Is harvesting the complete cannabis plant all at once the best method? Or is it better to harvest each bud when they are ready? What's the best practice?
Let's get something straight on the legality of this issue. Growing marijuana, and therefore harvesting it, is legal in many places. It's legal for medical purposes in Canada. It's also legal under state law in many US states. In Alaska the state constitution provides protection for growing up to 24 plants. You are also allowed, by law, to possess 4 ounces of marijuana under certain conditions without penalty.
Now that's out of the way let's get back to the question. Should you harvest everything at once? Or should you clip the plant bud by bud?
I say clip the colas one by one. The ones at the top of the plant mature first and grow biggest. However, if you leave the ones down below a little longer they'll also get bigger. This technique is based, of course, on a smaller, indoor garden.
There are reasons to harvest all at once. If your garden is remote and time is an issue then you have to do what you have to do. Or, if you're growing a big crop you probably need to be efficient.
There could be other reasons. Weather or season may make a complete harvest worthwhile. If you've got a hidden grow and you're afraid someone has discovered it you might be better safe than sorry. If mold sets in you should harvest everything before damage spreads.
On the other hand, if there's no pressing reason to harvest all at once, don't do it. The buds go through a process. They begin to develop. Then they grow bigger and the hairs and crystals swell and multiply. Then they start to dry out and turn orange or red.
Let each bud develop on it's own time. Cannabis concentrates it's growth hormone on the highest tips of the plant. This means that the top buds grow and mature first. They will also be the biggest.
You can actually manipulate this trait and bend, or espalier the plant. This involves bending the tips down, and results in lower nodes developing more. That's another post.
But, if you clip off the top cola then you are. by default, manipulating the growth hormone. It will have to go to the lower buds. They will grow bigger and develop some more.
That means, of course, that you don't want to just clip off the top bud at it's base. Take the bud and all of the plant between it and the next bud down. There are two advantages to this. First, you leave some stem that helps with curing. Second, you divert the plant's energy to the next bud in line.
So, should you harvest cannabis all at once? My answer is only if you have to. Otherwise harvest each bud when it's ready. You'll be happier with the results and you'll get more bud.
Let's get something straight on the legality of this issue. Growing marijuana, and therefore harvesting it, is legal in many places. It's legal for medical purposes in Canada. It's also legal under state law in many US states. In Alaska the state constitution provides protection for growing up to 24 plants. You are also allowed, by law, to possess 4 ounces of marijuana under certain conditions without penalty.
Now that's out of the way let's get back to the question. Should you harvest everything at once? Or should you clip the plant bud by bud?
I say clip the colas one by one. The ones at the top of the plant mature first and grow biggest. However, if you leave the ones down below a little longer they'll also get bigger. This technique is based, of course, on a smaller, indoor garden.
There are reasons to harvest all at once. If your garden is remote and time is an issue then you have to do what you have to do. Or, if you're growing a big crop you probably need to be efficient.
There could be other reasons. Weather or season may make a complete harvest worthwhile. If you've got a hidden grow and you're afraid someone has discovered it you might be better safe than sorry. If mold sets in you should harvest everything before damage spreads.
On the other hand, if there's no pressing reason to harvest all at once, don't do it. The buds go through a process. They begin to develop. Then they grow bigger and the hairs and crystals swell and multiply. Then they start to dry out and turn orange or red.
Let each bud develop on it's own time. Cannabis concentrates it's growth hormone on the highest tips of the plant. This means that the top buds grow and mature first. They will also be the biggest.
You can actually manipulate this trait and bend, or espalier the plant. This involves bending the tips down, and results in lower nodes developing more. That's another post.
But, if you clip off the top cola then you are. by default, manipulating the growth hormone. It will have to go to the lower buds. They will grow bigger and develop some more.
That means, of course, that you don't want to just clip off the top bud at it's base. Take the bud and all of the plant between it and the next bud down. There are two advantages to this. First, you leave some stem that helps with curing. Second, you divert the plant's energy to the next bud in line.
So, should you harvest cannabis all at once? My answer is only if you have to. Otherwise harvest each bud when it's ready. You'll be happier with the results and you'll get more bud.
About the Author:
Learn about ways to grow marijuana? Castulo Zane knows all about it. If you want to talk marijuana seeds, google www.growyourownstone.com.