Welcome, fellow green thumbs, to the most crucial moment in your cannabis cultivation journey: the harvest! This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of when to harvest your marijuana plants for the best results. We'll explore the signs to look for, the tools you'll need, and the methods that will help you achieve the perfect harvest every time. So, grab your magnifying glass, and let's dive into the world of cannabis cultivation!
How Long Does It Take From Planting to Harvest For Marijuana
Knowing when to harvest your cannabis plants is a delicate art, much like choosing the perfect moment to pick a ripe fruit. The key is to pay close attention to the plant's physical changes as it transitions from the vegetative to the flowering stage.
The duration of time that passes between when you press your seeds into the earth and when the plant's hefty curable buds are ready for collection can vary quite a bit depending on the genetics of the strain that you are planning to plant in your home grow operation. Autoflowering strains that flower without their grower creating specific conditions can take as little as twelve weeks, while some of the photoperiod strains can take upwards of thirty-two weeks before they are at optimal collection time. You can generally expect a plant to take roughly twelve to twenty weeks to develop their height and breadth, produce their buds, and be at harvest time. As you browse the Kind Seeds selection of premium seeds, you will see a rough estimate of what you can expect from each cultivar. Although the average time will be listed for your convenience, the exact time to start harvesting will be determined by certain visual cues evident in your mature plant. Collecting at the right time can determine the potency and type of high you will experience, so knowing how to identify, collect and cure your buds will make all the difference in getting the most from your growing efforts. Below we will go into details about how to determine the precise moment you should collect your buds, how to go about it and what kind of equipment will assist you in doing the deed.
Signs to Look For
- Pistil Method: Keep an eye on the pistils, the hair-like structures on your buds. When 50-70% of the pistils have darkened and curled in, your plants are typically ready for harvest.
- Trichome Method: For a more accurate assessment, use a magnifying tool to examine the trichomes, the tiny, resin-filled glands on the buds. When 50-70% of the trichomes have turned from clear to milky white, it's time to harvest.
- Leaf Color: As the plant approaches maturity, some of its larger fan leaves may begin to yellow and fall off. This is a natural part of the process and not a cause for concern.
When Should You Harvest Marijuana Plants?
When you select your marijuana seeds and begin to grow, the first step in determining the harvesting time is marking on your calendar the day your plants start to flower. This will set you up with a rough estimate of when it will be time to harvest, based on the listed timeframe in which your plants are expected to hit maturity. The first clue that your buds are almost ready for collection is the small hairs, called pistils, will start to change color to brown or red. Having a magnifying glass to get a better look at these fine particles will assist you in determining this moment. Another indicator is in the color of the glassy layer of trichomes that develop on the exterior of your buds. Rubbing or brushing the flowers, whether against your hands as you trim, or against the walls of the grow space, can alter the surface and lead to misjudgment in harvest time. The color of the trichomes is the deciding factor, so when the glistening mushroom shaped stalks are altered by external sources, they can send you mixed messages. Have a look at the buds that are forming in the center of the plant, as they will have less surface exposure to elements that can alter their appearance. In the early stages, they will be clear, but closer to maturity, they will turn opaque and then start to brown. Once about ten percent have taken on an amber hue, your time to collect has come!
How Often Can You Harvest Marijuana Plants?
Unfortunately, cannabis plants are one off producers. They sprout from their seeds, move through their vegetation stage and then into their flowering process. Once they have hit peak maturity, they are ready to harvest, and then they die off. Having said that, sometimes it is appropriate to harvest the buds in stages. You could opt to keep an eye out for the change in the trichomes and harvest as they take on their amber hue. However, it is generally better to harvest the whole plant at once, as it allows all the buds to dry at the same pace. Whether you are growing indoors or out, the same rules apply. Though, when you do grow in the garden, you need to make sure to plant with plenty of time for your plants to reach maturity before the colder winter weather moves in. Generally, the beginning to the middle of October is the right time to pull your plants so that they are not hurt by the first frost. The time to plant your seeds will depend on the expected length of the strain’s life cycle, but often getting your seeds in the ground by early spring will have the buds ready for collection before the cold weather threatens to harm your crop. When you only get one chance to harvest your beauties, you want to make sure to stay on top of the timing to secure a hefty, healthy collection of smokable herbs for your stash!
What Tools Do You Need To Harvest Marijuana?
There are not a lot of items you need to harvest your plants, but there are a few things that are worth having on hand to make your process easier.
- Magnifying Tool: A jeweler's loupe, digital microscope, or even a smartphone camera with a macro lens can help you get a closer look at your plant's trichomes.
- Latex-free gloves: They will be a bonus for you and your plants, as they protect the plants from being damaged by the oils or other contaminants that may rest on your bare skin, and protect your fingers from being coated with sticky resin. A magnifying glass is another superb tool to keep around. This will give you a clear enough view of the pistils and trichomes that adorn your buds to detect the subtle changes in color as they reach maturity.
- Trimming scissors: That are sharp and spring loaded will help you remove the excess foliage from your buds without cramping your hands, and pruning shears can help you cut through the thick base of the plant's stem. These instruments are quick to get coated with resin which makes them less efficient, so it is also helpful to have alcohol and wipes on hand to wipe away the residue as you go.
