When you have been diligently and conscientiously growing cannabis for several months, and no longer worry about "yellowing leaves", "drooping leaves" or "diseases and pests", you finally welcome the harvest time with great anticipation.
As a result, you can't wait to harvest the cannabis before it reaches its best condition. When using it, you always feel that something is missing. Is it because you expect too much or harvest too early? There is a sense of discomfort in your heart.
So, how to judge whether it is the best time to harvest cannabis?
You can judge it based on a key indicator: trichomes.
What are trichomes?
Trichomes are small glands on the top of cannabis flowers, which look like frost flowers covering the flowers.
These little guys are the essence of the cannabis plant. They are the main parts that produce and store chemicals such as cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD) and terpenes, which determine the potency, taste and aroma of cannabis.
So, how to judge the harvest time by trichomes?
You have to prepare a magnifying glass first, 30 times, 60 times, or even 90 times. Of course, it is best to choose a 60x magnifying glass with an LED light. At the very least, you should use a 30x magnifying glass.
Next, take your magnifying glass and now we need to carefully observe the color changes of the trichomes. The trichomes generally change from transparent to milky white and finally turn amber.
Transparent stage
In the early stage of the flowering period of cannabis, the trichomes are transparent, like dewdrops covering the flowers and leaves. At this time, the THC content is relatively low and the potency is relatively weak.
Milky stage
When the trichomes change from transparent to milky white, the entire gland looks like it is covered by fogged glass. At this time, the potency of cannabis reaches the best level, which can bring more brain and more exciting effects.
Amber stage
When the trichomes turn amber, some THC begins to convert into CBN. Harvesting at this time will be able to get a more calming and relaxing effect.
Five common questions about cannabis harvesting
1. When is the best time to harvest cannabis?
If you want to get a more exciting effect, harvest when the trichomes turn milky white, when the thc content is the highest. If you want a more calming and relaxing effect, wait until the trichomes turn amber, and some of the THC will be converted to CBN.
2. What tools and equipment are needed to harvest cannabis?
You can prepare a magnifying glass in advance for observing trichomes; scissors or pruning shears for pruning; a drying rack or drying net for drying flowers; and a sealed container for curing and storage.
3. How to harvest cannabis correctly?
Cut each flower with scissors, handling it carefully to avoid damaging the resin glands, then hang the flowers upside down and dry them in a cool, dark, dry place.
4. What should I do with the harvested cannabis?
In addition to drying, it also needs to be trimmed and stored. Cut off the excess leaves, keep the most essential parts, and then store it in a sealed container in a cool and dry place.
10 times the quality of cannabis: tips for harvesting, drying and curing.
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