Harvesting The Marijuana Plant

You will need: magnifier, scissors, paper storage bags, light, and a workspace.

Harvesting a marijuana plant is the most simple process of the entire grow. You simply cut the plant down, removing the buds to cure and dry, while saving the leaves to process or dispose of.

The time to harvest your marijuana plant depends on your personal preferences. Some people will harvest immediately, when the trichomes are clear or milky white, to obtain a more cerebral high. Some prefer to wait until the trichomes are turning to an amber color, or darker, to get more of the couchlock effect.

In order to accurately gauge the right time to harvest your marijuana plant, a magnifier of some sort is essential. These can be anything from a simple round magnifying glass, to an expensive microscope with built-in lights. Most prefer to use an electronics magnifier - compact, relatively inexpensive, available for purchase at any electronics shop, and with a built-in light.

Sharp scissors in several different sizes are also essential. Using scissors gives a fast, clean harvest, and prevents damage to the buds.The smaller pairs can be used to get into the tiniest places, while the larger pairs can be used lower down the stalk, toward the roots.

Overhead light is best, although a good work lamp will do fine - just make sure there is enough light to see into the marijuana plants.

Plain paper is much better than newsprint, as most newsprint contains a tiny amount of lead in the ink. Butchers` paper, or paper grocery bags,spread over a flat surface, are a great time-saver also. This gives plenty of room to work, and to lay the buds out, then the leaves.

Starting at the top, snip the buds close to the stem. When cutting lower down the stalk, leave enough room on the stems so that they can be attached to a line or wire, for hang-drying.

After the buds are trimmed, snip the leaves off. Some prefer to cut the leaves close to the stems, while others prefer to leave the stems on. These can be placed into a paper bag and closed up for keeping, until used.

Dispose of all extra or unneeded material, and clean up your work area. Now you can begin the drying process...