The best flavor, strongest potency, and biggest effect can be destroyed if mistakes are made when harvesting and curing cannabis. However, new growers do not have to worry that they’ll make major mistakes that can cost them their crop. Instead, follow these directions to make sure the marijuana is harvested and cured the right way.
Start With High-Quality Seeds to Grow More
It’s crucial to start by getting high-quality seeds, as this will make it more likely that the plant will grow properly and produce a larger crop. When choosing marijuana seeds, select carefully to get the desired flavor and impact. There are tons of strains to choose from today, so pick out a few to try first. For beginners, it may be a good idea to opt for autoflowering seeds to make the growing process easier.
Know When It’s Time to Harvest
Pay attention to the plants as the buds start to grow to know when to harvest them. It’s possible to check the trichomes or pistils to see if it’s time to harvest. If the trichomes are clear, it’s too early. If they’re milky or cloudy, it’s the best time to harvest for peak THC, but if they’re amber, the plant will have higher CBN and a more sedative effect. The pistils are the tiny hairs on the buds. If they’re around 70 to 90% darkened and curled in, it’s time to harvest.
How to Harvest
Harvesting can be done in different ways, depending on the grower’s preferences. It’s possible to cut the whole plant and hang it to try, trim branch by branch, or bud by bud. Trimming is more precise when done bud by bud, but it is more labor-intensive. Trimming can also be done wet or dry. A wet trim is done right after harvest and allows for faster drying. A dry trim is done after the plant has dried and is slower, but can help preserve terpenes better.
How to Dry and Cure
It is important to make sure the conditions are ideal so the plant dries as quickly as possible and the components are preserved as much as possible. It’s a good idea to hang the plants in a dark room with good ventilation, with an ideal temperature of around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity around 50 to 60%. Buds are ready when the stems snap instead of bend. Once dry, it can be cured in a jar for at least two to four weeks, though eight or more weeks is ideal.
Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid major mistakes like trying to rush the process or skipping curing the plant, as this can undermine all the work done to grow the plants. Also, avoid over-drying the plants, as they can become crumbly and lose terpenes and flavor. Always make sure the plants are stored properly, as improper storage can cause major issues like mold growth, which will ruin the crop and mean starting over again with new plants.
If you’re growing marijuana for the first time, make sure you start with high-quality seeds so you’ll get the best harvest possible. Once the plant is done growing and the buds have appeared, use the information here to harvest and cure the crop so you can enjoy the best possible results.
