Recognizing When to Harvest

Harvesting Guide Basics & Tips

Growing your own cannabis at home should be a fun, rewarding, and successful experience. One of the most critical steps in the homegrowing journey is knowing when to harvest. Harvesting at the right time ensures you get the best potency, flavor, and yield from your plants. Here’s a brief guide to help you recognize the signs that your flowers are ready for harvest.

Understanding the Autoflower Lifecycle

Autoflower cannabis plants are a great choice for homegrowers because they’re easy to cultivate and have a shorter growing cycle than traditional photoperiod strains. They automatically switch from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage based on age, not light exposure. Typically, autoflowers are ready to harvest 10-14 weeks from seed, though this can vary by strain and growing conditions.

Knowing the typical stages of the autoflower lifecycle can help you time your harvest correctly:

• Seedling Stage (1-3 weeks): The plant starts growing, developing its first set of leaves.
• Vegetative Stage (2-8 weeks): Rapid growth occurs, with more leaves forming and the stem strengthening.
• Flowering Stage (8-12+ weeks): Buds start to develop, and this is when you'll start checking for harvest readiness.

How to Tell When Your Autoflower Is Ready for Harvest

To maximize the quality and yield of your harvest, keep an eye on these key indicators:

1. Trichome Color

Trichomes are the tiny, crystal-like structures on the buds and leaves. They contain most of the plant’s cannabinoids (THC, CBD) and terpenes, determining the potency and flavor of your harvest. As the plant matures, trichomes change color:

• Clear Trichomes: The plant is still developing and not ready for harvest.
• Milky/Cloudy Trichomes: Ideal harvest time for a balanced effect — a mix of uplifting and relaxing sensations.
• Amber Trichomes: The plant will provide a more sedative, body-relaxing effect, often preferred for pain relief or sleep aid.

Trichomes are visible to the naked eye but a magnifying tool or smartphone app can be helpful.

2. Pistil Color

Pistils are the hair-like structures on the buds that change color as the plant matures:

• White or Light Pistils: The plant is still early in flowering.
• Brown or Orange Pistils: When 70-90% of the pistils have darkened, it’s a good indication that your plant is close to its optimal harvest time.

3. Bud Shape and Density

• Immature Buds: Smaller, less dense, and fluffy. Not ready for harvest.
• Mature Buds: Larger, denser, and more resinous, with a strong aroma. Ready for harvest.

4. Leaf Condition

• Fan Leaves Yellowing: Larger leaves may yellow and drop off as the plant uses stored nutrients.
• Sugar Leaves Curling: The smaller leaves within the buds may curl or discolor, signaling the plant is nearing the end of its life cycle.

5. Plant Size and Shape

Autoflower plants may stop growing taller as they near harvest, focusing their energy on bud development. The plant may look more compact, with thickening buds.

Getting Ready for Harvest

Once you’ve determined that your plant is nearing harvest, here are the next steps:

1. Feeding Until Harvest: Contrary to the old belief that flushing (using plain water to "cleanse" the plant) is necessary before harvest, recent studies have shown that this practice does not improve the quality or taste of your buds. Instead, continue providing your plants with a balanced nutrient regimen right up until harvest. This ensures your buds receive the maximum nutrients needed for growth, resulting in denser, more flavorful buds.
2. Monitoring Conditions: Keep your grow environment stable, with temperatures between 65-75°F and if possible humidity at 40-50% to prevent mold and pests.
3. Planning Harvest Time: Harvest during the day when cannabinoid levels are at their peak.

Harvesting Tips for Success

• Cutting and Trimming: Use sharp, sterile scissors or pruning shears to cut the branches and carefully trim the fan and sugar leaves.
• Drying and Curing: Hang the trimmed branches upside down in a dark, ventilated room at 60-70°F with 45-55% humidity (ideally). After 3-10 days, trim the buds from the stalks and transfer the dried buds to airtight jars and open them daily for the first week, then periodically to release moisture.

Tools to Help You Identify the Perfect Harvest Time

• Magnifying Lenses: Helpful for inspecting trichomes.
• Smartphone Apps: Track your plant's growth stages and remind you to check harvest indicators.

Visual Guide to Help You Determine the Right Time to Harvest

Check out the trichome image above, which shows the different stages of development. We hope you find  this guide helpful in timing your harvest!

Need More Help?

Our team at CheebaPet is here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out. Let the Good Times Grow !!