Cannabis Harvest: When and How to Harvest Correctly

In this article, you will learn everything important about cannabis:

• the optimal harvest time for cannabis
• when you can harvest cannabis without a magnifying glass
• how to tell if your cannabis plants are ready to harvest

We will also show you how color helps determine the harvest time. The topics also include the time until harvest and the harvest time of cannabis. Drying and curing as well as yield are also important aspects. With helpful pictures, we illustrate when to harvest cannabis.

We explain in detail how to determine if your plants are ready for harvest without special equipment. Practical tips and visual aids support you in navigating from seed to harvest. To achieve the maximum yield from your plants, we explain each step thoroughly and clearly.

Additionally, you will receive valuable information on properly drying and curing your harvest. This is also crucial for quality and taste.

The Optimal Harvest Time: When to Harvest Cannabis

The right harvest time for cannabis depends on various factors, including the strain, cultivation method, and conditions. One method to determine when to harvest your weed is by the state of the trichomes (plant hairs). When the trichomes are milky white or amber, your cannabis plant is ready for harvest.

Outdoor growers also need to consider the weather and relative humidity to avoid mold. The question "when to harvest cannabis" is best answered by observing the trichomes. If you want to know the optimal outdoor harvest time for cannabis, watch for the change in color, which is a sign of the plant's maturity.

Another factor is the desired effect of the product. For a more energetic effect, harvest when the trichomes are mostly milky. For a calming effect, wait until many trichomes are amber. This requires regular and precise monitoring of the plants to avoid missing the perfect harvest time.

In summary: Observing environmental conditions is crucial. This guarantees the right harvest time and the best result. It is important to check the plants several times a day, especially when harvest time is near.

How Long Does a Cannabis Plant Take to Harvest?

The time a plant takes to harvest varies greatly depending on the strain and cultivation conditions. Autoflowering strains can be harvested after 8 to 10 weeks. Light-dependent strains usually take 3 to 4 months. During this time, the plant goes through various phases, from germination to the final stage.

Autoflowering strains are popular among beginners because they are less prone to mistakes and do not require a strict light cycle. Light-dependent strains, on the other hand, require a change in the light cycle to initiate the flowering phase, making them better for experienced growers.

Observing the trichomes is crucial to determining the right harvest time. Seeing trichomes milky or amber is a clear indication that the plant is ready for harvest. Temperature, humidity, and nutrient supply also play an important role in the plant's growth and maturity.

If you are wondering how long a plant takes to harvest, consider the specific conditions and strains. Carefully managed cultivation can significantly affect the quality and potency of the harvest.

Determining Cannabis Harvest Time

To correctly determine the cannabis harvest time, various factors should be considered. The color of the trichomes plays an essential role. Initially, the trichomes are clear, then they become milky white and finally amber. For a high psychoactive effect, most trichomes should be milky white.

When the trichomes are mostly amber, the cannabis has a more relaxing effect. The right harvest time also depends on the desired effect. With the harvest time cannabis when to harvest pictures, you can recognize and document the different stages of maturity.

In addition to the trichomes, the color of the pistils is also an indicator. Initially, the pistils are white, but they turn brown or orange over time. A harvest can occur when about 70-90% of the pistils have changed color.

In addition to observing the trichomes and pistils, the overall condition of the plant should also be considered. Healthy, robust plants with intact leaves and buds provide the best results.

The overall appearance of the plant can provide valuable clues as to whether it is ready for harvest. Otherwise, it needs more time to reach its full potential. Careful monitoring of all these factors ensures that the harvest takes place at the optimal time.

How to Properly Harvest Cannabis Plants

The correct technique when harvesting cannabis is crucial to preserving the quality of the buds. Here are some steps you should follow:

• Observe the trichomes regularly to avoid missing the optimal time: The optimal time for harvest is when the trichomes are milky white with a slight amber hue. This indicates that the plant has reached its highest THC and CBD content.
• Harvest in the early morning hours when the terpenes are most intense: At this time of day, the terpenes are most intense. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that not only influence the scent and taste of the buds but also their medicinal properties. Harvesting in the morning ensures that these compounds are maximally preserved.
• Avoid harvesting your plants too early to ensure full potency: Patience is key to ensuring the full potency of your plants. Early harvesting can lead to lower THC concentration and impair the overall experience.
• Carefully cut the buds: Use sharp, clean scissors to cut the buds. Then hang them upside down in a dark, well-ventilated room. This step is important to ensure even drying. Also, be careful when wet or dry trimming during processing.
• Ensure the humidity during drying is around 50%: Consistent humidity helps avoid mold and ensures that the buds dry slowly and evenly. Too high humidity can cause mold, while too low humidity can dry out the buds and reduce their quality.

