✂️ Harvest & Post-Harvest
Proper harvest timing and post-harvest handling are crucial for quality and potency.
🔍 Determining Harvest Time
- Trichome Color: Use 60x-100x magnification
- Clear: Too early, low potency
- Cloudy/Milky: Peak THC, energetic high
- Amber: Degraded THC to CBN, sedating effect
- Pistil Color: 70-90% brown/orange pistils is usually ready
- Overall Plant: Yellowing fan leaves, swollen calyxes
✂️ Harvest Process
- Pre-Harvest: Stop feeding 1-2 weeks prior, flush with plain water
- Cutting: Cut at base or by branches, early morning preferred
- Initial Trim: Remove large fan leaves immediately
- Hang Drying: Upside down in dark, ventilated space
🌬️ Drying Environment
- Temperature: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
- Humidity: 45-55% RH
- Airflow: Gentle circulation, not direct on buds
- Darkness: No light to preserve cannabinoids
- Duration: 7-14 days until stems snap but don't break
🏺 Curing Process
- Trim dried buds from stems
- Place in airtight glass jars (mason jars work well)
- Fill jars 75% full, leave air space
- Open jars daily for first week (burping)
- Reduce to weekly burping after first week
- Cure for minimum 2-4 weeks, up to 6 months
🎯 Quality Control: Proper drying and curing can make mediocre flower exceptional. Don't rush this critical final step!