When and how to harvest cannabis plants?

Updated: December 5, 2021

When it comes to growing this interesting plant, harvesting cannabis is often the most exciting time. All our efforts are thus paying off for us the moment we decide to harvest. As everything revolves around the harvest, it is important to understand what is happening at the chemical level with cannabis plants. What should we consider when harvesting, to ensure the best crop? When do we need to harvest cannabis exactly?

There are several factors, but they differ in accuracy:

• Flowering time recommended by the educator (seed bank).
• Color of the furrow of the fistula (hair-like threads covering the navel).
• Trichome color.

The time recommended by the seed bank actually expresses the least precise fact when the cannabis ripens, making it suitable for harvest. Of course, it is necessary to take the seed bank's opinion into account. But be aware that this sometimes does not express the exact time of harvesting. Many times, the plants are not yet ready for harvest. Most of the time this time shift happens in outdoors. Or when the strain is not stable enough to have the firm trait of flowering time.

A more accurate factor in this is the observation of the pelvic furrow (stigma). So when does cannabis ripen? This can be seen by monitoring the change in the color of the furrow of the pistil from white to orange.

Observing the buds of the navel trichomes serves as the most accurate indicator of when cannabis is ripening or ready to harvest. So when it comes to harvest, the actual science, therefore, lies in the trichomes.

Determining the optimal harvest time for cannabis

We will need a microscope to observe the trichomes. Handheld microscopes with a magnification of 30x to 100x will give us a clear view of them and their color. We can buy them in all the grow shops with equipment for cultivation of plants. Using a microscope, the grower can observe the transformation of the plant until it reaches maximum potential or desired one.

At this stage, the color of the trichomes changes from transparent to opaque until it finally changes to amber. During this change, trichomes reach their highest THC content. And then begins to decompose due to oxygen and UV rays. This results in a cannabinoid called cannabinol (CBN).

Although cannabinol is the result of THC degradation, it has its own and unique set of benefits. Like other cannabinoids found in cannabis. Cannabinol is thought to help with insomnia and various inflammations, relieve pain with many other benefits. However, it has no psychoactive effects.

High levels of cannabinol are often associated with the term couch lock, which describes its highly sedative properties. THC, on the other hand, is very psychoactive. It can cause us to be more vigilant and have a stimulating effect on us. In addition, it offers us a range of health benefits. Whatever the benefits of cannabinol... Most cannabis growers try to prevent THC-containing trichomes from decomposing into cannabinol.

How to ensure highest THC content?

If you want to reap crops when these contain the highest levels of THC, it is best to start observing the furrow of the pestle. When a part of a plant called stigmata (two small hairs) begins to change color, it is a good time to start observing trichomes with the help of a microscope. Transparent trichomes should be found to indicate that the buds are young and still developing. From this point on, it is good (and also fun) to begin our daily trichome observation. It is good practice to look at the different locations of buds on plants. Remember, the upper buds of cannabis can become mature faster than the lower ones.

In the end, there will be a change in the color of the trichomes, the translucent color will turn into an opaque white color, which is an indication of full maturity. From this point on THC is no longer producing. Unfortunately, not all trichomes develop as quickly, so we will first notice some that are amber in color, before those that are consistently opaque will prevail. When the characteristic amber color appears, cannabinol begins to develop as a result of the breakdown of THC. We can now assume that the maximum concentration of THC is reached. Our plants are now safe to harvest.

If we have time, it is recommended to observe less developed buds located lower on the plants. Thus, the harvesting process can be divided into two parts. Such distribution allows us to continue developing the lower parts of the cannabis after the crop tops have been harvested. This helps to increase the quality and profitability of the buds.

Differing views on when cannabis matures

It is important to emphasize that each grower has a different opinion on when cannabis matures or when is the right time to harvest cannabis plants. Some like to harvest the crop sooner. Other prefer it later. so understanding cannabis botany is very helpful. Cannabis cultivation is a continuous learning process. The harvest may occur sooner or later, depending on the development of the trichomes. Because of this variable, the cultivation of cannabis plants of the same varieties that share the same genetics is encouraged for more than one harvest.

If we want to explore the benefits of cannabinol but do not want to reduce the THC content of our plants, we have other options. Unfortunately, cannabinoid-containing products are difficult to track down. It is also ironic that for the purpose of exploring the benefits of cannabinol, we can simply consume cannabis that has been stored incorrectly or harvested relatively late.

Do you want to learn
more about marijuana?

Check out our cannabis education section, where you can read everything from common knowledge to advanced growing cannabis techniques.

Learn more!

Join us

Join our insiders club for monthly motivation, news and presales. We are not going to spam your email box. We are going to send one or two emails per month. We promise they will be valuable.

You may also like

April 2, 2018
Consuming Cannabis: Positive Effects on The Brain

What effects should we expect after consuming cannabis? Especially, what are the effects on the brain? Probably, many stoners have already thought about this. For this reason, High Thoughts team did a research. Rather than concentrating on negative aspects, we have dug out the positive effects. Take a look at High Thoughts rundown: 1. Better Stress […]

Read More
December 17, 2019
Reggae music in Balkans countries

Many reggae music lovers can now be found in the Balkans. Every now and then we hear it on national television, radio, festivals and local clubs and restaurants. The fact is that the demand for Jamaican music began with the arrival of the first records of Afro-Caribbean music in the Balkan capitals in the late […]

Read More
August 2, 2018
Stoners Jobs: The Best Careers for Everyday Smokers

What job is the best one for a stoner? That’s probably something that stoners all around the world are wondering. It’s true, that you can do any job, although you like to light it up. Nevertheless, not every profession seems to be ideal for the everyday smoker. Therefore, we gathered some stoner jobs that all […]

Read More
January 9, 2020
Cannabis cup 2020

We wish every one happy and successful 2020. Because it is the new year, we definetly need cannabis cup! We have not been on one since last year. So where is the next cannabis cup and should you go (that is not even really a question - ofcourse you should go!). The Bright Side Festival […]

Read More
1 2 3 17

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin