The harvesting process is crucial in determining the quality of the end product.
Timing
Timing is critical when it comes to harvesting cannabis. The ideal time to harvest cannabis is when the trichomes, which are tiny resin glands on the flowers, have turned mostly cloudy. The trichomes contain the cannabinoids and terpenes that give cannabis its unique properties. Harvesting too early can result in lower yields and lower potency, while harvesting too late can result in lower potency.
Hand Harvesting
Careful Hand harvesting is the preferred method of harvesting connoisseur-grade cannabis. Hand harvesting involves using scissors or shears to cut the buds from the plant. I start by removing the large fan leaves from the plant . If the leaves have trichomes on them, I leave them alone.Hand harvesting is the best method because it minimizes damage to the buds, which can affect the quality of the final product.
Drying
Drying is also an important step in the harvesting process. After the buds have been harvested, they should be hung upside down in a cool, dark, and dry place to dry.
The drying process should take between 10-20 days, depending on the humidity and temperature of the drying room.
The general rule of thumb is “low & slow ” this means low temperatures for a slow dry.
I usually dry my flowers between 65°F- 70°F. Humidity between 55% and 60%. Generally the warmer the room the higher The humidity within that range.
Example: 70°F=60%
65°F=55%
Proper drying is essential to prevent mold and mildew from developing on the buds. Keeping these environmental ranges can help prevent that from happening.
It’s important not to overly dry the flowers at this stages
If the buds are too dry, they may become brittle and lose their aroma. If they are too moist, they develop a bad smell and may be at risk of developing mold or mildew during the curing process, which can ruin the entire batch.
Knowing when they’re ready is just something tour learn with experience. You can also perform a snap test, which involves bending a small stem of the plant, near the flower and listening for a snapping sound. If the stem snaps cleanly, the buds are likely dry enough for curing.
Manicuring
This is the process of removing the leaves, stems, and other unwanted material from the cannabis buds after they have been dried. Proper manicuring techniques are essential in producing connoisseur-grade cannabis, as they ensure that the final product is free from excess plant material and has a clean, attractive appearance.
Here are some some of the technique I use.
Curing
As the buds are stored in the curing jars, they release moisture, which creates a humid environment inside the jar. This humidity triggers the activation of enzymes that break down the complex carbohydrates and proteins present in the plant matter. These enzymes, known as proteases and amylases, work to break down the plant material into simpler compounds.
As the curing process progresses, the buds will continue to release moisture, which will be absorbed by the air inside the jar. This creates a cycle of moisture release and absorption that helps to evenly distribute the moisture throughout the buds and ensures that they dry evenly.
Burping is a process used in the curing of jars to release excess humidity. If this isn’t regulated, it can cause mold or other undesirable conditions to develop inside the jar, which can ruin the flowers.
To burp a curing jar, you simply open the lid of the jar for a short period of time to allow the microenvironment to change. This can be done once or twice a day, depending on how much humidity and how quickly it builds up. Note: if you’re. Jars are constantly building up humidity, you may have jarred the flowers too early. In a situation like this , you may also notice a strong odor coming from the jar.
Determining when to burp your curing jars is not an exact science and may vary depending on a number of factors, such as the humidity and temperature of the curing environment, the moisture content of the cannabis being cured, and the size of the jars being used. However, as a general guideline, you can start by burping the jars for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day, and then adjust the frequency and duration based on your observations of the gas buildup and the overall condition of the cannabis.
CaliGreen tip:
Determining burping frequency:
Timing
Timing is critical when it comes to harvesting cannabis. The ideal time to harvest cannabis is when the trichomes, which are tiny resin glands on the flowers, have turned mostly cloudy. The trichomes contain the cannabinoids and terpenes that give cannabis its unique properties. Harvesting too early can result in lower yields and lower potency, while harvesting too late can result in lower potency.
Hand Harvesting
Careful Hand harvesting is the preferred method of harvesting connoisseur-grade cannabis. Hand harvesting involves using scissors or shears to cut the buds from the plant. I start by removing the large fan leaves from the plant . If the leaves have trichomes on them, I leave them alone.Hand harvesting is the best method because it minimizes damage to the buds, which can affect the quality of the final product.
