- Fact-checked by Dr. Desiree Granados
Harvesting cannabis is a delicate process that requires patience, precision, and the right tools. The harvesting times for various strains of cannabis can vary, depending on what you are looking to grow. However, there are general guidelines for when to harvest cannabis plants in order to get the best results.
The first step for harvesting homegrown marijuana is cutting down the plant at its base by using scissors or shears. As soon as it’s cut down, use sharp clippers with long blades to remove any leaves from the plant before putting it into a container filled with ice water. This will make sure that none of your harvest gets damaged during transportation and storage due to heat exposure. Remember that high temperatures cause cannabinoids like THC and CBD to break down.
Drying, Trimming, Curing, and Storing
Once you have brought your cannabis plants inside, it is time to dry them. A slow drying method that uses ice water helps prevent any damage due to heat exposure if the room temperature rises above 74 degrees F. (23 degrees C.). Using a fan to circulate air also speeds up this process because it removes moisture from the plant more quickly. It’s best not to store the weed in plastic bags while it dries because oxygen circulation increases its potency by releasing unique flavors and aromas.
It is important for beginners to keep flowers on these plants until they are properly dried. The last step in harvesting marijuana involves touching flowers with small buds using fingertips instead of knives or sticks since these tools can easily cause damage during their harvest. The buds should be gently pulled away from the rest of the plant instead of cut so that the part where it was attached to the plant remains intact. This will make sure your plants are as easy to package and store as possible without losing any potential potency.
These plants should then be hung upside down in a dark space that has good air circulation (but not too much). The room can be kept at 62-72 degrees F. (17.5-22 degrees C.) during this process. If any pieces fall off, they can be stored until you plan on smoking them because they will retain most of their potency if kept at room temperature in an airtight container. It’s also important to label these containers with all information about what strain is inside so that other people can enjoy it later.
Getting the right balance of THC and CBD in homegrown marijuana is crucial for consumers because they both have different effects on your body. For example, high amounts of THC often result in couch lock, while strains with higher levels of CBD will encourage mental activities such as creativity and problem solving. Using a strain with high levels of both THC and CBD can provide you with more balanced effects that may be beneficial to people who suffer from medical conditions like chronic pain or anxiety.
The Correct Time to Harvest
Harvesting at the correct time provides you with maximum potency and efficiency when growing cannabis in order to get maximum benefits from its use. It’s important to always choose the best quality when creating homemade edibles or using buds when creating weed infused products like oils and butters.
Cannabis plants should be harvested at the optimal time in order to maximize their potency and provide you with fresh, healthy material that can be used for a variety of different purposes. By following these steps, your homegrown cannabis will always feel like home.
When harvesting homegrown cannabis, it is important to take as much care as possible so as to not damage the plant’s trichomes (where all its cannabinoids are stored). Drying the plant slowly with ice water and removing any leaves before bringing it into storage ensures that your weed doesn’t get damaged because of high temperatures or other environmental factors – this keeps you from losing valuable THC and CBD.
Harvesting correctly also involves pulling flowers away from the plant instead of cutting them – this keeps stems intact so that they can be easily packaged and stored. This step is important because improperly dried weed may cause it to mold or rot, potentially losing potency. By following these steps, you can store your cannabis until you are ready to use it by labeling containers with strain information so that it will be easy for other people to find later.
When growing marijuana indoors under lights, you should harvest when the majority of the white hairs have turned brownish gold. Plants should also have at least 50-75% amber colored trichomes before harvesting since trichomes are where all cannabinoids are stored. To make sure your plants are healthy enough to harvest, give them a thorough inspection every few days while monitoring pH and nutrient levels.
When growing marijuana outdoors, harvest time varies depending on light intensity and temperature. Just like when people harvest their vegetables and fruit, outdoor cannabis plants should be ready for their first harvest during the long days of summer, especially if they receive at least 12 hours of direct sunlight every day.
If you follow these steps to make sure your cannabis is as healthy as possible when you go to harvest, then your homegrown weed will be top quality. Harvesting every single bud correctly every time is also important because it helps keep strains pure and maintain its potency.
Other Tips for Harvesting
Having a set of professional tools for harvesting makes this task much easier since they’re designed specifically to cut close to the stem without damaging it at all. Using the correct cuttings machine for this job is also essential because it provides you with complete control over which parts of the plant to harvest.
It’s important that all harvested material is completely dried before you place it into containers. You can use ice to keep temperatures low and prevent mold growth during this process. After your homegrown buds are thoroughly dry, place them into containers that are labeled by strain type so that they’re easy to find.
It’s also possible to dry, cure and store your homegrown weed at a professional facility. This process is done to preserve the best flavor and aroma of the buds while storing it safely for as long as you need. If you have ever considered growing cannabis , then you can also use this knowledge to help your plants produce the best possible yields.
By harvesting at optimal times, it’s easy to keep homegrown cannabis strong and healthy for as long as you need. Harvesting plants after they receive at least 12 hours of direct light every day is particularly important, especially for people who require high-THC weed because it will have the best yield. Drying freshly harvested cannabis slowly is also essential so that trichomes are kept intact – this helps maintain cannabinoid levels and keeps your weed potent, allowing you to enjoy its effects for as long as possible.
How we reviewed this article:
- Department of Cannabis Control California
https://cannabis.ca.gov/licensees/cultivation/ - Medical Cannabis Home Cultivation Guide
https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/10/medical-home-cultivation-guide-.pdf
Current Version
November 26, 2021
Written By
John DiBella
Fact-checked By
Dr. Desiree Granados
Editorial Process
Our Editorial Process
John DiBella is the co-founder and CEO at The Sanctuary Wellness Institute. His goal is to foster healthier lifestyles to improve individuals’ quality of life and health span through online medical and non-medical services. When he’s not writing blogs about medical marijuana, he enjoys hiking, camping, surfing and sailing.
