The best way to determine when to harvest your cannabis crop is to use a magnifying glass or microscope to examine the trichomes on the buds. Trichomes are the tiny, hair-like structures that cover the surface of the buds and contain the majority of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes.
When the trichomes are clear, the plant is still maturing and not yet ready to harvest. When they turn amber or brown, it means the plant is starting to degrade and the buds are past their prime.
Aside from this, what are other indications that cannabis is ripe for harvesting? Find out in this article.
Amber Hairs
The amber hairs on a plant are a sign that the plant is ripe and ready to be harvested. If you see this happening, it is a good indication that you should start cutting down the plant.
Bud Taste
If you’re not sure if your cannabis is ready to harvest, you can always try it. Just make sure to sample a tiny bit, as the buds will not be as potent as they will be when fully mature. Harvesting your plants early will still allow you to use them, though the potency and yield won’t be as great as if you waited longer.
Leaf Colour
When looking at the leaves to determine if a plant is ready for harvest, you want to see if the leaves are deep green or if they are starting to yellow and die off. If the leaves are deep green, the plant is in the early stages of flowering. When you see your plant’s leaves turning yellow and falling off, it’s a sign that your plant is focusing its energy on developing buds rather than leaves. This is perfectly normal and means that harvest time is approaching.
Pistils
The colour of the pistils is a helpful indicator of ripeness in cannabis plants. When the plant is in its early flowering stage, the pistils are white or green. But as the plant matures, the pistils turn red, brown, or orange. Different strains of cannabis have different flowering times. Indica strains usually flower faster than sativas. Make sure to research the strain you are growing before deciding when to harvest.
Roots
To check the status of your plant’s roots, simply pull back some of the soil around the base of the plant. If the roots are white and healthy, then your plant is still young and not ready for harvest. However, if the roots are brown and dying, your plant is mature and ready to be harvested.
Stalk
To check the stalk of your plant, simply bend it gently between your fingers. If it snaps easily, then it’s time to harvest your crop. The best time to gather your cannabis crops may vary depending on the strain you are growing.
Conclusion
When growing cannabis, it’s important to know when to harvest your crop. The best way to determine this is to monitor the trichomes and pistils on your plants closely. You should reap when the trichomes are at the desired level of ripeness and the pistils point inwards. If you’re ever unsure, it’s better to harvest a bit early than to wait too long.
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