools. However, 99% isopropyl alcohol works like a charm. Another option is to clean them with cooking oil since cannabinoid resin is fat-soluble.
12. Repair a Broken Branch with Duct Tape
If you’ve ever been training one of your plants and broken it, I feel your pain. Luckily, all is not lost, and you can bandage your plant with the help of some duct tape.
You simply wrap the tape securely around the broken or bent stem and allow it to heal for 2–4 weeks. Check the area every few days, and remove the tape when it seems intact. Yep. Duct tape works for everything.
13. The Rubber Band Lighter Trick
Secure your lighter with a thick rubber band to make sure your flame doesn’t go out mid-toke. It’s also handy for keeping your thumb from getting burned during those long drags. Of course, another option would be to invest in a high-quality adjustable lighter or torch.
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Written by Cat Winske
Photo by Terre di Cannabis on Unsplash