Drying and Curing Cannabis

After harvesting, it is important to properly dry and cure the buds. This improves quality and taste.

Dry the buds in a dark, well-ventilated room with a relative humidity of 45-55%. The temperature should ideally be between 18-22°C. This process takes about 7-10 days.

After drying, the curing process begins, where the buds are stored in airtight jars. The jars should be opened daily for 10-15 minutes to allow excess moisture to escape. This prevents mold formation.

This process is also called “burping”. It promotes the development of terpenes and other compounds, resulting in better taste and higher potency.

This process typically takes 2-4 weeks but can be extended up to 8 weeks for even better quality.

During this time, a slow chemical transformation occurs. The psychoactive effect of the cannabis is optimized, making the smoking experience smoother and more enjoyable.

How Much Cannabis Per Harvest?

The amount of cannabis you get per harvest depends on various factors, such as the strain, environmental conditions, and plant care. On average, a plant can produce between 50 and 500 grams of dried buds.

Autoflowering strains tend to yield less than light-dependent strains but are quicker to harvest. Growing cannabis outdoors usually yields larger harvests than indoor growing due to natural light conditions and longer growth periods. Outdoor plants can produce several kilograms per plant under optimal conditions.

Indoor growing allows for optimized environmental conditions such as light, temperature, and humidity. Hydroponic methods, like growing in nutrient solutions, can also increase yield.

Other factors that can affect yield include:

• Fertilization
• Pruning of plants
• Pest control

Cannabis Trichomes: When Are They Ripe?

Trichomes are tiny, mushroom-like glands found on the buds and leaves of the cannabis plant. They contain most of the compounds that give the plant its unique properties. The color of the trichomes is an important indicator of the plant's maturity.

Clear trichomes indicate that the plant is not yet ripe. Its potency is not fully developed. Milky white trichomes show that the plant has reached its peak.

All important compounds are optimally present. This phase is ideal for achieving an energetic and euphoric effect.

Amber trichomes indicate that the plant has a relaxing effect and contains less THC. Trichomes must be milky or amber to be considered ripe. This color signals a late maturity phase, offering a more relaxing effect.

Monitoring the trichomes requires a microscope or a strong magnifying glass to accurately view the small glands. This method helps growers determine the best time for harvest to achieve the desired effect of the end product.

When to Harvest Cannabis Without a Magnifying Glass?

For those who do not want to use a magnifying glass, there are other indicators. The pistils change color from white to orange or brown, indicating that the plant is ripe.

The wilting of the leaves and the density of the buds can also be clues. This can help you determine when to harvest cannabis without a magnifying glass.

Tips for the Cannabis Harvest

• Observe the trichomes regularly to avoid missing the optimal time.
• Harvest in the early morning hours when the terpenes are most intense.
• Avoid harvesting your plants too early to ensure full potency.
• Ensure your plants are properly dried and stored to prevent mold.
• Use a magnifying glass if needed to accurately assess the color of the trichomes.

Growing cannabis requires patience and care, especially when it comes to harvesting. It is important to understand the different growth stages and recognize the signs indicating that your plants are ripe.

With the right techniques and careful observation of the trichomes, you can harvest your cannabis buds at the best time to achieve the highest quality and potency.

Outdoor growers should pay special attention to the weather to avoid mold formation and ensure the plants are harvested before the first frost. Note that autoflowering strains and various cannabis strains may have different harvest times.

Always adhere to the specific requirements of your plants to achieve the best results. Harvesting cannabis is a crucial step that should be carried out with care and precision. Harvesting marijuana is both an art and a science.