Nearing Harvest - Need Advice

My Afghan is nearing harvest. There are a couple of large buds on the interior of the plant that are mature; the balance of the buds are about 3 weeks out. The plant is in a 10 gallon container. I have been feeding with Jack's classic bloom. Last applied Neem oil 4 days ago. So,

1. Should I cut the two mature buds now and let the others continue to mature, or just wait 3 weeks, and harvest all at once?
2. What's the best way to dry these things?
3. Should I cut off all water a few days prior to harvest when the plaant is finally uprooted?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I have attached a couple of photos. Thanks in advance!

You can cut the buds if you are sure they are mature.

Cut them and hang them in a well ventilated dark space for 5ish days.

Water, I'm not sure it matters, aslong as you've cut nutes.

Thanks, I'll cut the nutes about a week before harvest. Not sure how long to cut the Neem application since I don't know how long the Neem oil applied to the leaves will affect the taste. I recollect reading somewhere that 3 weeks should be adequate. Cheers!

dude i have no idea, but i've never harvested before, and i was wondering how does this<img src="http://boards.cannabis.com/attachments/basic-growing/151831d1186597699-nearing-harvest-need-advice-more-aug-8-2008-001.jpg"> turn into the stuff you get in a sack from some guy in town?

LOL. No it's something you eat! It's in the chicory family and consumed widely in Italy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RetiredFF

My Afghan is nearing harvest. There are a couple of large buds on the interior of the plant that are mature; the balance of the buds are about 3 weeks out. The plant is in a 10 gallon container. I have been feeding with Jack's classic bloom. Last applied Neem oil 4 days ago. So,

1. Should I cut the two mature buds now and let the others continue to mature, or just wait 3 weeks, and harvest all at once?
2. What's the best way to dry these things?
3. Should I cut off all water a few days prior to harvest when the plaant is finally uprooted?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I have attached a couple of photos. Thanks in advance!

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1. The trichomes determine harvest time. (pocket microscope is best)
2. Hang on clothes line, in a dark.cool room. (65-70 degrees, around 50% or less humidity, indirect air flow) 1-2 weeks, mason jars for the final cure.
3. cutting off the water reduces drying time.

enjoy....:thumbsup:

wow, amazing plants....they look a ways away from harvest but really the only way to tell is look at the color of the trichs under a pocket microscope (you can get em for under 20bucks) with such an amazing plant don't blow it by not investing a small price in a pocket scope that you can use over and over again

The plants are in 10 gallon pots. I do have a pocket microscope, but need to practice a bit with respect to viewing the trichomes. I'll get the hang of it! Thanks.

The buds are producing in a major way now, and have been for about 4 weeks. The plants were germinated in mid February. They have gone into major production now. I have two white widows that were started in May, and are now about 8' tall. They are also starting to bud aggressively now.

This thread has been jacked. Now it is cleaned up a bit. Bluntsmokah, you already have enough threads going with that SAME question... grrrrrr

that plants r not even close give atleast 2 more weeks maybe even early or mid oct.
peace

dont speed it and disappoint urself.

Here are some updated photos of my girls. I have cut the fertilizer on the Afghan. In two more weeks I will harvest some buds on the lower portion of the plant that are nearly fully mature. The very large and thick buds on the top of the plant can mature for a few more weeks. Is it advisable to reapply fertilizer after I cut the lower buds? Also, the second pic is a shot of the white widows. They are 8' tall now and really starting to develop buds!!!!

no dont apply more fertilizer if you are getting ready to harvest. (which i dont think you are) if you want a sample take a nice bud and thats all. leave the rest to mature. you really do have a little while to go still. wait it will be worth it.

Thanks. The picture on the left is a bit deceiving; it's a bud about 12" long and 3" thick with lots of leaves. The lower branches on the plant have buds that are almost to the point where they are not getting any larger, and the trichomes are turning golden. My plan was to snip the mature buds, and let the ones (pictured) at the top of the plant continue to grow. I don't need the smoke, but I just wanted to harvest the buds when optimal. This plant was germinated in mid February.

Seriously, they look like they have a long time to go before harvesting my friend. They look happy and healthy and seem they will produce quite a bit for you if you leave em. Seriously They should be in floer around the 8-9 weeks margin. I have some plants that look as they are at the same point in their life and they have only been in flower like 3-4 weeks.
I would seriously reconsider. They will be a lot bigger than that. How long have they been flowering?
Anyone else... can you help me out here? I may be wrong for that strain, but it looks way too immature. you will have trichomes in different stages in their individual lives as the buds grow. As the buds grow new and MORE thrichomes will grow as well. When the plant ends the life cycle is when you should really be paying attention to the trichs.
IMHO
elway

yeah after looking again, I am 100% sure that you are not even close to harvest time. Maybe take a picture of the buds you are wanting to harvest, post em and we can help you out..
Here is what a plant looks like when it is close to harvest time

OK. You guys have convinced me! The plant stays intact. My camera won't do justice to a close picture of the lower buds; otherwise I would post one. I guess I'm just a little impatient. It's been 25 years since I last grew a plant, and have never done it before inside a greenhouse. I'll put the plant back on small doses of fertilizer when watering. Thanks much.

