Harvesting, trimming, curing

Harvesting cannabis is a crucial step to ensure you get the most out of your plants. Here's a detailed guide on how to harvest cannabis properly:

Preparation

  1. Tools and materials:
    • Sharp garden shears or trimmer
    • A clean work area
    • Gloves (optional)
    • Hanging options (e.g. clotheslines or drying racks)
    • Containers for waste materials
  2. Determine harvest time:
    • Check the trichomes with a microscope or magnifying glass.
    • Make sure that about 70-90% of the trichomes are milky and 10-30% are amber.
    • Observe the pistils; if 70-90% are brown or orange, this is a good indicator.

Step-by-step harvesting guide

  1. Preparing plants:
    • Make sure your plants have only received pH-adjusted water without additional nutrients (flushing) for the last two weeks before harvest.
  2. Cutting the plants:
    • Cut the plant at the base, close to the ground.
    • Alternatively, you can also cut individual branches to make them easier to handle.
  3. Rough trimming:
    • Remove the large fan leaves (the large leaves without resin glands).
    • This makes subsequent fine trimming easier and improves air circulation during drying.
  4. Hang to dry:
    • Hang the cut plants or branches upside down on a clothesline or drying rack in a dark, well-ventilated room.
    • Keep the temperature around 18-22°C and the relative humidity at 45-55%.
  5. Drying process:
    • Let the plants dry for 7-14 days until the branches break easily when bent.
    • Check regularly for mold growth and remove affected parts immediately.

Fine trimming

  1. Fine trimming:
    • After drying, remove the plants from the rack and begin fine-trimming.
    • Remove all small leaves (sugar leaves) that have few or no resin glands.
    • Use sharp scissors and work carefully to avoid damaging the flowers.
  2. Collect trimmings:
    • The cut sugar leaves can be collected and later used to make concentrates or edibles.

Curing

  1. Prepare glasses:
    • Use airtight glass containers (e.g. mason jars) for the curing process.
  2. Fill with flowers:
    • Fill the trimmed flowers loosely into the jars without compressing them too much.
  3. Ventilate:
    • Open the jars daily for about 15-30 minutes for the first two weeks to let in fresh air and allow excess moisture to escape.
  4. Surveillance:
    • Check regularly for signs of mold or excessive moisture.
    • After the first two weeks, you can reduce airing to every few days.
  5. Curing time:
    • The curing process should last at least 2-4 weeks, but can be continued for several months to further improve flavor and potency.

Conclusion

Harvesting cannabis requires careful planning and attention to detail to ensure you get high-quality buds. By following these steps—from timing the harvest to trimming, drying, and curing—you can unlock your plants' full potential.