Harvest

Harvest time refers to that long-awaited moment of truth when mature cannabis plants transition from the flowering stage into the drying and curing process, ultimately transforming into finished buds ready for consumption and storage. Determining the optimal window of peak ripeness requires close observation of cloudy trichomes and changing pistil coloration along with some skill and intuition. Precise timing is critical for preventing premature harvesting before buds reach full maturity and potency as well as harvesting too late, which can compromise quality due to senescence. Monitor fading pistils turning darker and wilting along with the percentage of Milky white vs. Amber trichome heads, snapping stems to check resin has hardened. Look for plump calyx swelling while fan leaves yellow. Stems should snap but not pulverize into dust when bent. After carefully cutting selected branches or entire plants, the harvested cannabis then gets professionally trimmed, slowly dried, and cured for several weeks. Proper drying and curing procedures prevent mold growth and over-drying to lock in terpenes and smooth combustability. For growers, perfectly timed harvests reward many seasons of patience and diligence with generous, heavy yields of smoothly smokeable buds bursting with optimal aromas, flavors and cannabinoid levels.