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It’s important to know when to harvest your cannabis so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Here are some tips to help you determine when your cannabis is ready to be harvested.
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The Trichomes
The cannabis plant produces trichomes, which are small, delicate, frosty-looking crystals that cover the leaves and buds. These glands are where the majority of the plant’s terpenes and cannabinoids are produced. In order to know when to harvest your cannabis, you need to be able to identify when the trichomes have reached their peak maturity.
The Purpose of Trichomes
The trichomes are the resin glands that produce the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds that make cannabis so medicinally and recreationally valuable. In other words, they’re what gets you high. The density of the trichomes on a cannabis plant is one of the main factors in determining both its potency and quality.
To the naked eye, trichomes appear as tiny furry crystals that cover the surface of the plant’s leaves and buds. Under a magnifying glass or microscope, they look like miniature mushrooms with heads that can range in color from clear to white, brown, or even purple.
Cannabis plants produce trichomes as a defense mechanism to ward off predators such as insects and animals that might want to eat them. The crystals on the surface of the plant are actually tiny sacs filled with a noxious mix of chemicals that deter would-be predators. These same compounds are responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis when consumed by humans.
How to Check the Trichomes
The easiest way to check the trichomes is to use a loupe or microscope. This will allow you to see the trichomes up close and personal so that you can make a more informed decision about when to harvest your cannabis.
If you don’t have a loupe or microscope, you can also use a piece of white paper. Place the paper underneath the cannabis plant and gently shake the branch. The trichomes will fall off of the plant and onto the paper. You can then take a close look at the trichomes to determine if they are ready for harvest.
The Pistils
The pistils of a cannabis plant are one of the most important indicators of when to harvest your crop. They can also give you some insight into the potency of the buds. In this article, we’ll go over what the pistils are, how to identify them, and how to use them to determine when to harvest your cannabis.
The Purpose of Pistils
Pistils are the reproductive organs of the cannabis plant, and their primary purpose is to catch pollen from male plants. When the pollen is caught, it fertilizes the female plant, which then produces seeds. However, pistils can also be used to determine when a cannabis plant is ready to harvest.
The vast majority of cannabis strains are what’s known as “photoperiod” strains, meaning they require a specific light cycle (usually 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness) in order to flower. Once the plant has been subject to this light cycle for a certain period of time (usually 7-10 weeks), it will begin to produce pistils.
The pistils will initially stand up straight, but as the flowering stage continues, they will begin to curl inward and turn red, orange, or brown. The rate at which this happens can vary widely from strain to strain, so it’s important to consult your grower or breeder for more specific guidance.
As a general rule of thumb, however, you can expect most photoperiod strains to be ready for harvest when 50-75% of the pistils have darkened and curled inward. At this point, the psychoactive and medicinal compounds in the plant will have reached their peak levels of potency and effectiveness.
How to Check the Pistils
There are a couple different ways to tell when your cannabis is ready for harvest based on the pistils. The first way is called the “pistil method”. This involves simply checking the percentage of pistils that have darkened and curled inwards. Generally, you want to harvest when 70-80% of the pistils have darkened.
The second way to tell if your cannabis is ready for harvest is by using a jeweler’s loupe or microscope to look at the trichomes on the buds. You want to harvest when the majority of the trichomes are cloudy with just a few that are still clear. If most of the trichomes are brown or amber, then your cannabis is probably too old and will be less potent.
The Stalk
The stalk of the cannabis plant is the part that is typically left behind after the leaves and buds have been harvested. The stalk is not as valuable as the leaves and buds, but it can still be used to make things like hemp rope and oil.
The Purpose of the Stalk
The stalk is the portion of the cannabis plant that connects the leaves and buds to the main stem. It is an important part of the plant, as it helps to support the weight of the leaves and buds. In addition, the stalk helps to transport nutrients and water from the roots to the rest of the plant.
The stalk is also where many of the plant’s flowers are produced. The flowers are actually clusters of small leaves called bracts, which are surrounded by small, greenish-white flowers. These flowers produce the cannabinoids that are responsible for the plant’s medical and recreational effects.
The size and shape of cannabis stalks can vary depending on the strain of plant. Some stalks may be thin and spindly, while others may be thick and strong. The color of the stalk also varies, depending on the strain, with some plants having stalks that are green, while others may be purple or even red.
In general, however, all cannabis plants will have a stalk that is sturdy enough to support the weight of the leaves and buds. The stalk will also have a series of small leaflets attached to it, which help to catch sunlight and convert it into energy for the plant.
How to Check the Stalk
The stalk is an important part of the cannabis plant. It helps support the leaves and flowers, and it also stores nutrients and water. When it’s time to harvest your cannabis, you’ll need to check the stalk to make sure it’s ready.
Here are some things to look for:
-The stalk should be firm and thick.
-The leaves should be yellow or brown, and they should be falling off easily.
-The flowers should be dry and “crumbly.”
If you’re not sure if the stalk is ready, you can always ask a professional grower or a member of your local dispensary staff. They’ll be able to help you out.
The Leaves
It is important to know when to harvest your cannabis so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labour. If you harvest too early, the THC levels will not be at their peak and the plant will not be fully mature. If you harvest too late, the THC levels will start to decrease and the plant will begin to deteriorate.
The Purpose of the Leaves
The leaves of a cannabis plant are its most basic organ and have many purposes. The first purpose is to produce food for the plant through photosynthesis. The second purpose is to act as shade for the lower parts of the plant, preventing them from getting sunburned. The third purpose is to become windbreaks which protect the plant from being toppled over by strong winds. Finally, leaves help to keep the plant’s temperature stable by evaporating water through their pores (stomata), a process called transpiration.
How to Check the Leaves
One of the most common ways to tell when a cannabis plant is ready for harvest is by observing the trichomes on the leaves. Trichomes are small, crystalline structures that form on the surface of the plant. They contain the plant’s cannabinoids, including THC, CBD, and CBN.
When viewed under a microscope, trichomes appear as tiny mushrooms. As the plant matures, these structures will change color from clear to amber/brown. The color change is an indication of how much THC is present in the trichome.
To check your plant’s trichomes, you will need a jeweler’s loupe or a magnifying glass. Inspect the leaves and buds closely and look for any sign of color change. You can also use a digital microscope to get a closer look.
In addition to observing the trichomes, you should also pay attention to the pistils (the tiny hairs) on the buds. As the plant matures, these will change color from white to brown/red. This is another indication that the plant is ready for harvest.
