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While cultivating cannabis may seem simpler than expected, achieving the ideal harvest can be challenging. Even a well-nurtured plant can be ruined if harvested at an improper time. While cultivating cannabis may seem simpler than expected, achieving the ideal harvest can be challenging. Even a well-nurtured plant can be ruined if harvested at an improper time.
To ensure that you are not wasting the potential of your cannabis garden due to a wrong timed harvest, it is important to carefully follow the schedule and process discussed in this article.
Harvesting cannabis plants can be done at any point between 8 to 12 weeks after the flowering process begins, and in some cases, it may take even longer.
The simplest method to determine if your cannabis is ready for harvesting is to examine the pistils on the plant, although this is not 100% accurate.
The white hairs (pistils) on the buds will initially be white and rigid, but as time passes, they will darken and become curly. When it is time to harvest your plant, most of the hairs (pistils) will be turned into a reddish color. During the vegetative stage of the plant, pistils will not be visible, but they will begin to form once the plant enters its flowering phase. It is a very easy method to follow, and it effectively avoids any significant errors in selecting the right time for harvesting. With practice, you will determine the level of ripeness of your plant.
It is still possible to determine the optimal harvesting time with greater accuracy. An even more reliable measure of plant maturity compared to the pistils can be identified in the trichomes located on the buds.
You need a magnifying glass to see the trichomes clearly
Having a microscope is the optimal choice. A digital USB microscope is an excellent and budget-friendly choice that allows for photo and video capture. This tool enables the identification of trichome changes and helps determine the optimal harvest time.
When observed under a microscope, trichomes will look like trees with a mushroom shape. These small and adorable trees contain cannabinoids, and their potency increases as the plant grows. By examining these trichomes, we can judge whether the THC in the plant has reached its maximum potential.
Just like the pistils, the trichomes also will have a color transformation. The small spheres at the tip of the stem shift from being translucent to cloudy, and eventually to amber. Once they reach this amber hue, they have achieved their maximum level of potency.
A plant that is not fully grown will result in a shorter and clearer sensation with a grassier flavor. In contrast, a mature flower will provide a much stronger and intense high.
Not all trichomes ripen at the same time, so it is important to wait until about 60% to 80% of the trichomes are cloudy before harvesting. Once the trichomes begin to turn amber, the resulting harvest will have a greater concentration of CBN, resulting in a more calming high.
To enhance the taste and quality of your bud, it is recommended to flush your plants with plain water one week before harvest if you are growing them in soil. Flushing means watering your plants with twice or tripple the usual amount of water, which helps remove any excess nutrients from the soil. This can be achieved by using regular pH balanced water instead of nutrient-rich solutions.
Nutrient absorption by plants from the soil takes time. By flushing the soil, the plant’s ability to take more nutrients is stopped. Any excess nutrients that have not been metabolized can negatively impact the flavor. To avoid this, it is recommended to flush the plant, and get rid of nutrients for a week before harvest.
To prevent any harm to the harvest, it is important to avoid excessive flushing. It is possible that over-flushing can lead to discoloration of the buds due to nutrient deficiency.
Once the harvesting process is complete, it is important to begin the drying and curing process for your buds as soon as possible. It is recommended to maintain a temperature below 21C, and a relative humidity level of 40% to 50%. By keeping the dry temperature low, the terpenes, which are the plant’s essential oils, can be preserved from evaporating. Additionally, maintaining a low humidity level will help extract excess moisture and prevent the growth of mold.
Improper drying may result in your marijuana having a hay-like smell and aroma.
It is advisable to use a dehumidifier and an Air Conditioner in your dry room. Instead, it is also recommended to leave the harvest untouched for four days while it dries, and then examine the buds. Once the branches snap instead of bending, the plant can be transferred to jars for curing.
During the curing process, it is possible to utilize cost-effective two-way humidity packs in order to maintain the desired level of humidity within your jars. These packs are also effective in preserving the freshness of your cannabis for an extended period of time.
During the process of drying, it is recommended to avoid disturbing the plants and keep them in complete darkness throughout.
Glass jars are currently being used to cure dried buds.
It is necessary to “burp” these jars at least once daily by opening the lid and releasing any trapped gases.
Although being meticulous can seem like a burden, mastering the right techniques does not require much time. By doing this, you can guarantee that your harvested buds will be of the utmost quality.
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