When should I harvest the buds from my cannabis plant? That is the eternal question...
I'm sure the answer we're all thinking is "Not soon enough!"
Unfortunately for us impatient growers, harvesting at the right time is just as important as how you grow the plant. Harvest too soon and you lose potency and cannabis yields; too late and you can end up making a batch of sleep medicine.
You only need 3 things to determine the best marijuana harvest time:
Note: We recommend that you flush your cannabis plants in the last week or two leading up to harvest time if growing in soil or coco, and for at least a few days in hydro.
First, we'll show you how to identify harvest time by checking the pistils (the 'hairs' on your buds). The pistil method isn't nearly as accurate as checking the trichomes (the 'glitter' on your buds), but it's definitely a good place to start since you can just look at the buds and get a general idea.
1st Method to Identify Harvest Time:
Pistil Method
Not Ready for Harvest Pictures
The vast majority of pistils (hairs) are still white and sticking out straight.
This is definitely too early to harvest, and these plants have many weeks to go!
Still Not Ready for Harvest Pictures
We're waiting for at least half of the white hairs to darken and curl in. Some of the pistils are starting to turn color, but there are far less than 50% curled/darkened pistils. These buds still have several weeks to go before they'll reach their highest levels of THC. The good news is your buds will get bigger and more dense in that time!
Ready for Harvest Pictures
Harvest when 60-70% of hairs have darkened for highest levels of THC.
Harvest when 70-90% of hairs have darkened for a more calming,
anti-anxiety effect as some THC turns to the more relaxing CBN.
With some strains, you may see a bunch of new pistils appear right when you think you're getting close. This is normal, but it happens more than 3 times you've eventually got to just make the decision and chop.
With some strains, it is much harder to tell when the time is right. Different strains can look different ways at harvest. For example, some strains can keep most of their pistils white even when they're ready to be harvested.
You can get some good information by talking to someone who has grown your strain before, such as the breeder. The breeder or growers who've grown your strain before can often provide extra insight into what to look for at harvest. You can also search online for pictures of what your strain should look like when it's fully ripened.
Next, we're going to go over the 2nd (and MUCH more accurate) method of checking your cannabis plants to see if they're harvest-ready...
This harvest method tends to be more precise than looking at the pistils of your cannabis plant.
Look at trichomes under a magnifier to harvest cannabis buds with the right THC levels
With this method, you look at the glandular stalked trichomes on the buds under a magnifying glass. Trichomes are the the mushroom-looking growths on cannabis that are responsible for it being so popular!
In some places these trichomes are called resin glands. These trichromes are the 'crystals', or 'frosty stuff' you see accumulating on your bud/leaves. They're also what makes weed so sticky.
The trichomes you're trying to see look like little mushrooms. You may also see tiny, clear hair-like trichomes without the mushroom head but these don't affect potency so you can ignore them. You are interested in the trichomes that have a little ball on top. This is where a lot of the THC and other good stuff in cannabis is located. Since these trichomes are what contribute the most to bud potency, being able to tell when they've reached their highest levels of THC will help you be able to choose the exact right time to harvest your marijuana.
Jeweler's loupes are relatively cheap to buy online, or at a hardware or jewelry store.
If you put the loupe right up to your buds, you'll get a better view of the trichomes, letting you better determine their color and shape.
Although a jeweler's loupe can make trichomes appear bigger, sometimes it's not big enough. I know I end up squinting a lot when I'm trying to use one, but they are a heck of a lot better than nothing!
Carson zOrb hooked up to a laptop. So far this seems to be the most accurate way to look at trichomes (and you can make the picture big so you're not squinting through a tiny jeweler's loupe)
Here's a guide breaking down
when to harvest marijuana buds based on color of trichomes.
(note: the trichomes of some strains turn purple or pink instead of amber/gold/yellow)
Clear trichomes look kind of like glass
Cloudy trichomes look more like plastic to me
I still can't tell the difference between clear and cloudy trichomes!!!
It can be hard to tell the difference between clear and cloudy trichomes, especially if you don't see both types of trichomes at the same time! This is completely normal, and it takes a little experience before this part becomes totally easy.
However, when in doubt, consult with the pictures of buds above. If you combine both methods you'll get the best results! Although looking at your buds isn't the most precise way to know when to harvest, it does give you a really good idea. Try to take everything together. If your buds just have white pistils sticking out, you know for sure that it's no where close to ready, so you also know that the trichomes on the buds aren't all cloudy yet. It's only when your buds are getting close to looking harvest-ready that trichomes are going to have something to tell you!
