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It’s harvest time! Check out our guide on when to harvest your cannabis plants, complete with pictures to help you determine the perfect time to harvest.
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Introduction
The best time to harvest your cannabis plants is when the buds are in the late flowering stage. You can tell that your plant is in the late flowering stage when about 70-80% of the white pistils have turned brown. If you harvest your plants too early, the buds will be less potent and have a lower yield. If you harvest your plants too late, the buds will be more potent but will have a lower yield.
The Right Time to Harvest
The right time to harvest your cannabis plants is a matter of personal preference. Some people like to harvest early for a more cerebral high, while others wait until the plants are fully mature for a more potent effect. There are also environmental factors to consider, like the length of the growing season in your area.
To decide when to harvest, it’s helpful to know a little about the plant’s life cycle. Cannabis plants go through two main phases of growth: the vegetative phase and the flowering phase. The vegetative phase is when the plant is growing leaves and stems. The flowering phase is when the plant is growing flowers (also called buds).
Most cannabis strains will start toflower after about 6-8 weeks of vegetative growth. However, some strains can take up to 16 weeks to flower. Once the plant starts flowering, it will continue to do so until it is harvested.
The length of the flowering phase varies depending on the strain, but most plants will be ready to harvest after 8-12 weeks of flowering. Again, some strains can take up to 16 weeks to fully mature.
The best way to determine when your plants are ready to harvest is by using a jeweler’s loupe or magnifying glass to closely inspect the buds. You’re looking for tiny white hairs called pistils, which are actually hollow fibers that capture pollen from male cannabis plants (cannabis plants can be either male or female).
When these pistils turn from white to red, orange, or brown, it means that the plant is probably ready to harvest. The pistils will also start to curl inward and become sticky at this point. How many pistils are pointing inwards is a matter of personal preference; some people like lots of curls while others prefer fewer curls. Keep in mind that the more curls there are, the higher the THC content will be in your buds!
Another way to tell if your plant is ready for harvest is by looking at the trichomes, which are tiny crystals that cover the surface of cannabis buds (and leaves). These crystals contain THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids that give cannabis its distinctive smell and flavor. You can inspect your plant’s trichomes with a jeweler’s loupe or magnifying glass; they will look like tiny hairs or mushrooms if they’re ready for harvest.
Factors to Consider
When it comes to deciding when to harvest your cannabis plants, there are a few key factors to consider. The most important factor is the trichome development. Trichomes are the tiny resin glands that cover the buds and leaves of the plant, and contain the vast majority of the plant’s cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc). They appear as tiny hairs, and can be seen with the naked eye if you look closely enough. However, a jeweler’s loupe or microscope will give you a much better idea of their development.
The second major factor is the stage of maturity of the plant. Cannabis plants go through stages of vegetative growth and flowering. The vegetative stage is when the plant is growing leaves and stems, and is when you want to control the size of your plants. The flowering stage is when the plant begins to produce buds (the part of the plant that you smoke).
The final factor to consider is the weather. If you live in an area with a short growing season, you may need to harvest your plants early to avoid them being damaged by frost or snow.
Tools You Need
In order to harvest your cannabis plants, you will need a few tools. First, you will need a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears. Second, you will need a clean container to store your finished product. Finally, you will need a drying rack or some other place to hang your plants upside down so that they can dry properly.
Now that you have gathered the necessary tools, it is time to learn how to identify when your plants are ready to be harvested.
The Process of Harvesting
The process of harvesting your cannabis plants is a very delicate one. There are many factors that go into deciding when to harvest, including the type of strain you are growing, the environment your plants are in, and even the size of your plants.
Most growers prefer to harvest their plants in the morning, when the THC levels are at their highest. However, if you are growing a indica strain, it is best to harvest in the evening, as these strains tend to have higher levels of CBD.
You will know it is time to harvest your plants when the buds begin to turn brown and die back. The leaves will also begin to turn yellow and fall off. Once this process begins, it is important to harvest as soon as possible, as the THC levels will begin to decline.
Curing Your Cannabis
Curing your cannabis is the process of drying and storing your weed so that it’s ready to smoke. While you can technically harvest your weed and smoke it immediately, it won’t be cured and won’t reach its full potential in terms of taste, smell, or potency. Curing also helps to preserve your weed so that it lasts longer.
The curing process is simple, but it does take some time. You’ll need to dry your weed slowly and then store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. The whole process can take several weeks, but it’s worth the wait!
Once your weed is dry, you can begin the curing process by storing it in an airtight container such as a mason jar. Be sure to check on your weed regularly and open the jar to allow fresh air to circulate. After a few weeks, your weed will be cured and ready to smoke!
