Harvesting and Curing Cannabis
Harvesting and curing cannabis is a crucial part of the cultivation process. Whether you are a home grower or cultivating on a larger scale, understanding how to properly harvest and cure your cannabis plants can significantly affect the quality of the final product. This guide will walk you through the steps of knowing when your plant is ready for harvest, the harvesting techniques, the drying process, and the curing process to ensure you have high-quality cannabis.
When is Your Plant Ready for Harvest?
The first step in the harvesting process is knowing when your cannabis plant is ripe enough to be harvested. There are several signs to look out for that indicate your plant is ready for harvest.
Signs of Readiness
Trichome Colour: The best way to determine if your cannabis is ready for harvest is by looking at the trichomes. These tiny resin glands on your buds change colour as the plant matures.
Clear Trichomes: Not ready yet. They should be glassy and transparent.
Cloudy Trichomes: This indicates peak potency. Most growers prefer to harvest when the majority of the trichomes are cloudy.
Amber Trichomes: If you see a lot of amber trichomes, it indicates that the THC is gradually converting into CBN, which can produce a more relaxing effect.
Pistil Colour: The pistils, or “hairs,” on the buds also change colour as they mature.
White Pistils: This means the plant is still maturing.
Orange/Brown Pistils: Most of the pistils should turn dark and start to curl in. This is another signal that your plant is ready for harvest.
Flowering Time: Depending on the strain, the flowering period can range from 6 to 12 weeks. Knowing the flowering time for your specific strain can help narrow down when to check for the above indicators.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Harvest Cannabis
Once you have determined that your plant is ready for harvest, it is time to get to work. Harvesting cannabis involves several steps that require care to maximise the quality of your harvested product.
1. Gather Your Tools
Before you begin harvesting, make sure you have the following tools on hand:
Pruning Shears or Scissors: Sharp tools are best for making clean cuts.
Trim Trays: To collect fallen leaves and buds during the trimming process.
Gloves: Wearing gloves can help prevent contamination of the buds and keep your hands clean.
2. Cut the Plants
You can choose to harvest your cannabis either by cutting down the entire plant or cutting individual branches off.
Whole Plant Harvest: This method involves cutting the plant at the base. It allows you to dry the whole plant, which some growers prefer.
Branch-by-Branch Harvest: If your plants are large or if your drying area is limited, you might prefer to cut off individual branches. This method allows for easier handling during the drying process.
3. Remove Excess Foliage
After cutting the stems, remove any excess fan leaves. These are the large leaves that can obstruct airflow and retain moisture. Removing them helps the buds dry more evenly and reduces the risk of mould.
4. The Drying Process
Now that you’ve harvested your cannabis, it’s essential to move on to the drying process. Proper drying is crucial in preserving terpenes and cannabinoids, which give your cannabis its unique flavour and effects.
5. Setting Up a Drying Room
Choose a Cool, Dark Place: The ideal environment for drying cannabis should be cool (around 60-70°F) and dark to prevent light degradation of cannabinoids.
Humidity Levels: Aim for a relative humidity of around 50%. This will help avoid excessive moisture that can lead to mould growth. A hygrometer can help monitor these levels.
Air Circulation: Good air circulation is vital in the drying room to prevent mould. You can use fans to keep the air moving, but avoid blowing air directly onto the buds.
Click here to learn more about the Cannabis Plant Care and Growth Stages
Cannabis Drying Methods
Hanging Dry Method: This involves hanging the cannabis branches upside down from a line or rack. Make sure they are spaced apart to allow good airflow around each bud.
Drying Rack Method: Using a drying rack allows you to lay buds flat, promoting even drying. Be sure not to stack too much product on top of each other.
Trimming Cannabis: You can choose to wet trim or dry trim.
Wet Trimming: This method involves trimming the leaves off your buds immediately after the harvest. This keeps the leaves moist, making them easier to remove.
Dry Trimming: With dry trimming, you allow the buds to dry first before removing the leaves. This method can preserve the flavour and aroma better, as the leaves protect the buds.
Monitor the Drying Process
Check on your drying cannabis regularly. Properly dried cannabis should take about 7 to 14 days to dry. You’ll know it’s done when the stems snap rather than bend, and the buds feel dry but not crumbly.
The Curing Process
Once your cannabis has been dried, the next crucial step is curing. Curing is the process of storing dried cannabis in a controlled environment to enhance its flavour and potency.
How to Cure Cannabis
Use Mason Jars: After drying, place your buds in clean, airtight mason jars. Fill them about ¾ full to allow some airspace for circulation.
Humidity Control: The ideal humidity level during curing should be around 58% to 62%. If you find that your buds feel too moist, leave the jars open for a few hours to release moisture.
Burp the Jars: For the first week, ‘burp’ the jars daily by opening them for 10-15 minutes. This process allows fresh air in and helps release any accumulating moisture, preventing mould.
Storage: Store the jars in a cool, dark place. Properly curing your cannabis can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. The longer you cure, the better the flavour and potency usually become.
Benefits of Curing Cannabis
Curing your cannabis enhances its flavour, aroma, and overall quality. During the curing process, the harsh chlorophyll breaks down, which leads to a smoother smoke. Proper curing also stabilises the potency of cannabinoids, keeping your cannabis fresher for longer. Additionally, curing allows complex terpenes and cannabinoids to fully develop, contributing to a more robust and enjoyable experience.
Storing Cannabis
Once you have successfully harvested and cured your cannabis, proper storage becomes essential to maintain its quality.
Ideal Storage Conditions: Store your jars in a dark place at a stable temperature (ideally between 60-70°F) and humidity. Too much light, heat, or moisture can significantly degrade your cannabis quality.
Use of Humidity Packs: Consider using humidity packs inside your jars to maintain the proper moisture levels. These packs release or absorb moisture as needed, ensuring your cannabis stays fresh.
Avoid Plastic: It’s best to avoid storing cannabis in plastic. Glass containers are preferred, as they are airtight and won’t attract moisture like plastic can. Glass mason jars work excellently for this purpose.
Ageing and Quality: Remember that, like wine, cannabis can improve over time when stored properly. However, it’s essential to keep an eye on the condition of your stash to avoid loss of flavour or potency. Regularly check the buds for any signs of mould or degradation after long periods of storage.
Labelling: Clearly label your jars with strain name and date of harvest. This practice helps you keep track of different strains and their respective curing times.
Conclusion
Harvesting and curing cannabis can greatly impact the quality of your final product. By understanding when to harvest, how to properly dry and cure your cannabis buds, and the best storage methods, you can ensure that your cannabis is flavorful, potent, and enjoyable to use. Taking the time to follow these steps with care will help maximise the benefits of your hard work throughout the growing season.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced grower, implementing these techniques will lead to better results and a rewarding cannabis experience. Enjoy the journey from planting to harvesting, savour the fruits of your labour with confidence, and remember that patience in the process makes all the difference.
As you continue to cultivate and refine your growing techniques, consider experimenting with different strains and methods to enhance your skills. Each harvest offers an opportunity to learn and improve, leading to increasingly satisfying results over time. Welcome to the world of cannabis cultivation—where knowledge, care, and passion can transform a simple plant into an extraordinary experience.
