(Seth Shaler)
It can be challenging to grow cannabis in northern Oregon, particularly around harvest. For outdoor producers, Portland’s environment is a mixed bag. On the one hand, our summers are hot and dry. The sun doesn’t stay out long enough to dry the dew off your plants during the quick-approaching autumn, which brings with it cold, damp days that put them at risk of mold. In an effort to fully exploit the 2015 legislation, WW has cultivated marijuana on our office’s roof for the past three years. It’s been a challenging year. To cut a long story short, we lost every plant we had at first.
Our lone productive plant, Dogwalker, is in a typical Portland bind as we go into harvest season: the plant still has a few weeks until it is fully in bloom and prepared for harvest, yet with the damp weather, Dogwalker is in a climate where it doesn’t belong. We can only pray that bud rot won’t destroy our harvest while keeping it warm and covered.
The greatest approach to guarantee a trouble-free harvest season, according to Toby Feuer, a local farmer for Five Zero Trees, is light deprivation. In essence, he deceives the plant into believing that summer is ending early by reducing its exposure to sunlight in the middle of the season.
Feuer informs us that “naturally, your plants begin flowering in August.” “However, in Oregon, you should use light deprivation to hasten the flowering of your plants. This is a strategy to guarantee that you avoid the late-September rains.”
What is the main issue with lack of light? You’re out of luck if you didn’t begin this process three months ago.
Feuer recommends “gutting” your plant. Gutting entails removing the plant’s lowest leaves. More energy can be sent toward the buds thanks to this, and more significantly, it encourages ventilation to keep your plant as dry as possible.
Paying close attention to your plant’s growth cycle is another way to assist prevent you from falling victim to this nightmare of uncertainty. Counting from the first day can help you determine when harvest time is approaching.
You can avoid the hassle of making educated assumptions about when your plant will be ready to chop by knowing what week it is in.
When cultivating cannabis, timing your harvest is really important. Early harvesting causes premature buds, which results in a subpar product and a lower yield. If you harvest your marijuana too late, it loses a lot of its potency or starts to decay.
We had a conversation with Stoney Girl, a representative of the esteemed cannabis training facility Portlandsterdam University. She attests to the need of timely bud harvesting. The THC “starts to breakdown into CBN…[which] leads to a more tranquil high” if you’re running late, according to Stoney Girl.
When the plant’s hairs, or pistils, have fully darkened and curled in, it is time to harvest the weed. It’s not time yet if your buds appear packed and full but still contain a few straight white pistils.
Thoughts on the best time to harvest differ. Stoney Girl advises harvesting your buds while the pistils are still changing color.
“The highest percentage is 40%. You’ll reach the top of your strain’s output at that point “She spoke.
The best way to determine when a plant is ready to be harvested, according to Feuer, is with a microscope or a high-quality close-up photo. “The transition from clear to amber in the trichome heads should be observed. If you only have your naked sight, the second method is to observe when 80% of the hairs have changed color from white to red.”
You might lean one way or the other, or you might like something in between. Many people think that the timing of harvest affects the bud’s effects. Our pistils are about 50% transformed on the roof of WW, and we want to harvest as soon as possible to avoid bud rot.
Before I harvest my plants, when should I chop them?
A few weeks prior to harvest, trimming at home starts with the removal of the bigger leaves. Before harvest, producers typically clip the fan leaves since this triggers senescence, the stage of the plant cycle when the bigger leaves begin to deteriorate.
It is safe to begin pulling up these dead leaves and keep going till harvest. But following harvest, the primary trimming procedures start. Currently, some industrial producers like cutting the leaves either utilizing the wet-trimming or dry-trimming methods.
- After harvest, using the wet-trimming method, you clip your marijuana. The leaves are moist and saturated at this time, making it simpler and more effective. Simply harvest from the stock with numerous branches to employ this method. To access the larger leaves’ stems, flip the branches that have previously been harvested upside-down. The largest leaves can then be removed with your pruning scissors so that you can compost the remaining leaves. After that, shape the buds with your manicure scissors or, for increased efficiency, use one of our trimming machines. Finally, let them dry in a cool, dark place where the temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to save all the bigger leaves and sugar leaves that you trim off of your buds since they can be utilized to make edibles and bubble hash.