The trichomes in this picture are still mostly clear, but that may be difficult to know immediately if you haven't really looked at trichomes before! However, I don't even really need to look at the trichomes in this picture to know these buds aren't ready yet. There are other signs it's not ready. I can clearly see several white pistils sticking straight out in the photo. The only two pistils that have darkened haven't even curled in yet.
Trichomes are mostly clear so this bud is not ready for harvest
But even without looking the trichomes, the the fact that nearly all the pistils are sticking straight out has already shown that this bud isn't ready. If most pistils aren't curling in, it means you still have several weeks to go! Here's that bud from further away - it's far from ready!
When you're not sure, try to use a combination of looking at the buds and looking at the trichomes!
Many of the cannabinoids we enjoy most are produced within these glandular stalked trichomes. This includes THC, CBD, and CBN amongst others.
Learn everything you could possibly want to know about cannabinoid levels in your marijuana, and what you need to do as a grower to control the potency of the buds you grow.
Curing your buds properly for at least 2 weeks to a month will also give them more of an anti-anxiety effect.
When growing your own marijuana plants, you can certainly sample buds off your plant at different stages to get an idea for what your preferences are. It's okay to cut off pieces at a time!
[/URL]The hardest part of growing cannabis for many new growers is waiting for the right time to harvest.
There is a strong tendency for new growers to harvest the plant early due to excitement.
Unfortunately, this often results in low yields and lower-potency buds.
If you are feeling excited about harvesting your marijuana plant, pull buds off the plant that look the most done and dry them and check the potency for yourself.
Harvesting the buds in stages (starting off slowly with small batches) can really help abate the excitement.
When in doubt, listen to your gut. Using both methods together will help you pick the best time to harvest, but only YOU know how you want your buds to turn out. This means that even the best methods are just general guidelines. But hopefully, you're now closer to getting your bud the way you want it.
Happy growing!
I'm sure the answer we're all thinking is "Not soon enough!"
Unfortunately for us impatient growers, harvesting at the right time is just as important as how you grow the plant. Harvest too soon and you lose potency and cannabis yields; too late and you can end up making a batch of sleep medicine.
You only need 3 things to determine the best marijuana harvest time:
- The knowledge of when to harvest - You get that today!
- Eyes for visual inspection - You've probably had these for a while!
- A magnifying tool - Makes the glittery, resin-filled trichomes on your buds easier to see; although not 100% necessary, this lets you time your harvest perfectly to get the exact effects you're looking for
- Jeweler's Loupe - This is the cheapest and most low tech way to get the job done. Unfortunately, it is still difficult to get the best insight into how your buds are doing unless you have really great eyes, though the one I linked to is the best that I've tried. Will definitely get the job done in a pinch!
- Handheld Magnifier - Some people prefer these to jeweler's loupes. They can create a good picture and typically can magnify more than a jeweler's loupe. However, this power makes them a bit harder to focus. I personally prefer a loupe, but since they're both pretty cheap I encourage you to try both and see which one you like better..
- Digital Microscope - A digital microscope is the final word in determining harvest time. It costs a bit more and many models need a connecting laptop, but it'll get you face-to-face with your trichomes. You'll be almost uncomfortably close to your trichomes!
Note: We recommend that you flush your cannabis plants in the last week or two leading up to harvest time if growing in soil or coco, and for at least a few days in hydro.
First, we'll show you how to identify harvest time by checking the pistils (the 'hairs' on your buds). The pistil method isn't nearly as accurate as checking the trichomes (the 'glitter' on your buds), but it's definitely a good place to start since you can just look at the buds and get a general idea.
1st Method to Identify Harvest Time:
Pistil Method
Not Ready for Harvest Pictures
The vast majority of pistils (hairs) are still white and sticking out straight.
This is definitely too early to harvest, and these plants have many weeks to go!
Still Not Ready for Harvest Pictures
We're waiting for at least half of the white hairs to darken and curl in. Some of the pistils are starting to turn color, but there are far less than 50% curled/darkened pistils. These buds still have several weeks to go before they'll reach their highest levels of THC. The good news is your buds will get bigger and more dense in that time!
Ready for Harvest Pictures
Harvest when 60-70% of hairs have darkened for highest levels of THC.
Harvest when 70-90% of hairs have darkened for a more calming,
anti-anxiety effect as some THC turns to the more relaxing CBN.
With some strains, you may see a bunch of new pistils appear right when you think you're getting close. This is normal, but it happens more than 3 times you've eventually got to just make the decision and chop.
