Best Time When To Harvest Marijuana

When to Harvest Marijuana: A Complete Guide

Harvesting marijuana is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of growing cannabis. However, it is also one of the most challenging and crucial steps to making or breaking your final product. Harvesting too early or too late can result in lower potency, flavor, and yield and an increased risk of mold, pests, and degradation. Therefore, knowing when to harvest marijuana is essential for getting the best quality and quantity of buds.

This article will explore the different methods to determine the optimal harvest time for marijuana and the best practices for trimming, drying, curing, and storing your buds. We will also provide tips and tricks to help you consistently achieve the perfect harvest.

Harvesting marijuana immediately is essential for maximizing potency, flavor, and yield.

The pistil and trichome methods are the main methods to determine the harvest time.

The pistil method is based on the color change of the hairs on the buds, while the trichome method is based on the color and clarity of the resin glands on the buds.

The ideal harvest time depends on the grower's strain, growing conditions, and personal preference.

Trimming, drying, curing, and storing are essential steps for improving and preserving the quality of marijuana buds.

Wet and dry trimming are two ways to remove excess leaves from the buds before or after drying.

Drying is the process of removing moisture from the buds to prevent mold and enhance flavor and potency.

Curing is the process of aging the buds in airtight containers to improve their aroma, taste, and smoothness.

Storing keeps the buds in cool and dark places to maintain their freshness and potency over time.

Introduction

Marijuana is a complex plant with hundreds of chemical compounds that give it unique effects and aroma. These compounds include cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, which are responsible for the psychoactive and therapeutic effects of marijuana; terpenes, which are responsible for the distinctive smell and taste of marijuana; and flavonoids, which are responsible for the color and antioxidant properties of marijuana.

These compounds are produced and stored in tiny structures called trichomes, which are found mainly on the flowers or buds of the plant. Trichomes are also known as resin glands or crystals because they secrete a sticky resin that coats the buds. The wax protects plants from pests, diseases, UV rays, and environmental stress.

As the plant matures, the trichomes change color and clarity, indicating their level of development and potency. The trichomes also influence the pistils' color or hairs that grow from the buds. The pistils start white or cream-colored and gradually turn orange, red, or brown as they are exposed to light and air.

The color and clarity of the trichomes and pistils are two leading indicators that growers use to determine when to harvest marijuana. However, other factors, such as strain type, growing conditions, and personal preference, affect the harvest time. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how these factors influence the harvest time and how to use different methods to assess it.

This article will explain how to use the pistil and trichome methods to determine when to harvest marijuana. We will also discuss how to trim, dry, cure, and store your buds after harvesting them. By following these steps, you can enjoy your homegrown cannabis with optimal quality and quantity.

Pistil Method

The pistil method is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to determine when to harvest marijuana. It is based on observing the color change of the pistils or hairs that grow from the buds. The pistils serve as reproductive organs for female cannabis plants. They catch pollen from male plants or from other female plants that have turned hermaphrodite due to stress.

The pistils start white or cream-colored when they emerge from the buds. As they mature, they change color to orange, red, or brown due to oxidation. The color change indicates that they have been pollinated or reached their peak development.

The pistil method relies on estimating what percentage of pistils have changed color on each bud. Generally speaking,

If less than 50% of pistils have changed color, the buds are still being prepared for harvest. They still have a lot of potential for growth and potency.

If 50% to 70% of pistils have changed color, the buds are ready for harvest for most strains. They have reached their maximum THC level and will produce a more cerebral and energetic high.

If 70% to 90% of pistils have changed color, the buds are past their peak THC level and will produce a more body and couch-lock high. They will also have more CBD and CBN, which are cannabinoids that have soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.

If more than 90% of pistils change color, the buds are overripe and lose potency and flavor. They will also be more prone to mold and pests.