- Technique for dry trimming: This approach is ideal for those who utilize cannabis machine trimmers or live in a dry climate. The technique is letting the harvested plant’s bigger leaves slowly dry for 4 to 10 days. Simply put the bud in an airtight container after clipping to start the curing process. Even while it takes longer, this method results in a smoother and more flavorful experience.
There are a few pieces of home gardening equipment for sale that can be helpful in this process, so as a grower, you don’t have to spend a lot of money just to get your plant trimmed. Some of this gear consists of:
- a trimmer for marijuana
- nail-cutting shears
- Using gardening shears to cut the plant down
- a tidy tray
- To reduce cross-contamination, use disposable gloves.
- Spread your budget with a clothing line
- a cozy chair and a great music collection for your comfort.
Here are some pointers to assist you maximize the yield from your cannabis plants.
- Utilize high-quality tools: Invest in high-quality products, whether it’s the Home Grow Pro (for use at home) or an industrial device like our best-selling T4 Trimmer or mani/pedi scissors.
- Remember to save your trimmings since those big, sugary leaves still contain a healthy amount of cannabinoids. To preserve them for medicine and food is crucial.
- Additionally, keep your trimmings in an airtight container to facilitate automatic curing when storing your buds.
- It’s crucial to remove anything that isn’t covered in trichomes in order to create a smooth surface all around your bud.
Finally, as a grower, it is up to you to determine the best time to trim your cannabis. No matter what time you decide, keep in mind that this is a crucial phase in the development of your plant. Your marijuana will look more uniform and be more potent, but the harshness of the smoke will be lessened.
Before harvesting, should I let my plants dry out?
Watering is crucial when a plant is in bloom. Irrigate regularly as necessary. To prevent overwatering, be sure to check the soil moisture every day. Irrigate first thing in the morning to ensure that most of the water is consumed over the day. Roots that are wet at night will significantly inhibit growth.
Watering is important when plants are flowering. Continue regular irrigation as needed. Make sure to check the soil moisture daily to avoid overwatering. Always irrigate in the morning so that the majority of water is used during the day. Soggy roots at night will slow growth substantially.
One to two days before harvest, stop watering. However, the soil shouldn’t be so dry that plants begin to droop. This will shorten drying time by a day or more without compromising the terpene and cannabinoid quality.
Prior to, during, and following harvest, the aroma of blossoming medicinal cannabis is frequently overpowering. Odors persist and build up in stagnant air in and near drying and manicure rooms. Maintain good ventilation in the drying and manicure rooms to aid with smell management. If at all possible, let a lot of fresh air circulate through the drying chamber to swiftly eliminate odors. To reduce scent, keep temperatures below 21 C.
The substances in cannabis known as terpenes or terpenoids are what give the plant its distinct scent. The potent aroma of marijuana is dependent on which terpenes are predominant because THC and the other cannabinoids have no smell. Terpenoids and THC work together to give each strain of marijuana a distinctive intoxicating flavor. Lee Martin
The mixture of terpenes and cannabinoids in cannabis smoke determines its scent, flavor, and final effects. During flowering harvest and storage, cannabinoids and terpenes frequently volatilize and are damaged as a result of high temperatures and mistreatment. The fragrance and flavor are lessened when these components are absent. It may also have an impact on the overall impact of cannabis.
For a variety of causes, including the breakdown of terpenes or the production of an unfavorable environment for terpene development, cannabis plants lose their scent. Plants that are exposed to harsh weather conditions during flowering, such as wind, rain, bright sunlight, or artificial light, are frequently less fragrant. Additionally, surface dust, germs, and other undesirables collect on outside plants. These contaminants can smell and perhaps hasten the decomposition of terpenes and cannabinoids when left on the plant. Frequently, interior air quality is worse than outdoor air quality. These contaminants could also contribute to the loss of fragrance.
