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It’s finally time to harvest your cannabis plant! Learn how to do it right with this step-by-step guide, complete with photos.
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Introduction
This guide covers the entire process of harvesting a cannabis plant, from start to finish. It covers things like when to harvest, how to harvest, drying and curing your buds, and more. By the time you’re done reading this guide, you’ll know everything you need to know about harvesting your own cannabis plants.
Harvesting your cannabis plants is one of the most important steps in the growing process. If you don’t do it right, your buds will be sub-par at best. But if you do it right, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best weed you’ve ever smoked. So it’s definitely worth taking the time to do it right.
The first thing to consider when harvesting your cannabis plants is when to harvest them. The timing of your harvest is important because it can have a big impact on the quality of your buds. In general, you want to harvest when most of the trichomes on your buds are milky white or amber in color. If they’re still mostly clear, it’s too early to harvest. And if they’re mostly dark brown or black, it’s too late.
To get a close look at your trichomes and determine when they’re ready for harvest, you’ll need a jeweler’s loupe or a magnifying glass. Once you have one of those, simply take a close look at your buds and look for trichomes that are milky white or amber in color. You can also use a digital microscope if you want to get an even closer look.
Once you’ve determined that most of the trichomes on your buds are milky white or amber in color, it’s time to harvest them. Start by cutting down the main stem of each plant so that all the branches are easier to handle. Then, start trimming away all the leaves from each branch until all that’s left are the flowers (buds). Be sure to save all the leaves that you trim off as they can be used for making hash or other concentrates.
Once all the leaves have been trimmed off, it’s time to start drying and curing your buds. The goal here is to slowly dry out your buds while protecting them from mold and mildew. To do this, start by hanging them upside down in a dark room with good airflow. A closet or spare room works well for this purpose. Every day, check on your buds and remove any that have started to mold or mildew. After about a week or two of drying (depending on how humid it is where you live), your buds should be dry enough to start curing them in jars
The Right Time
The ideal time to harvest your cannabis plant is when the majority of the plant’s pistils have darkened and curled in, and trichomes have developed a milky white appearance. However, the optimal time to harvest will also depend on the desired effect. For example, if you’re looking for a more cerebral high, you’ll want to harvest when around 60% of the pistils have darkened. But if you prefer a more couch-locking body high, then you’ll want to wait until around 80% of the pistils have darkened.
The Right Tools
You will need a few tools to harvest your cannabis plant. Some of these you may already have, and others can be easily found at your local hardware store.
-Pruning shears: You will use these to cut down the main stalk of the plant, as well as to trim away any large fan leaves.
-A small sharp knife: This will be used to remove smaller leaves and buds from the plant.
-A large kitchen knife: This can be used in place of pruning shears to cut down the main stalk of the plant, if necessary.
-A fan: This is used to dry the cannabis after it has been trimmed and is ready for storage.
-A storage container: This can be a mason jar, Tupperware, or any other airtight container that is large enough to hold your trimmed buds.
The Right Place
Harvesting your cannabis plant is a crucial step in the process of enjoying your homegrown product. But where should you do it? The answer may seem obvious – outside, of course! – but there are a few things to consider before taking your shears to your plants. Read on for our top tips on harvesting cannabis plants.
First and foremost, you need to think about the weather. If it’s too hot or too cold, it can adversely affect the quality of your harvest. Make sure to check the forecast before you plan your harvest – you don’t want to be caught in a thunderstorm or snowstorm!
You also need to think about your plants’ exposure to the elements. If they’re in full sun, they’ll dry out quicker than if they’re in shade. If it’s windy, that can also affect drying time. Take all of these factors into account when choosing when and where to harvest your cannabis plants.
Once you’ve found the perfect spot, make sure you have all the supplies you need: a sharp knife or pair of shears, some rubber gloves, and some glass jars or containers with lids. It’s also helpful to have a fan on hand to help with drying (more on that below).
The Right Technique
Once you have chosen the right time to harvest your cannabis plant, it is important to cut the plant correctly. You will need a sharp knife or scissors. Start by cutting off the large fan leaves. These leaves do not have many trichomes and do not contain a lot of THC. Next, cut off the sugar leaves. These leaves are smaller and have more trichomes. Finally, cut the buds off of the main stem of the plant. Be careful not to damage the buds when you are cutting them off.
Now that you have harvested your cannabis plant, it is important to dry and cure the buds correctly. If you do not dry and cure them correctly, they will not be as potent or enjoyable to smoke.
Drying and Curing
Drying and curing are two important steps in the process of harvesting a cannabis plant. Drying allows the plant to transition from alive to dead, while curing helps preserve the plant’s THC content and terpene profile.
When done correctly, drying and curing can help improve the taste, smell, and potency of your final product. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to dry and cure cannabis:
Step 1: Cut down your cannabis plant and hang it upside down in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Step 2: Check on your plant daily, removing any large fan leaves that are different colors than the buds.
Step 3: After about 7-10 days, your cannabis should be dry to the touch. At this point, you can begin trimming away the remaining leaves from the buds.
Step 4: Once trimmed, your buds are ready to be placed in jars or containers. Make sure to leave some space at the top of each container for air circulation.
Step 5: Check on your jars or containers daily, opening them up to let fresh air in for a few minutes. After 2-3 weeks of curing, your cannabis should be ready to smoke or vape!
