You have worked patiently in your cultivation, taking care of every detail so that your plants grow strong and healthy. Now, harvest time seems to be approaching, but the big question arises: when is the best time to cut cannabis? How to do it the right way to preserve all the quality and effort you have invested?
Proper cutting optimizes drying, improves curing, and prolongs the shelf life of cannabis, allowing it to retain its essential properties and characteristics of the plant you have grown, particularly when it comes to CBD flowers or any other special variety of cannabis. In this practical guide, we explain step by step how to cut your cannabis plant correctly, what the best tools are to do it and what mistakes you should avoid. We will also talk about advanced techniques to facilitate harvesting, such as pre-trimming and the technique of natural hooks on the branches.
When is the ideal time to cut cannabis?
Determining the exact time to cut cannabis is a key decision in cultivation. It is not enough to count the days since germination, as the growth of each plant is influenced by a number of factors, such as the type of seed, environmental conditions, and the type of light received. Patience at this point is essential, as cutting too early or too late can affect the cannabinoid profile and the final experience.
Key visual indicators
One of the most important factors in determining harvest time is the plant’s visual indicators. Here are the main ones:
- Trichomes: These tiny, crystal-shaped glands are responsible for the production of resin, which in turn contains the active compounds in cannabis, such as cannabinoids and terpenes. To check its maturity, use a magnifying glass or microscope. When the trichomes go from clear to a milky color with a percentage of between 10-20% amber, it is the right time for cutting. If the trichomes are still clear, it means that the plant has not yet reached its full potency. On the other hand, if most are amber, the effects could be more sedative and less stimulating.
- Stigmata: These are the white filaments that protrude from the buds and change colour as the flower matures. When approximately 80% of the stigmas turn brown or orange, the plant is ready to be harvested. However, this indicator alone is not enough; It is always best to combine it with the observation of the trichomes to make a more accurate decision.
Environmental factors that influence harvesting
The environment in which the plant grows can also affect the timing of cutting. Weather conditions can bring forward or delay plant maturity, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on these factors:
- Temperature and humidity: A humid environment can encourage fungal growth in the final stage of cultivation, which can ruin an entire harvest. It is advisable to harvest on dry days to reduce this risk and maintain the relative humidity between 45-55% in the drying room.
- Light: The number of hours of light influences the maturity of the plant. In indoor crops, you can adjust the photoperiod to induce flowering and, therefore, harvest at the ideal time. Outdoors, the time of cutting will depend on the natural cycle of sunlight, so it is important to keep track of the season and latitude of the crop.
Essential tools for precise cutting
Efficient cutting is not only about deciding the right time, but also about having the right tools. Using the right tools helps prevent bud damage and make the process easier.
- Pruning shears: It is recommended to use sharp and small scissors for precise cuts. The fine ones are ideal for trimming the buds, while those with a long handle and greater resistance can be used to cut thick branches.
- Latex or nitrile gloves: They prevent contact with the sticky resin, making work easier and preventing the hands from being covered in resin.
- Collection trays: They make it easier to organize the cut parts and prevent the loss of valuable material.
- Isopropyl alcohol: To clean tools between cuts and prevent the spread of fungi or bacteria, ensuring a sanitized harvest.
Cannabis Cutting Methods
The way you cut your plant can influence drying and the quality of the final product. There are different techniques that you can apply according to your needs and the drying space you have. Understanding each of them will allow you to optimize the harvest and obtain a better result in terms of conservation and quality of the buds.
Wet vs. dry cutting
There are two main techniques for cutting the cannabis plant, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
- Wet cutting:
It is done just after harvest, removing large leaves before drying. It is ideal in humid environments to reduce the possibility of mold and speed up the drying process. By removing excess leaves immediately, moisture trapped in them is prevented from prolonging the drying time and affecting the quality of the curing.
- Dry cutting:
It consists of drying the entire plant before removing the leaves. It is preferred in dry climates, as it slows moisture loss and improves curing, allowing for better terpene preservation. This method also makes trimming easier, as dry leaves are easier to remove without damaging the buds.
Cutting the whole plant vs. cutting branch by branch
While both techniques can work well, the choice depends on the space and drying strategy:
- Cut the whole plant:
It is recommended if you have enough space to hang the entire plant. This allows for more even drying and better preservation of aromas. In addition, by keeping the plant intact, the handling of the buds is minimized, which helps to preserve their integrity and resin.
- Cut branch by branch:
It’s useful when space is tight or if you want more detailed control over every part of the drying process. Separating the branches facilitates air circulation and allows each part of the plant to dry out at a more consistent rate.
Natural hooks technique on branches
If you decide to cut the plant into branches, you can leave small natural “hooks” on the stems for easy hanging. This facilitates air circulation and even drying without the need for additional tools. In addition, this technique helps to better organize the drying space, allowing each branch to hang stably and without contact with other parts of the plant.
Pre-harvest trimming: is it worth it?
Some growers choose to partially remove the large leaves before the final cut. This helps improve ventilation and reduces moisture in the buds, decreasing the risk of mold. In addition, by removing some of the foliage before harvest, the subsequent workload is reduced, facilitating the trimming process and improving the quality of drying. However, this technique requires proper balance, as removing too many leaves before cutting could expose the buds to faster drying than ideal.
Conclusion
A proper harvest not only guarantees the quality of the buds, but also preserves the effort and dedication you have invested in your crop. From choosing the right time to using the right tools and applying the right cutting techniques, every step is critical to getting an optimal end product. Also, if you’re looking to explore different options within the world of cannabis, consider buy CBD flowers, an alternative that preserves the benefits of the plant without the psychoactive effects of THC.
By applying the tips in this guide, you’ll be one step closer to perfecting your technique and ensuring your harvest is a success. Happy harvesting! Anddon’t forget to visit maionais CBD and discover more.
References
- Noppawan, P., Bainier, C., Lanot, A., McQueen-Mason, S., Supanchaiyamat, N., Attard, T. M., & Hunt, A. J. (2022). Effect of harvest time on the compositional changes in essential oils, cannabinoids, and waxes of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). Royal Society Open Science, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.211699 (Original work published June 1, 2022)