Drying
Drying is also an important step in the harvesting process. After the buds have been harvested, they should be hung upside down in a cool, dark, and dry place to dry.
The drying process should take between 10-20 days, depending on the humidity and temperature of the drying room.
The general rule of thumb is “low & slow ” this means low temperatures for a slow dry.
I usually dry my flowers between 65°F- 70°F. Humidity between 55% and 60%. Generally the warmer the room the higher The humidity within that range.
Example: 70°F=60%
65°F=55%
Proper drying is essential to prevent mold and mildew from developing on the buds. Keeping these environmental ranges can help prevent that from happening.
It’s important not to overly dry the flowers at this stages
If the buds are too dry, they may become brittle and lose their aroma. If they are too moist, they develop a bad smell and may be at risk of developing mold or mildew during the curing process, which can ruin the entire batch.
Knowing when they’re ready is just something tour learn with experience. You can also perform a snap test, which involves bending a small stem of the plant, near the flower and listening for a snapping sound. If the stem snaps cleanly, the buds are likely dry enough for curing.
Manicuring
This is the process of removing the leaves, stems, and other unwanted material from the cannabis buds after they have been dried. Proper manicuring techniques are essential in producing connoisseur-grade cannabis, as they ensure that the final product is free from excess plant material and has a clean, attractive appearance.
Here are some some of the technique I use.
- 1. Use sharp, clean scissors: The tools used for manicuring should be sharp and clean to ensure that they do not damage the buds or introduce contaminants. Scissors are the most commonly used tool for manicuring.
- 2. Trim the buds carefully: When trimming the buds, it is important to remove only the leaves and stems that are protruding from the buds. The a mount of sugar leaves removed is personal preference. It’s important to know that the sugar leaves contain a high concentration of trichomes.
- 3. Manicure in a clean, dry environment: The manicuring process should be performed in a clean, dry environment to reduce the risk of introducing contaminants or damaging the buds. This can be done in a designated room or area that is free from dust, dirt, and other debris.
- 4. Handle the buds gently: The buds should be handled gently during the manicuring process to minimize damage to the trichomes and prevent the loss of valuable cannabinoids and terpenes. It is also important to avoid touching the buds with bare hands, as this can transfer oils and other contaminants.
Curing
As the buds are stored in the curing jars, they release moisture, which creates a humid environment inside the jar. This humidity triggers the activation of enzymes that break down the complex carbohydrates and proteins present in the plant matter. These enzymes, known as proteases and amylases, work to break down the plant material into simpler compounds.
As the curing process progresses, the buds will continue to release moisture, which will be absorbed by the air inside the jar. This creates a cycle of moisture release and absorption that helps to evenly distribute the moisture throughout the buds and ensures that they dry evenly.
Burping is a process used in the curing of jars to release excess humidity. If this isn’t regulated, it can cause mold or other undesirable conditions to develop inside the jar, which can ruin the flowers.
To burp a curing jar, you simply open the lid of the jar for a short period of time to allow the microenvironment to change. This can be done once or twice a day, depending on how much humidity and how quickly it builds up. Note: if you’re. Jars are constantly building up humidity, you may have jarred the flowers too early. In a situation like this , you may also notice a strong odor coming from the jar.
Determining when to burp your curing jars is not an exact science and may vary depending on a number of factors, such as the humidity and temperature of the curing environment, the moisture content of the cannabis being cured, and the size of the jars being used. However, as a general guideline, you can start by burping the jars for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day, and then adjust the frequency and duration based on your observations of the gas buildup and the overall condition of the cannabis.
CaliGreen tip:
Determining burping frequency:
- Jar of the flowers.
- Open jar after an hour, if you notice a smell the jar may need to be burped more often. If you don’t smell anything bad, close the jar again and this time leave it for two hours.
- Repeat the process I’ll tell you reach the eight hour point. If you reach this point you may only have to burp the jars once a day.
- If you reach that point, he may only have to burp the jars every few days.
- Another good way to determine Went to burp the jars is by using a hydrometer. If the jar remains at 60%, you do not have to open it. If it goes above 60% you will need to burp it.