After a long and bountiful season of cultivating cannabis, your plants are ready for harvest! How do you tell when your cannabis is done growing? There are various factors to look for in your crop that indicate it’s time for harvesting – but especially for cannabis plants, finding the ideal moment to harvest is crucial to the final profile and quality of your bud.
Let’s explore the factors of the plant that can help you tell when your cannabis is done growing. But first, there are a few key pieces of harvest equipment you’ll need to make the most out of these tips – a jeweler’s loupe or magnifying glass, gloves for careful handling, plant shears for trimming, and the cannabis plant itself!
Observing the Pistils
One of the best indicators of how to tell when your cannabis is done growing is the color and condition of the pistils. These are the small hair-like structures on the buds that serve as the reproductive parts of male and female cannabis plants – catching and collecting pollen to eventually develop into seeds.
During the flowering stage, these pistils start out white in color. As the plant matures, they will slowly transition to orange or brown. By harvest time, around 70-90% of the pistils should have changed to a more amber-brown or orange color.
If you’re examining the plant’s pistils and most of them are still white, the plant likely needs more time.
Checking the Trichomes
Trichomes are the tiny, crystal-like structures that develop on the sticky bud of the flower. Throughout the period you’re growing cannabis, pay close attention to the trichomes – you’ll see them shift from clear to cloudy over time. These tiny glands hold all the potent cannabinoids, like THC or CBD, that bring the full-spectrum goodness to cannabis.
Through a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loup, if you begin to notice these trichomes shifting from cloudy to amber colored, it’s a sign of them being mature and indicating it’s time to harvest. Finding this sweet spot on when to harvest your plants based on trichome maturity ensures the highest potency and desired effects from your plant.
Identifying Leaf Discoloration
Another clue for knowing when your cannabis is done growing is the overall appearance of the plant. When the plant is in its final growth stage, certain larger leaves will begin to change. The plant is now redirecting its energy to the buds – so the larger leaves, known as fan leaves, will turn yellow and wilt.
It’s important to remember that fan leaves can turn yellow at an earlier phase of the plant cycle, not just at the time they’re ready for harvest. Yellow leafing is a process that often begins early on in the flowering stage, when the fan leaves at the bottom of the plants are pruned because they don’t often reach the same amount of sunlight as the top fan leaves.
Don’t let yellow leaves be the only indicator to knowing when your cannabis is ready to harvest – think about the trichome maturity and pistil color on the buds, too.
More Tips for Harvesting Cannabis
Aside from the traditional light, water, and nutrients required for cannabis plants to grow – your plants also require a careful eye and attention to detail. No matter the stage of cultivation, there are plenty of tips and tricks to keep in mind for a successful yield.
Here are some tips on harvesting cannabis from Stem Haverhill dispensary:
Monitor Your Humidity Levels
If you’re regulating the environment of an indoor or greenhouse grow, lower the humidity (around 40-50%) to prevent any potential of mold and mildew, which can ruin your harvest almost immediately. High humidity can increase moisture levels and the risk of bud rot, but too-low humidity can stress the plant and reduce resin production. A balanced humidity level ensures that the plant matures at the proper rate and develops high-quality, mold resistant buds.
Why Morning Harvests Can Make a Difference
Many growers prefer to harvest cannabis in the morning since it can help preserve more of the plant’s terpene profile. Terpenes are extremely delicate and volatile, so harvesting your cannabis plants during early morning hours means protecting your plants from daytime harvesting outdoors when sunlight is at its peak.
Autoflower Cannabis Seeds
Autoflower cannabis seeds are genetically bred to switch out of the vegetative stage and have a sped up flowering process, regardless of the light cycle. This makes autoflower cannabis plants ready in about 8-10 weeks.
Keep a Cultivation Journal
A journal that reports the progress of your cultivation is an invaluable resource for any level of grower. Journaling the plant’s progress, from seed to harvest, can help you fine-tune your cultivation technique and improve future processes.
Cannabis Cultivation Education at Stem Haverhill Dispensary
Cannabis cultivation is a unique and beautiful art, requiring careful attention to detail and care at every step of the process. The answer for when to harvest your plants is almost as complex as cannabis itself – although there’s no true single answer on the right harvesting time, there are many helpful hints to help give you a comprehensive idea. Check out the color of the trichomes and pistils and observe any yellow leaves to help you determine when to harvest your cannabis plants.
Be sure to journal and track any sights or findings you have throughout this part of your cultivation experience. Read through our Blog page for more tips and tricks on cannabis consumption & cultivation!
Ready to explore a variety of cannabis flower and products fit for any occasion? Visit Stem Haverhill for a wide selection of strains, expertly grown by top cultivators and cannabis brands in Massachusetts. We’re here to help curate your cannabis experience just for you!
*The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.*