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It’s crucial to know when to harvest your cannabis plants. Find out the best time to harvest your plants so you can get the most out of them.
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Introduction
The time of year when you harvest your cannabis plants can have a big impact on the quality and quantity of your final product. In general, cannabis plants should be harvested in the fall, when the days are shorter and the nights are longer. This allows the plants to produce more flowers, which results in a bigger yield.
However, if you live in a climate where the weather is warm year-round, you can harvest your plants anytime. Just keep in mind that the quality of the buds will be lower if you harvest in the spring or summer, when the days are longer.
To determine when to harvest your plants, you’ll need to pay close attention to the trichomes. These are tiny hairs that cover the surface of the buds and turn from white to brown as the plant matures. When about 60-70% of the trichomes have turned brown, it’s time to harvest.
You can also use a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the trichomes. If they appear clear, it’s too early to harvest. If they’re mostly brown, it’s time to harvest. And if they’re all brown, it’s too late!
Once you’ve determined that it’s time to harvest, make sure to do so carefully. Cut off each branch with a sharp knife or pruning shears, and hang them upside down in a cool, dark place to dry for about two weeks. This will help ensure that your buds are potent and full of flavor.
The flowering stage
The flowering stage is when your cannabis plants produce the coveted buds that you’ll eventually harvest, dry and cure. For growers, the flowering stage is often the most anticipated part of the cultivation process. But before your plants can start flowering, they must first enter what’s called the vegetative stage.
The vegetative stage is when your cannabis plants are growing and developing, but not yet producing buds. In order to flower, your plants need to receive a specific light cycle that signals to them that it’s time to start reproducing. For most cannabis strains, this light cycle is 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness (14/10). Once your plants have been on a 14/10 light cycle for a few weeks, they should begin to show signs of pre-flowering.
Pre-flowering is when your plants start to develop the reproductive organs (stalks and flowers) that will eventually become buds. The pre-flowering stage usually lasts for 1-2 weeks, after which your plants will enter the flowering stage. At this point, you can expect to see visible buds begin to form on your plants.
The length of the flowering stage varies depending on the strain of cannabis you are growing, but most strains will be ready for harvest 8-12 weeks after entering the flowering stage. As a general rule of thumb, indica strains tend to flower faster than sativa strains. However, there are many exceptions to this rule so it’s always best to consult your grower or refer to the strain description when trying to determine when your particular plants will be ready for harvest.
Trichomes
You’ve finally made it to the home stretch. Your cannabis plants have been growing strong and healthy, and now it’s time to harvest them. But how can you tell when they’re ready?
The best way to tell when your plants are ready to harvest is to look at the trichomes. Trichomes are the tiny, crystal-like hairs that cover the buds and leaves of the plant. They’re what give cannabis its distinct smell and appearance, and they’re also where the majority of the plant’s cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) are produced.
When the trichomes are clear or milky white, it means the plant is not quite ready to harvest. If you wait too long, the trichomes will start to turn amber or brown, which indicates that the cannabinoids are beginning to degrade. For most people, the sweet spot is when about 60-70% of the trichomes have turned milky white.
Of course, this is just a general guideline. The best way to know for sure when your plants are ready is to observe them closely and use a jeweler’s loupe or microscope to get a close look at the trichomes. With experience, you’ll develop a better eye for when they’re ready to harvest.
Pistils
Pistils are the small, finger-like structures that protrude from the flowering tops of female cannabis plants. During the plant’s flowering cycle, pistils change color as they slowly swell and grow longer. For most strains, this color change happens gradually over a period of weeks as the plant matures and is ready to harvest.
The color of the pistils can be used as an indicators of maturity, but it’s important to note that different strains will exhibit different colors during maturity. For example, some indica strains will have mostly red pistils at maturity, while others will be more brown. As a general rule of thumb, you can start checking for maturity when about 60-70% of the pistils have changed color.
Once you’ve determined that your plants are mature, it’s time to begin harvest. Start by cutting down the main stem of each plant just above the soil line. Then, carefully remove all the branches and leaves from the plants so that only the flowering tops remain. These can then be hung upside down in a cool, dark place to dry for about a week or until they are cracker-dry to the touch.
The harvest window
The harvest window is the time period during which you should harvest your cannabis plants. For most growers, this falls between late September and early October. However, the exact timing will depend on a number of factors, including the type of cannabis you are growing, the climate in your area, and the maturity of your plants.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding when to harvest your cannabis plants:
-The amount of time it takes for cannabis plants to mature can vary depending on the strain. Some strains can be ready to harvest in as little as 8 weeks, while others may take up to 12 weeks or more.
-Cannabis plants grown outdoors will typically be ready to harvest a few weeks earlier than plants grown indoors.
-The weather can also impact the timing of your harvest. If you live in an area with a long growing season and warm weather, your plants may be ready to harvest earlier than if you live in an area with a short growing season and cool weather.
To determine when your particular plants will be ready to harvest, pay attention to the following signs:
-The pistils (hairs) on the buds will start to turn from white or green to brown or red.
-The buds will swell and become denser.
-The leaves of the plant will begin to yellow and die back.
When you think your plants are ready to harvest, it’s a good idea to do a test by harvesting one plant first. This will allow you to assess the maturity of the buds and determine if they are ready to be harvested or if they need more time.
How to harvest
The harvesting of cannabis plants is a process that can vary depending on the grower and the strain being grown. For the most part, however, there are certain ways to tell when your plants are ready to harvest. Here are some things to look for:
-The trichomes on the buds have turned from clear to milky white.
-The pistils on the buds have started to darken and curl inward.
-If you are growing indica strains, the leaves nearest the buds will start to turn yellow and die back.
-If you are growing sativa strains, the leaves will begin to turn red or purple.
Once you have determined that your plants are ready to harvest, there are a few things you need to do in order to ensure a successful harvest. First, you will need to cut down the main stem of each plant. Be sure to cut as close to the main stem as possible in order to avoid damaging the buds. Next, you will need to trim away any unwanted leaves and branches. Finally, you will need to dry and cure your buds in order for them to be ready for smoking.
Drying and curing
After you’ve harvested your plants, the next step is to dry and cure the buds. Drying helps to reduce the moisture content of your flowers, while curing allows for better preservation of their flavors and aromas.
The drying process can take anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on the humidity and temperature of your curing area. Once the buds are dry to the touch, they can be stored in airtight containers (such as mason jars) and placed in a cool, dark place.
Curing your buds properly is essential for preserving their quality, so be patient! The curing process can take several weeks, but it’s worth it when you enjoy the finished product.