The pistil method has some advantages and disadvantages. The benefits are that it is easy to use, requires no special tools, and works for most strains. The burden is that it needs to be more accurate, reliable, and consistent. The pistil color can be affected by environmental factors, such as light, temperature, humidity, and nutrients. The pistil color can also vary depending on the strain, the phenotype, and the individual plant. Therefore, the pistil method should be a general guideline rather than a definitive rule.

To use the pistil method effectively, you should follow these tips and tricks:

Check multiple buds from different parts of the plant, especially the top and the bottom. The top buds usually mature faster than the bottom buds because they receive more light and air. You can harvest the full buds first and leave the bottom buds for later to get a more even harvest.

Avoid touching or damaging the pistils when checking them. This can cause them to change color prematurely or falsely. Use a magnifying glass or a camera to get a closer look at them without touching them.

Compare the pistil method with other methods, such as trichome or strain information. The pistil method can give you a rough estimate of the harvest time, but it could be more precise and consistent. You should use other methods to confirm or adjust your calculation.

Trichome Method

The trichome method is one of the most accurate and precise ways to determine when to harvest marijuana. It is based on observing the color and clarity of the trichomes or resin glands that produce and store cannabinoids and terpenes on the buds. The trichomes are microscopic structures that look like mushrooms or crystals under magnification. They are also known as resin glands or crystals because they secrete a sticky resin that coats the buds.

The trichomes start clear and transparent when they emerge from the buds. As they mature, they change color to cloudy or milky white due to the accumulation of cannabinoids and terpenes. They switch to amber or brown as they age due to oxidation and degradation.

The trichomes' color and clarity indicate their development and potency level.

The trichomes also influence the aroma and effects of marijuana. Generally speaking,

If most trichomes are clear, the buds are not ready for harvest yet. They still have a lot of potential for growth and potency.

If most trichomes are cloudy, the buds are ready for harvest for most strains. They have reached their maximum THC level and will produce a more cerebral and energetic high. They will also have a more intense and complex aroma.

If some trichomes are amber, the buds are past their peak THC level and will produce a more body and couch-lock high. They will also have more CBD and CBN, which are cannabinoids that have soothing and anti-inflammatory effects. They will also have a more mellow and sweet aroma.

If most trichomes are amber, the buds are overripe and will lose potency and flavor. They will also be more prone to mold and pests.

The trichome method has some advantages and disadvantages. The benefits are that it is very accurate, reliable, and consistent. It reflects the actual development and potency of the trichomes rather than their appearance. It also allows you to customize your harvest time according to your preference and desired effects. The disadvantages are that it is more complex, requires special tools, and may not work for some strains.

To use the trichome method effectively, you need a magnifying device that can magnify at least 30x to 60x. You can utilize a jeweler's loupe, a microscope, or a digital camera with a macro lens. You should follow these tips and tricks:

Check different parts of the bud, especially the calyxes or swollen parts where the pistils emerge from. The calyxes usually have more trichomes than other parts of the bud. Avoid checking the leaves or stems because they have fewer trichomes and may give you a false reading.

Harvest in stages if you want different effects from your buds. You can harvest some buds when they are primarily cloudy for a more cerebral high, some buds when they have some amber for a more balanced high, and some buds when they are mainly amber for a more soothing high.

Adjust your harvest time according to strain type, growing conditions, and preference. Different strains have different ratios of cannabinoids and terpenes, affecting their effects and aroma.

Wet Trimming vs Dry Trimming

Trimming removes excess leaves from the buds after harvesting them. Trim improves the quality and appearance of the buds by exposing more trichomes, reducing moisture, and enhancing flavor and potency. Trimming also prevents mold, pests, and harshness by removing unwanted plant material.

There are two main ways to trim marijuana: wet and dry. Wet trimming is when you trim the buds right after harvesting and drying them. Dry trimming is when you cut the buds after drying them before curing them. Both methods have pros and cons, and their suitability depends on various factors.

Wet Trimming vs Dry Trimming

Wet Trimming

Wet trimming is the most common and traditional way to trim marijuana. It involves cutting down the branches, removing the large fan leaves, and trimming the small sugar leaves surrounding the buds. The trimmed buds are then hung or laid to dry in a suitable environment.

