Producing and Harvesting Cannabis: A Comprehensive Breakdown
Hemp has been around for thousands of years!
But is hemp cannabis?
The answer is yes and no.
Cannabis is a broad term for a large variety of plants that are part of the cannabis genus. Hemp belongs to this genus, but it’s not necessarily cannabis. The criteria for being cannabis is having 3 or more flavonoid compounds known as tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. Also, to be considered hemp, the plant must have extremely low THC levels.
If you’re thinking about harvesting cannabis plants that are rich in cannabinoids like THC and CBD, then this article’s for you! From picking the right strain, to patiently planting, we’ll walk you through the best growing tips.
Read on to learn what goes into growing cannabis like a pro.
The Difference in THC Levels Between Strains
How potent do you want your buds to be? Are you looking to grow an Indica or Sativa dominant strain? What type of CBD ratios were you hoping for? To answer these questions, you’ll need to set clear goals for your plants. Next, set out to find strains that can exceed your expectations.
Picking Marijuana Strains
Let’s take a look at some of the more popular strains and their CBD to THC ratios. When it comes to picking marijuana strains that are good for pain relief, Indica is a safe bet. For example, AC/DC is an Indica dominant strain that crosses Afghan with Cannatonic.
Users say that smoking AC/DC produces relaxing effects, that are great for pain relief! One of the reasons AC/DC Is so great at silencing pain has to do with its high CBD count. Research shows CBD is great at treating all sorts of chronic pain. When you couple high CBD percentages with THC, cannabis can outperform most prescription pain pills.
What’s considered a high CBD ratio? If you had 25 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBD, it’d be a 5:1 CBD ratio. A 5:1 CBD ratio is considered to be a highly potent CBD strain.
When a strain has significantly CBD than THC, the result is a less intoxicating experience. The CBD counteracts the psychoactive properties of THC. Instead of feeling super high, users are more likely to feel super chill.
Growing Cannabis With Quality Seeds
Now it’s time to buy the seeds you’ll be planting. As you learned earlier, there are different types of cannabis plants. When picking seeds, make sure to buy from a reputable seller. If possible, buy directly from the grower.
Try making friends with farmers in your region or someone that’s growing in your area. If you’re not able to personally know the grower, look for someone who is verified on websites that sell seeds. This way you can rest assured knowing that the seeds will be legitimate and fresh.
Tips for Buying Online
If you have to buy your seeds online, how can you be sure you’re making a safe purchase? For starters, thoroughly vet the online website. Look for reviews on Reddit and forums where people discuss the company you’re buying from. Look at other websites that sell seeds, to see what type of reputation they have.
Are you looking for more than just seeds? You can easily find other products online like Bulk Crystal THC For Sale. Once you’ve decided on a reputable source, try not to order until you’re ready to plant. When you are ready, make your purchase on a secured internet connection, like your home base.
Creating Your Ideal Grow
Patience and preparation are key when it comes to harvesting cannabis plants. That means getting things right before you plant the first seed. Instead of rushing into things, take your time to set things up the right way.
For instance, be sure to follow proper safety precautions when growing cannabis indoors. It is important that you set up a safe and controlled environment. You don’t want anything to catch on fire or get too hot.
You also want to make sure your grow area is secure and enclosed so that no one can see it. You don’t need anyone coming snooping around in your business! Completing these tasks means you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor later on.
Keep Things Clean
We can’t stress enough how important it is to keep your grow area sanitized. Always wash your hands before handling the plants, and wear gloves. It’s also a good idea to limit who has contact with your precious cannabis babies.
As they grow, plants are susceptible to fungus, bacteria, and other foreign particles. The more controlled your environment, the better your chances for thriving will be.
Prune at the Right Time
Pruning is one of the most important parts of growing potent cannabis strains. You should prune the plant during the vegetative cycle. For those new to growing, veg is the time when your plant will take all its energy gathering nutrients from soil and light. Pruning gives a boost of energy and can increase growth rates.
When you’re cutting off leaves, cut off the small, useless ones. However, avoid cutting off the larger leaves. Look for signs of fungus or parasites when you’re pruning.
Handling Cannabis Parasites
What should you do if bugs start attacking your cannabis plants? First, don’t panic! Most of the time, it is just a harmless type of bug. However, if your crops are badly infested, you may need to take action. Common pests include mites and aphids.
Mites affect the growing tips of your cannabis plant. Aphids feed off the leaves and can cause deformities. If you notice either of these pests, it is important to act quickly.
Find the right pesticide for your plants and protect them from further damage. Luckily, parasites won’t necessarily kill your plants. However, infestations can weaken or stunt them. Make sure to treat any parasites before they have a chance to ruin your crops!
Harvesting Cannabis Plants Fully
Your plants are mature and ready for harvest. Now what? You’ll want to cut down the entire plant, leaving no leaf unturned. When you’re harvesting marijuana for the first time, it can be easy to forget some leaves. Don’t make that mistake!
When your cannabis plants are ready for harvest, trim off all of the stems and branches. The best way to do this is with a pair of pruning shears. It is important to use a sharp tool because it will make the task easier.
Once your plants have been harvested, you’ll want to remove all of the soil from their roots. To do this, let the plant hang upside down until it is totally dry. When drying out the roots, make sure they aren’t wet or damp at all. Leaving them in standing water can cause mold and other problems.
How to Hang Cannabis Plants
Hanging the plants upside down will ensure that humidity is removed. To hang your cannabis, you’ll need a string or wire for each of the branches. You should leave 4-6 inches between each branch. If you want to speed up drying time, turn the plants several times while they are hanging. This will ensure that all sides of your plants get equal drying time.
Once you’ve hung your plant, make sure that there is constant airflow. Open windows or turn on fans to ensure the humidity is removed.
When you’re hanging cannabis plants, it is important that their leaves aren’t touching each other or any walls/floors in the room. Touching the walls can cause mold, and the leaves touching each other will cause rot or fungus.
Curing Cannabis Plants
In order to cure your marijuana at home, you’ll need to use a drying/curing chamber. A curing chamber is like an airtight box that sucks out any extra moisture from your cannabis. You want to remove as much moisture as you can from your plants because it prevents mold.
In order to create a curing chamber, you’ll need a large cardboard box. To attach the top of the box, use duct tape or strong packing tape. You’ll also want several fans or air conditioners in your room that are pointed at the box. Pointing the fans directly at the box will increase air circulation and speed up drying/curing time.
Once you’ve created your curing chamber, you’ll need to put the plants inside. The box should have a few inches of space between the top and bottom of the box. You want to make sure that airflow is still present in your chamber.
Before you put your plants inside, let them hang outside for a day or two. The extra time will ensure that the plants are completely dried and ready to cure.
You’ll want to leave the cannabis in your chamber for at least 7 days or more depending on preference. When you take the plants out of the chamber, store them in an airtight container until you are ready to use them. This will preserve potency by keeping out pests and insects.
Producing Cannabis You’re Proud Of
There you have it! An inside look at what goes into harvesting cannabis, the right way. As you can see, a successful harvest is all about taking your time from start to finish. From planting your seeds to cutting down your plants, you want to make sure that every detail is perfect.
The extra time will ensure that you have a wonderful harvest with lots of potent flowers. Go ahead and decide what strain you’re interested in, by looking at the different CBD to THC ratios. For more tips, read another article!