How To Grow Cannabis
Tips For Cutting and Drying Cannabis Plants.
Cutting and Drying Cannabis – On average, Cannabis plants require approximately eight-weeks in flower to fully mature. Growing outdoors may require a week or two longer, depending upon conditions. Certain varieties may require longer, so always read the strain reviews for more accurate information. With this in mind, growers already have an approximate idea of when to harvest their Cannabis plants.
By week 6/7 into the flowering cycle, the buds are beginning to mature and no longer require additional nutrients. Soil growers should use Ph balanced water to flush their plants, while hydroponic growers often gently decrease the strength of their solution, sometimes adding a final flushing additive to enhance the flavor.
Check your plants are completely mature by looking at the color of the trichomes and pistils, learn more with our Tips For Harvesting Cannabis. Once your completely happy, it’s time to harvest your plants. Don’t be tempted to rush. You’ve worked and waited for this day and planning is essential.
In this article we will look at cutting your plants, storing and drying. This is an important part of growing Cannabis and can ‘make-or-break’ your harvest. Larger plants and bigger grow’s are going to take longer to complete. Allow yourself sufficient time, by planning your Cannabis harvest.
Harvesting Your Cannabis Plants.
There are a couple of different methods for cutting and drying Cannabis, choosing the best one for you, often depends upon the size and number of plants you’re harvesting. Some people cut and trim each individual bud at this stage. While others prefer to cut branches and sections, removing just the larger, unwanted leaves.
If you’re choosing to dry using racks or baskets, we recommend trimming the buds completely on the first-cut. If your planning to hang the buds to dry and have less control over the temperature and humidity, leave more of the leaves on, protecting the buds.
You’re going to need some comfortable scissors. We suggest at least two, different sizes. A larger pair for cutting main-stems and branches and a smaller, second pair, for trimming leaves from the buds. These are going to become sticky with resin. This can be scrapped and removed, making a great smoke for later.
Have some bags available, your going to have some waste-products to clear away. Try to keep your harvesting area as clean and tidy as possible. Its very easy to damage the buds at this time, so once the branches or buds have been cut and prepared, put them into their designated drying area and clear away the stems, fan-leaves, pots and soil before beginning the next plant.
Separate the trimmings into large, waste leaves and those that have a resin coating while you are trimming. THC doesn’t ‘run-through’ the plant, it is contained inside the trichomes, the resin-stalks covering the plant. Many of the leaves surrounding the buds have a high resin content. Collect this trim for use making bubble-hash, butter and other concentrates.
Once all your plants have been harvested and the buds or branches, moved to their drying positions, thoroughly tidy the area, clean all pots and equipment and disinfect the growing area, before planting your next crop of Cannabis seeds.
Drying and Curing Your Cannabis.
Drying your Cannabis at the correct temperature produces the smoothest smoke, flavor-filled buds and aromatic bouquets. However, get this stage wrong and your buds could be harsh, or fail to burn, flavors can be lost and any aroma, destroyed.
Cannabis needs to be dried before it can be smoked. Not only is it difficult to burn fresh or moist buds, but the THC doesn’t become active unless it’s dried and crystalized. Whether you choose to ‘hang-dry’ your branches, or ‘rack-dry’ your buds, try to maintain an even, day and night-time temperature of 65 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Air intake, extraction and movement are necessary to stop the air around the buds from becoming stale. As the oils contained within the resin glands begin to dry, they will evaporate. It may be necessary to fit carbon-filters or other forms of odor-control to reduce the smell.
The drying process is going to increase the humidity levels in the room and around the buds. The moisture within the buds needs to evaporate and can only do this when the humidity levels are below 55%. The lower the level, the quicker and more evenly your buds will dry. Use air-movement and dehumidifies to reduce these levels as low as possible.
Drying your Cannabis shouldn’t be rushed, you’ve waited this long, a few more days will be worth the wait. After approximately five days, your buds should have lost the majority of their moisture, becoming just about ready to try. Remove them from the branches, if you’re using the hanging method, and remove any unwanted leaf-matter, trimming them into their final shape.
Your buds still contain inner-moisture and will require a day or two longer to dry, once removed from the stalks. Do not place the buds into plastic bags at this point. They will sweat and quickly become damp. They need to be cured to balance and remove any left-over moisture.
Curing is a simple process that many new, inexperienced growers neglect. Not only does it allow your buds to burn better and more evenly, it also improves both the flavor and aroma they produce.
Once you believe your buds are completely dry, place them in an air-tight container. Leave it for a few hours, then open the lid. If your buds feel slightly damp and moist to the touch, allow them to dry out again, then repeat the process. After performing the process several times, over a number of days, the buds will stop ‘sweating’ and the process is complete.
Buds that have been correctly cured can be stored in an air-tight container for a long period of time. Air and light both degrade THC, so keeping them in a dark, air-tight jar or container is the perfect option. Check your buds regularly, especially at the beginning of storage, ensuring any moisture is released each time.
Buy Cannabis Seeds Online.
With a wide variety of flavours and aroma’s, you can buy Cannabis seeds online that suit your tastes and level of experience. Choose from a wide selection of fruity flavors, with varieties such as Lemon Haze or Blueberry. For more pungent aroma’s and stronger tastes, we have a wide selection, including Super Skunk, OG Kush and Sour Diesel.
All our recommended Cannabis seeds for sale are completely feminized and of the highest quality. Dispatched directly by I Love Growing Marijuana, enjoy the very best seeds from one of the USA’s top Cannabis and Marijuana seed banks.
Choose from a selection of packet sizes, from 5, 10 or 20 seeds. For those growers looking for more variety and greater savings, check out our Mix Packs.
Containing three, individual strains, they offer a selection of flavors, aromas and highs. The perfect choice for all growing techniques and levels of experience. Available as 15, 30 or 60 seeds per pack with massive savings compared to individual purchases.
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Receive all the help you need, from purchase through to harvest. Any questions regarding your chosen seeds will be quickly answered by the I Love Growing Marijuana support team.
Find all the information you need to successfully grow Cannabis from seed. Read strain reviews, with customer comments, helping you find the best seeds and strains for your needs.
Download the Marijuana Grow Guide. The world’s most read manual dedicated to Cannabis cultivation. Learn all the techniques used by professional growers to improve the yield and quality of their plants.
Completely free and without obligation, claim your free copy. Start to improve your harvests. Find out more about the Marijuana Grow Guide.
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