The advantages of wet trimming are:

Trimming wet buds is easier and faster than drying buds because the leaves are more rigid and stick out from the buds.

It reduces the risk of mold and pests by removing excess moisture and plant material from the buds.

It saves space and time by allowing you to dry smaller buds rather than whole branches.

It produces a cleaner and smoother smoke by removing more chlorophyll and other impurities from the buds.

The disadvantages of wet trimming are:

It requires more labor and attention because you must trim all the buds simultaneously rather than in batches.

It may reduce the flavor and potency of the buds by exposing more trichomes to light, air, and handling, which can cause oxidation and degradation.

It may affect the drying and curing by altering the humidity level and airflow around the buds.

To choose wet trimming, you should consider these factors:

The size of your harvest: If you have a large crop, wet trimming may be more convenient and efficient than dry trimming because it will save you space and time.

The humidity level: If you live in a humid area, wet trimming may be safer than dry trimming because it will prevent mold and pests from growing on your buds.

The available space: If you have limited space for drying your buds, wet trimming may be better than dry trimming because it will reduce the size of your buds.

Dry Trimming

Dry trimming is a newer and alternative way to trim marijuana. It involves cutting down the branches, hanging or laying them to dry with all the leaves intact, and decorating them after they are dry and crispy. The trimmed buds are then stored in airtight containers for curing.

The advantages of dry trimming are:

It preserves more flavor and potency of the buds by protecting more trichomes from light, air, and handling, which can cause oxidation and degradation.

It enhances the aroma and taste of the buds by allowing more terpenes and flavonoids to develop during drying.

It produces a more natural and organic look of the buds by retaining more shape and color of the leaves.

It allows more flexibility and control over the trimming process by letting you trim in batches rather than all at once.

The disadvantages of dry trimming are:

Trimming dry buds is more complex and slower than wet buds because the leaves are more brittle and tangled with the buds.

It increases the risk of mold and pests by retaining more moisture and plant material on the buds.

It requires more space and time by forcing you to dry whole branches rather than smaller buds.

To choose dry trimming, you should consider these factors:

The size of your harvest: If you have a small crop, dry trimming may be more feasible and rewarding than wet trimming because it will preserve the quality and quantity of your buds.

The humidity level: If you live in a dry area, dry trimming may be easier than wet trimming because it will speed up the drying process and prevent the overdrying of your buds.

The available space: If you have enough room for drying your buds, dry trimming may be preferable to wet trimming because it will produce a more natural and organic look for your buds.

How to Wet Trim Marijuana

Wet trimming is a simple but tedious process that requires some tools and skills. You will need scissors, gloves, trays, containers, hangers or racks, fans or dehumidifiers, hygrometers or humidity packs, labels or markers, paper towels or alcohol wipes, trash bags or compost bins, etc.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to wet-trim marijuana:

Cut down your branches from the plant using scissors or pruning shears. Cut them into manageable sizes that fit your trays or containers. Label them with strain name, harvest date, etc.
Remove the large fan leaves from your branches using your fingers or scissors. These are the leaves that have no trichomes on them. You can discard or save them for other uses, such as making tea, butter, or compost.
Trim the small sugar leaves from your buds using scissors. These are the leaves that have trichomes on them. You can trim them as close to the buds as possible or leave some for a more natural look. You can save them for making hash, oil, or edibles.
Store your trimmed buds in trays or containers until you can dry them. Do not pack them too tightly or stack them too high to avoid crushing or damaging them. Keep them in a cool, dark place away from light and heat sources.
Regularly clean your tools and work area to prevent resin buildup and contamination. Use paper towels or alcohol wipes to wipe your scissors and gloves. Use trash bags or compost bins to dispose of your trimmings.

Also, don't forget to read our previous article about How Does Weed Affect Sperm.

Best Time When To Harvest Marijuana