Between 119 and 435 °C, terpenes and cannabinoids vaporize into the atmosphere. More and more terpenes evaporate into the air as the temperature rises. High temperatures, humid conditions, wind, rain, fondling, and physical handling can also degrade terpenes. Additionally, plants that grow in stressful environments due to a variety of factors such as climate, care, disease, and pest infestations may not have a chance to develop the terpinoids adequately.
To encourage trimmed flower buds to dry, there needs to be ample air movement and ventilation. To ensure equal drying, the buds in these net trays are manually turned one or twice a day.
Cannabis that dries too quickly and in a high temperature can lose its aroma. Chlorophyll and other contaminants do not disperse quickly enough and linger in the leaves as a result. When eaten, the residual flavors and aromas of these harmful substances leave behind recognizable tastes and odors.
Cannabis begins to decompose anaerobically when it is improperly dried and remains overly wet, much like in a compost pile. In severe circumstances, this technique can make cannabis smell like wet hay or even ammonia.
The tissue of plants may contain powdery mildew or another disease. Without laboratory testing, it is impossible to diagnose this illness. Such ailments weaken plants and may contribute to the loss of aroma.
A fantastic approach to dry medical cannabis flower buds is to hang entire branches. These branches have recently been cut. The buds have been softly pruned, and the big leaves have been removed.
When cannabis foliage is harvested, bacteria, dead tiny bugs and their droppings, dust, and many other contaminants are still visible on the surface. Additionally, some factors might impact fragrance. Remove and sterilize plants by washing harvested cannabis in an H2O2 bath that has been diluted. Fresh plants smell good. All that’s left is the smell of cannabis.
Some plants seem to be genetically inclined to losing scent and diminishing aroma over time. Genetics might contribute to reducing cannabis scent in conjunction with climate factors.
Negative ion generators only affect a small region and have little to no effect on the aroma of cannabis plants. Ozone generators introduce ozone (O3) as a free radical into a closed space. Within a few minutes, the O3 transforms into O2. Before air is released outside, carbon filters eliminate odors.
The drying and manicure rooms can be sealed to reduce the smell of cannabis. Before venting the air outside, install a carbon filter and fan in the area to eliminate odors.
5-7 days before harvest, thoroughly leach the soil. Any fertilizer salts that have collected in the soil will be flushed out by leaching. This enables the plant to utilize the equilibrium of nutrients in its body prior to harvest.
By flushing any residues and chemicals that have accumulated in soil or plant foliage with plain water or a clearing solution, it is possible to prevent the taste of chemical and organic fertilizers from transferring to harvested buds. Leach the growing medium with clean tap water or reverse osmosis water five to six days prior to harvest. For the purpose of clearing out any accumulated nutrients in soil, use a clearing agent like Final Flush.
Up to two or three days prior to harvest, some indoor gardeners fertilize with a liquid salt-based fertilizer and apply a clearing solution to get rid of fertilizer leftovers. According to them, this approach aids plants in keeping weight in flower buds. However, it has little effect on how quickly buds grow, and plant tissue still contains traces of fertilizer. In exchange for weight-adding, fertilizer sacrifices medicinal quality.
Follow the instructions when using the leaching solution. Always allow at least 10%, ideally more, of the liquid to drain out of the bottom of the containers. After the first four to six days of application, replace the water if you’re using a hydroponic system with recirculation. Fill the reservoir to the top with “clear, fresh water.”
1. Leaf margins and tips burn
2. When harvested, leaves are fragile.
3. Chemical odors emanate from flower buds.
4. When burning, flower buds crackle
5. Buds have fertilizer-like flavor.
One to two days before harvest, stop watering. However, the soil shouldn’t be so dry that plants begin to droop. This won’t degrade the quality of the cannabis and will shorten drying time by a day or more.
Utilize a UVB or green light to inspect plants at night. It is possible to see powdery mildew, bug droppings, and their trails; in fact, they pounce out at you as if you were reading an eye chart in the optometrist’s chair. Before powdery mildew gets inside plant tissue, take care to eradicate all traces of it. Before eliminating fungus, spray it with an organic fungistat to prevent contamination of the remaining crop. This technique only functions when there is little any mildew.
Before harvesting, some gardeners give their plants 24 to 48 hours of darkness. They claim that this procedure makes buds more resinous.