How to properly harvest, dry, and store hemp?
If cannabis is not properly harvested, dried, and stored, a range of issues can arise. Although harvesting and drying methods may slightly differ among growers, there are several tips and best practices. In this article, you will learn how to harvest cannabis plants, how to dry buds, when to harvest, and how to store cannabis. Avoid common mistakes and enjoy a bountiful harvest. Understanding proper harvesting, drying, and storage techniques will help you achieve the best results.
Harvest
Harvesting is a critical point in cannabis cultivation. The first step in harvesting your cannabis plants is to determine when they are ripe and ready for collection. It often happens that beginners rush and try to harvest plants too early. However, the plant itself provides signals that precisely indicate when it is ready for harvest.
How to recognize when the plant is ready for harvest?
Once the plant completes its growth cycle, many physical changes occur. The following changes indicate when it is time to harvest:
-
Color change of fan leaves: A mere change in fan leaf color is not enough to determine harvest readiness, but it is the first sign that harvest is approaching. When fan leaves start changing color, pay attention to other visible indicators.
-
Bud appearance: While bud size, shape, and overall appearance are not entirely reliable methods for assessing harvest readiness, they can be helpful. Mature buds are typically firm and compact. If buds look limp, it may indicate that it is too early to harvest.
-
Trichome color: The appearance of trichomes is one of the most reliable ways to determine harvest time. Harvest time usually occurs when trichomes are milky white with a few having an amber color. If trichomes are still transparent, it is too early to harvest. Of all observed signs, trichome color is the most reliable.