When To Harvest Cannabis: Best Time Of Day To Harvest & Mistakes To Avoid

(CTN News) – Are you growing cannabis and wondering when is the right time to harvest? Harvesting cannabis at the right time is crucial for obtaining high-quality buds with maximum potency.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about when to harvest cannabis, including signs to look for, the best time of day to harvest, and common mistakes to avoid.

Introduction

Cannabis cultivation has become increasingly popular, both for personal and commercial use. Harvesting is a crucial step in the cultivation process, and it can be tricky to know when the right time is.

The timing of harvest can significantly impact the quality and potency of your buds. Therefore, it’s essential to know what to look for and when to harvest.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of identifying the optimal time to harvest cannabis.

When to Harvest Cannabis?

Harvesting cannabis involves a balance between waiting for the optimal time for peak potency and not waiting too long, leading to decreased potency and reduced yield.

Several factors determine when cannabis plants are ready for harvest, including genetics, strain, and growing conditions. However, some general signs indicate when to harvest cannabis.

Look for Trichomes

Trichomes are the small, crystal-like structures that develop on the flowers of the cannabis plant.

They contain the majority of the plant’s cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, which are responsible for the plant’s effects. Observing the trichomes is the most reliable way to determine when to harvest cannabis.

As the plant matures, the trichomes change color from clear to cloudy, indicating the presence of more cannabinoids. Once most trichomes turn cloudy, it’s time to harvest.

However, if you wait too long, the trichomes may start turning amber, signaling that the THC is starting to degrade, leading to a less potent harvest.

Therefore, it’s best to harvest when most of the trichomes are cloudy, but there are still some clear ones present.

Pay Attention to Pistils

Pistils are the tiny, hair-like structures that grow from the flowers of the cannabis plant. When the plant starts to flower, the pistils are usually white or light-colored.

As the plant matures, the pistils will start to darken, indicating that the plant is close to maturity.

If you’re growing a sativa strain, the pistils may start to turn red or orange, indicating that the plant is nearing maturity.

However, if you’re growing an indica strain, the pistils may turn amber, which can be misleading. Therefore, it’s best to rely on trichomes rather than pistils to determine when to harvest cannabis.

Check the Leaves

Another sign that your cannabis plant is ready for harvest is the color of its leaves. As the plant matures, the leaves will start to turn yellow and die off.

This is a natural process that occurs as the plant diverts energy to the flowers. However, if the leaves start turning yellow before most of the trichomes are cloudy, it’s too early to harvest.

Best Time of Day to Harvest Cannabis

The timing of day to harvest cannabis is crucial as it can affect the potency and flavor of the buds. Harvesting cannabis early in the morning or late at night is best as this is when the plant’s metabolism is at its lowest.

This means that the plant has the least amount of stored energy and is less likely to produce unpleasant flavors during the drying and curing process.