For many novice growers, determining when to harvest cannabis plants can be a perplexing proposition. At their peak of ripeness, cannabis flowers will be rich in cannabinoids and have a scent that is bristling with aromatic terpenes. When harvested too early, buds will not fully develop their potency and aroma. And if you wait too long, the flowers will be past their prime.
Seed houses and clone nurseries usually include flowering times in the descriptions of their products, but these should be treated as averages instead of the exact timing for optimal harvest. You should use these estimates to help you plan your garden calendar. But for the best buds, you’ll have to monitor your plants and check the flowers for ripeness to help you decide when to harvest your cannabis.
One popular method for ascertaining when to harvest cannabis is based on observing the flowers’ fine, hairlike projections known as stigmas. When they first emerge from the flowers, stigmas are usually white or cream-colored, although some strains will exhibit other hues including pink. As the buds mature, the oldest stigmas begin to wither and darken, generally to an orange or reddish color.
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