- The rack: Last, but definitely not least, it is integral to have a rack in a designated area on which your plants can dry. The rack itself is not entirely necessary, but a room with the optimal conditions to effectively dry your buds certainly is. Ideally you will find a dark, dry space with adequate airflow to cure your buds without the risk of rot or mold development.
How To Harvest Marijuana Plants
As harvest time is fast approaching, the first step is to trim away the excess leaves to allow air and light to infiltrate the maturing buds. You can leave some on as a tool for identifying other issues, but remove most to help your plants take advantage of the last bit of sun exposure. If you are growing indoors, you can reduce the humidity before you harvest to cue the development of a richer layer of trichomes, which are responsible for the flavor and effects delivered by your buds. You can also reduce the amount of nutrients you are feeding your babies as well as the temperatures of your space. Depending on the strain, cold snapping your plants at this stage can activate the development of purple hues in the leaves and buds and add even more bag appeal to your favorite herbs. Once you give the plant and soil a flush to remove the excess nutrients, you are ready to start preparing the harvesting room itself. Hang your trimmed buds upside down in a dark, well-ventilated room with temperatures between 60-70°F and humidity levels around 50%. After 7-10 days, when the stems snap easily but the buds still have some give, your buds are ready for the curing process. Place them in airtight jars and store them in a cool, dark place. Open the jars daily for the first week to release any built-up moisture, then once every few days for the next 2-4 weeks. As for the leaves, trimming early on when there is plenty of humidity present is best as it keeps mold issues at bay, but after is optimal for a drier space as it allows the buds to cure more slowly.
What To Avoid When Harvesting Marijuana
There are a few things to be mindful of when getting ready to harvest your plants. First off, you do not want to harvest too early. This can compromise several aspects of your grow including the potency of your buds, along with the size of the colas and the abundance of the yield. Second, you do not want to either over handle your plants or under handle your operation. Try to keep your hands off the stalks, stems, leaves and buds as the plant matures, as you risk bringing harmful oils or germs to your stash. Even the most robust specimens are somewhat delicate, so try not to directly touch your plants, or touch them with too much aggression as you harvest. When you have a larger operation, you may want to ask some friends to help you with the final process. When you are growing to stock dispensaries, harvesting in one foul swoop can contribute to consistency in each batch. Depending on the size of your grow, this may not be possible without rallying up some extra hands. If your plants are left a little too long without being cut, the effects can go from being uplifting and balanced to deeply sedating. A twelve-hour window is about all you have to cut, dry and trim your buds so a few friends with some extra tools will assist you in getting the biggest collection of healthy herb to meet the needs of your customers and keep your operation in full swing.
How to Harvest Seeds From Cannabis Plants
Cannabis seeds are born from the process of male plants pollinating female plants. As the pollen is absorbed by the ladies, their hormones shift and instead of generating smokable buds, they develop a stash of seeds in the center of their flowers. Harvesting seeds starts with harvesting and curing your buds. Once you have cut your stalks, it is time to cure them. This is the process of completely drying out the flowers and it takes time for all the moisture to be evaporated. It can take up to three weeks, depending on the climate of your curing grounds. To begin, you want to trim your buds. You may choose to do this before they dry, or you can wait until they are already dry and remove the excess foliage. This is a time to bring out your disposable gloves, as your bare hands can damage the trichomes and affect the potency of your herb. From here, you will want to grab some mason jars and fill them up to about seventy five percent with your dry buds. Seal the jar and shake it to see if the flowers stick together, if they do not, they are dry enough to leave alone. You will want to keep an eye on your buds for the next few days and make sure they are emitting a sweet smell, as this is an indication that they are curing without the excess moisture in their folds that can threaten to ruin them.
Can You Harvest Weed From Male Plants?
The role of the male cannabis plant is predominantly to pollinate the female in order to produce the seeds of the next generation. The females, left to their own devices, will generate the buds that we cure and toke. This means that most folks simply keep an eye out for the first signs of male plants and remove them quickly from the grow operation before they spread their pollen. Not only do they change the bulk of the production of the females from flower to seed, they can lower the THC content of the salvageable buds. Males do not generate these potent, desirable smokable nugs, but that does not mean they are without value. If the male plant exhibits superior growth patterns, like fast maturation or a natural resistance against mold and pests, then it is worth keeping around for breeding with other ladies. The flowers on these plants are also notoriously high in CBD. While the raw flower itself may not be so useful, people love to extract the CBD from the plant into a concentrate which can be used in tinctures, topicals and edibles. Although the flower from the male cannabis plant is not often smoked, it is also possible to enjoy a session. The only problem is that so much of the constitution of the buds are seeds, which renders much of the flower unusable. Once you remove all of the seeds, you can roll a joint and take a puff, however, do not expect much more than a mild stone.
Final Thoughts
Harvesting your marijuana plants at the right time is crucial for achieving the best potency, flavor, and overall quality of your homegrown cannabis. By paying close attention to the plant's physical changes and using the right tools, you can ensure a successful harvest every time. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first harvest isn't perfect. With time and experience, you'll become a master of the green arts!
Happy harvesting, and may the buds be ever in your favor!
