Growing and harvesting cannabis are complex processes. Ensuring you have the best cannabis harvesting equipment is key to the success and quality of your product.
Poor monitoring, testing, and harvesting techniques can make your plant non-compliant (if THC levels are too high) if they grow mold or fungus, and ensure the terpenes and trichomes are at the right stage of development. So, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your crop.
Testing at the Vegetative Phase
The vegetative phase is where the plant is the growth period between germination and flowering. The phase following the vegetative phase is usually the best time to harvest. It’s essential to keep a close eye on cannabis plants during all phases and conduct testing during the vegetative phase to ensure the product will meet full quality while remaining below the maximum THC threshold.
Look At The Trichomes
Trichomes are the tiny resin glands that develop on the surface of the leaves. Trichomes have the appearance of sparkling and are often referred to as crystals. The resin trichomes contain most of the cannabinoids (CBD and THC) in the plant, so this is the most crucial consideration for many. It is the terpenes that determine the aroma and flavor of the product.
Choosing the right time to harvest depends almost entirely on the maturity of the trichomes. When approximately 20% of these crystals develop an amber or milky color, it is time to harvest. Cutting by hand will ensure the trichomes are not damaged during the harvesting process.
Harvesting Seeds
The hemp plant seeds are used worldwide as a highly nutritious food source, for oils, cosmetics, and supplements. The seeds gather around the head of the plant and are most efficiently harvested with combines and other equipment used for harvesting cannabis.
Hemp seeds do not need to be monitored as closely during the growing phase as plants intended for cannabinoids. However, they still should be kept an eye on so that the flowers do not exceed the THC limit. Seeds can be harvested from female plants once the buds are green and the seeds are visible.
Harvesting Hemp for Industrial Uses
Hemp is an ideal fiber for many uses, including textiles, paper, food (seeds). The stalks are used for rope, shoes, bioplastics, insulation, fuel, and much more. The very many uses of this product make it an excellent farming crop even if you aren’t in the recreational use field.
Cutting hemp fields requires specialized equipment for harvesting marijuana since all hemp should be harvested at around 10 cm from the ground to ensure more fiber and less wood. Like cannabis, hemp is highly likely to grow mold and fungus if it is not dried and stored correctly.
After the Harvest
Using professional cannabis harvesting equipment, you can ensure the proper conditions for your flowers. To retain the potency of the resin trichomes, the harvested flowers should be kept in low light, away from direct sunlight. The temperature should remain between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius (60-70 degrees Fahrenheit). Proper ventilation will diminish the chances of mildew or fungus taking hold and growing on the drying plants, which would ruin the product.
For the best cannabis harvesting machines, look into Harvest Supply Canada, and contact us for more information about how to get the most out of your crops.