Crop harvesting is easily the most exciting time as a cannabis grower. Still, not everyone knows the optimal time to achieve the ideal point of ripeness. Even though harvesting a crop may involve chopping the plant down and letting it dry out, there are multiple factors to consider achieving the ultimate quality harvest.
In this article, I will explain the right time to harvest your crops, the differences between indoor and fall harvest crops, provide a step-by-step guide to harvest a crop, tools and equipment necessary, all the signs to look out, and cover mistakes to avoid to allow you to harvest crops during the pinnacle harvest window.
How Will You Know When the Right Time for Harvesting a Crop?
Traditionally, cannabis growers have harvested their crops solely based on the recommended flowering time provided by the seed bank or breeder. Marking a specific day on your calendar may work; however, it is not the most accurate way to determine the optimal time to harvest crops. There are several key factors to consider if you are harvesting photoperiods, an auto flower weed plant, indoor or outdoor weed which are outlined below.
Trichome Maturity
Cannabis plants will produce trichomes, which are the tiny glands that produce the essential oils, terpenes and cannabinoids that make cannabis plants so unique. You will need to use a magnification tool to check the trichome maturity up close. When viewed, you will notice the head of the trichome is either clear, cloudy or has amber shades.
Bud Density
When harvesting our crops, after spending months growing them, we all want those chunky, dense, and hard-to-squeeze buds. The degree to which the buds have developed will also indicate the correct harvesting date. If the buds do not seem as thick as they could be and have an airy consistency, there is a good chance your crop needs more time to mature.
Resin Development
Not all cannabis plants will be as frosty as others; however, when it comes to harvesting your crop, you should expect to have the buds and smaller surrounding leaves covered in resin. The more resin on the plant, the better. However, if you notice the plants are not as resinous as they should be, avoid harvesting too early and give the crop more time.
Calyx and Bract Size
The calyx and bracts are the parts that make up the flowers. During the final 2 weeks of flower development, they should be as stacked and swollen as possible. A good way to check is to give the buds a mild squeeze and see if they have a dense characteristic or feel spongy and light.
White to Brown Pistils
According to MSNL, the initial pre flowers will look like little white whiskers that we call pistils, this is the first sign of the bud developing. During the final stages of bud production, these white pistils will begin to shift from white to orange or brown depending on the strain. A good rule of thumb is to wait until all of the hairs are 85% to 90% brown, as well as checking trichome maturity.
Terpene Profile
Terpenes are what give cannabis plants their smell and flavour, and are a great way to determine if the plants are mature and ready for crop harvesting.
In some cases, your plants may smell incredible and fill the grow room with a delightful scent every time you enter. Then again, some plants may need more time to allow them to fully develop trichomes, which contain the terpenes and cannabinoids that produce the effects associated with cannabis.
Seedbank Harvest Date
The final thing you can add to your checklist for correcting harvesting a crop is to use the recommended harvest date provided by the seed company or breeder. While this date works well most of the time, consider that some plants may produce different phenotypes that can finish earlier or later than the recommended date.
The Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Crop Harvesting
Suppose you are an indoor cannabis grower or have been growing your outdoor crop. In that case, the harvest dates will vary slightly depending on the indoor growing environment and outdoor conditions. Below is a breakdown of the difference and what you should know when harvesting your crop.
Harvesting Indoor Crops
Grow lights can be set at any time, and during the flowering stage, they are usually set to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. This light cycle enables cannabis plants to mature and ripen significantly faster than they would when grown naturally outside.
Fall Harvest Crops
Outdoor cannabis plants will experience different fall harvest crop dates based on the climate and weather. Some parts of Europe will be ready for harvesting around early September, while Spanish weather, for example, can last as long as the middle of October.
Tools and Equipment for Harvesting Crops
Now that you are aware of the different signs to look out for, the next step is to prepare the necessary tools and equipment to achieve ultimate ripeness and maturity. Below is a short list of what you will need to become a professional at crop harvesting.
● 1 x pair of scissors
● 1 x grow tent
● 1 x carbon filter and extractor
● 1 x hygrometer to check temperature and humidity
● 1 x drying net or hanging hooks
● 1 x plastic bag for collecting leaves
● 1 x trim tray for collecting resinous material
A Step-by-Step Guide for harvesting your cannabis crop
You only get one chance to harvest your cannabis crop, and you will want to make sure that the harvesting process is done correctly. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to harvest your plants.
Step 1: Remove the fan leaves from the plants before chopping the stems.
Step 2: Cut the stem and hang the entire plant from a hook.
Step 3: Cut each side branch, isolate the buds, and place them on a tray.
Step 4: Carefully cut away all of the smaller-sized resinous leaves from the buds.
Step 5: Either hang up the trimmed buds on the branch or place them on a dry net
Step 6: Allow the buds to dry for 10-14 days inside a temperature-controlled room or tent.
The Ideal Drying Conditions for Crop Harvesting
Drying your cannabis plants after crop harvesting is essential. The drying stage will be the difference maker between a top-quality, flavourful crop and buds that taste fresh but have dried too fast, or are still spongy and wet.
● The temperature should be between 15 °C and 18 °C.
● The humidity levels should be between 50% and 60%.
● There should be no oscillating fan inside the room.
● Cannabis buds require between 10 and 14 days before they are ready.
● Keep the buds inside a dark grow room.
● Ensure the room is smell-proof by using a carbon filter.
● Avoid touching the buds as they dry to maintain their quality.
Mistakes to Avoid When Harvesting Crops
I have seen many growers ruin their crops when harvesting by not following specific criteria, and simply wasting all their months of hard work. Below is a list of mistakes to avoid, so you can harvest the best weed possible.
Speed Drying
This refers to when the buds have dried out too quickly, resulting in a fresh plant taste or simply a lack of aroma or flavour. There are several reasons a grower can unintentionally speed dry their crop, ranging from using fans to hot temperatures or low humidity levels.
Using Fans
Using the air current produced by fans can be a costly mistake, as it causes the buds to dry quickly and fall out of the optimal moisture level range.
Being Lazy
When you chop down your plants and start trimming, even though it can be a lengthy and arduous process, do your best to cut and hang all your buds within the same time frame. Leaving your plants for long periods before trimming them can harm their flavour and aroma.
Harvesting Too Early
A common mistake that is easily made by beginner growers, or those in a rush to harvest their crop, due to having nothing left in their jars. Harvesting a week or two earlier than expected will produce a low-quality crop that lacks effect, aroma and terpenes.
No Carbon Filter
When your plants are dying out, this is the time when they will be the most aromatic and pungent. Ensure that your dry room is odour-proof by using a carbon filter and extractor. The last thing you want is to cause your house to stink of high-grade weed and the neighbours to complain.
Not Enough Room
If you are hanging the entire plant or using a dry net, it is best to give the buds or plants plenty of space to correctly air out. Overcrowded drying nets or plants hanging too closely together can affect the speed of the drying process and cause inconsistencies in the dry room.
Atami’s Conclusion for Harvesting a Cannabis Crop
Harvesting cannabis crops correctly will allow you to achieve the ideal point of ripeness. Be sure to follow the 7 signs provided above to access the pinnacle harvest window regardless of indoor or outdoor grown crops.
Prepare your drying room, tools, and equipment in advance before chopping down your plants, and pay close attention to the temperature and humidity of your drying room. Good luck harvesting the best crop possible and enjoying those cup-winning buds you spent months caring for!