With some strains, it is much harder to tell when the time is right. Different strains can look different ways at harvest. For example, some strains can keep most of their pistils white even when they're ready to be harvested.
You can get some good information by talking to someone who has grown your strain before, such as the breeder. The breeder or growers who've grown your strain before can often provide extra insight into what to look for at harvest. You can also search online for pictures of what your strain should look like when it's fully ripened.
Next, we're going to go over the 2nd (and MUCH more accurate) method of checking your cannabis plants to see if they're harvest-ready...
This harvest method tends to be more precise than looking at the pistils of your cannabis plant.
Look at trichomes under a magnifier to harvest cannabis buds with the right THC levels
With this method, you look at the glandular stalked trichomes on the buds under a magnifying glass. Trichomes are the the mushroom-looking growths on cannabis that are responsible for it being so popular!
In some places these trichomes are called resin glands. These trichromes are the 'crystals', or 'frosty stuff' you see accumulating on your bud/leaves. They're also what makes weed so sticky.
The trichomes you're trying to see look like little mushrooms. You may also see tiny, clear hair-like trichomes without the mushroom head but these don't affect potency so you can ignore them. You are interested in the trichomes that have a little ball on top. This is where a lot of the THC and other good stuff in cannabis is located. Since these trichomes are what contribute the most to bud potency, being able to tell when they've reached their highest levels of THC will help you be able to choose the exact right time to harvest your marijuana.
If you put the loupe right up to your buds, you'll get a better view of the trichomes, letting you better determine their color and shape.
Although a jeweler's loupe can make trichomes appear bigger, sometimes it's not big enough. I know I end up squinting a lot when I'm trying to use one, but they are a heck of a lot better than nothing!
Carson zOrb hooked up to a laptop. So far this seems to be the most accurate way to look at trichomes (and you can make the picture big so you're not squinting through a tiny jeweler's loupe)
Here's a guide breaking down
when to harvest marijuana buds based on color of trichomes.
(note: the trichomes of some strains turn purple or pink instead of amber/gold/yellow)
Clear trichomes look kind of like glass
Cloudy trichomes look more like plastic to me
I still can't tell the difference between clear and cloudy trichomes!!!
It can be hard to tell the difference between clear and cloudy trichomes, especially if you don't see both types of trichomes at the same time! This is completely normal, and it takes a little experience before this part becomes totally easy.
However, when in doubt, consult with the pictures of buds above. If you combine both methods you'll get the best results! Although looking at your buds isn't the most precise way to know when to harvest, it does give you a really good idea. Try to take everything together. If your buds just have white pistils sticking out, you know for sure that it's no where close to ready, so you also know that the trichomes on the buds aren't all cloudy yet. It's only when your buds are getting close to looking harvest-ready that trichomes are going to have something to tell you!
The trichomes in this picture are still mostly clear, but that may be difficult to know immediately if you haven't really looked at trichomes before! However, I don't even really need to look at the trichomes in this picture to know these buds aren't ready yet. There are other signs it's not ready. I can clearly see several white pistils sticking straight out in the photo. The only two pistils that have darkened haven't even curled in yet.
Trichomes are mostly clear so this bud is not ready for harvest
But even without looking the trichomes, the the fact that nearly all the pistils are sticking straight out has already shown that this bud isn't ready. If most pistils aren't curling in, it means you still have several weeks to go! Here's that bud from further away - it's far from ready!
When you're not sure, try to use a combination of looking at the buds and looking at the trichomes!
Many of the cannabinoids we enjoy most are produced within these glandular stalked trichomes. This includes THC, CBD, and CBN amongst others.
Learn everything you could possibly want to know about cannabinoid levels in your marijuana, and what you need to do as a grower to control the potency of the buds you grow.
Curing your buds properly for at least 2 weeks to a month will also give them more of an anti-anxiety effect.
When growing your own marijuana plants, you can certainly sample buds off your plant at different stages to get an idea for what your preferences are. It's okay to cut off pieces at a time!
There is a strong tendency for new growers to harvest the plant early due to excitement.
Unfortunately, this often results in low yields and lower-potency buds.
If you are feeling excited about harvesting your marijuana plant, pull buds off the plant that look the most done and dry them and check the potency for yourself.
Harvesting the buds in stages (starting off slowly with small batches) can really help abate the excitement.
When in doubt, listen to your gut. Using both methods together will help you pick the best time to harvest, but only YOU know how you want your buds to turn out. This means that even the best methods are just general guidelines. But hopefully, you're now closer to getting your bud the way you want it.
Happy growing!
