The right time to harvest marijuana can make or break your yield. Too early and you lose potency; too late and you’ll have a sleep-inducing batch of weed.
Luckily, there are a few simple ways to determine when your buds are ready for harvesting. The two most reliable are visual and chemical testing.
Full Moon
The full moon is an ideal time to harvest your marijuana plants. The plant grows vigorously during this phase due to the light of the moon and the gravity force it exerts.
In order to get the best results for your cannabis grow, it is important to establish a lunar calendar that takes into account all the phases of growth. This will ensure that your plant has a healthy and productive growth cycle.
When the full moon comes, take some time to focus on your intentions for the coming weeks. This will help you to release anything that is holding you back from the life you want.
The Full Moon will also be a good opportunity to let go of any anger or aggression that you may have towards yourself or others. If you can, dance it out or wear a pretty dress and let loose for the night.
Waning Moon
The waning moon is a phase of the lunar cycle that occurs between a full and a new moon. It is a period of time in which the illuminated part of the moon decreases from its full size until it reaches 50%.
During the waning moon, plants begin to focus on their lower parts as sap concentrates in the underground roots. That is why it’s a good idea to trim the branches during this period as you will be able to see them clearly.
If you’re growing cannabis, you should try to harvest your marijuana during the waning moon phase as it is when the plants are at their most potent and ripe for harvesting. However, you should note that if you do harvest during this phase, your trichomes will turn into amber trichomes, which can lead to the loss of THC and terpenes.
The waning moon is also a great time to declutter your home, so you can create space for your mind and energy to feel clear. It can also be a good time to evaluate your relationships and old habits.
New Moon
The new moon is an energizing time, full of fresh energy that’s ideal for starting new habits, initiating life changes and looking ahead to the future. However, if you’re not in the right mindset, you could miss out on all that this phase has to offer and end up feeling stuck.
One way to stay energized during this time is to write down your intentions and commit them to memory. Put them somewhere you can see and refer to them often, and make sure to check back in with them during the next full moon.
Cannabis cultivators often use the moon’s lunar calendar to optimise plant health and maximize overall yields. This approach involves syncing up growth cycles with the moon’s illumination and gravitational pulls, to ensure your plants are healthy, strong and thriving throughout their grow cycle.
Sun
The Sun is a complex ball of energy. Its core is filled with hydrogen and helium gas, and it’s divided into three zones: the radiative zone, which accounts for 45 percent of the sun’s radius; the convective zone, which accounts for 30 percent; and the photosphere, which carries photons outward from the core.
The radiative zone transfers energy to the convective zone by interactions between photons and gas molecules. This transfer process takes time and can be influenced by conditions in the convective zone.
Because the process takes time, it isn’t always possible to predict exactly when your cannabis plant will be ready for harvest. However, there are some general guidelines that can help.