Your welcome. I am glad that you have decided to let her grow. I know about impatience... We all get excited. How long has she been flowering for? That way we can help you on harvest times etc..
good luck,
Elway

Shame on me for not recording this, but I believe she started to flower in earnest around mid June 1. So, that's about 8 weeks.

Is she outdoors/ indoors what kind os lights etc... give me more info if you can....

elway how did you pull that off? all tied together? retired, they look like they should at 3-4 weeks of flowering you will probably want to go to at least 7wks and maybe 8.

twoguys- No I don't grow it all tied together. It has 6 main colas and when in the grow romm it is kinda sprawled out so that the smaller colas get just as much attention. To be honest with you, I am quite surprised at how well she is growing and how much she has on her, but I feel blessed. To take her out and water her, I have to tie all her colas up together because they are very very heavy and will probably snap without having some sort of support.
I did a different topping on her than I did others for an experiment and I will say that is worked very very well. I do not think I have had such a yield from a single plant. Actually I know that I haven't. Her Veg stage was a bit longer but well well worth it I would say!
I haven't harvested her yet. I will check trich's tomorrow again.. I am guessing a few more days maybe 5...

looking good just make sure you stop all nutes 10-14 days before harvest and then FLUSH!
otherwise you'll have nasty tasting stuff....nice work!

Elway, the plants are in a greenhouse. Central coast. All are planted in 10 gallon containers. 4 Afghans and two white widows. Didn't intend to grow this many, but only two of the seeds turned out to be male. Don't know what I am going to do with it all. Xmas gifts for all!!! The only real problem has been with mites. I have it controlled now. Used neem oil every 3 days for two weeks. I am keeping a close eye on the plants and will spot treat any leaves that show signs of re-investation. If the widows get any taller, they are going to grow right through the roof vents!

Wow... you need to take pictures of all your plants and post em. I am interested in seeing them now! LOL I have always wanted to grow WW after I smoked it in amsterdam but It smelly! If you keep em going you are going to have one hell of a lot of bud!!! I will be following this until they are done. We need more pics though to help you out mate!!!
pics! pics! pics! LOL
Well you have them in big enough containers. Good for you! I can tell you that it is a pain to have to repot a tree of a plant. I just did it a couple weeks ago. NOT FUN Keep up with the neem oil VERY important! I wish I could be there to help you! LOL
what kind of soil are you using and nutes at what regimen?

You're going to cringe. I used Orchard Supply potting soil! At first I supplemented with fish emulsion. Now I am using Jack's Classic Blossom Booster (10-30-20). I use 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water. Each plants get a gallon of water about every other day. Temperature in the greenhouse is about 85 during the day, and drops to about 55 to 60 at night. I'll take a pic of the widows for you.

FF...ok , here is some advice to you. On your watering try something new. This is something I learned in my first few grows. If they are in 10 gallon buckets, you need to give them more water on the days you water. Just watering to where water comes out is not enough. You need to water them with enough water/nutes that you flush out the old stuff from your last feedings. It helps give ALL fresh nutes and water and clears otherwise good chances of having buildups in your soil. In a ten gallon bucket, I would push at least 4-5 gallons through it each time then water again ONLY when the soil is DRY. cannabis Needs WET AND DRY PERIODS. Every other day is too much unless it is real dry. If you put a lot of water through them as suggested you will not have to water as much probably (unless it is REAL dry in your green house) and your plants will be thanking you for the refreshment. Make your gallons as you normally do with your nutes and ph balanced water and push em through. I have a 5 gallon bucket and some two gallons. On the 5 I push 4 gallons per watering/feeding and 2 gallons on the 2 gallon buckets.
Also what is the recommended strength on the bottle of your nutes? As far as the soil, if it's not killing them, hey can't bitch at you! LOL
Good luck,
Elway

For Jack's Classic Bloom, they recommend 1/4 tsp per gallon at each watering or 1/2 tsp per gallon every other week. I was using half the recommended dose (1/8 tsp per gallon) with every watering. The white widows are the ones that seem to dry out the fastest. The shade leaves really start to droop after two days and the soil is dry. These plants are about 8' tall now. I'll give your method a try.

Yeah I was thinking that if you water as I said, they may actually get a bit more nutes as well. They are yellowing from the pics that you showed me. I think you need to up your nute dosage actually getting it to the recommended dosage. They are lacking nitrogen! i would increase it to 3/4 the recommended dose instead of half. If after that they show no adverse effects like nute burn (which I do not think they will), increase to the full recommended dosage after a couple of feedings/waterings in between. (to give them time to adjust to the upgrade)
ONE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION:
Do you have a PH kit? If so what is the ph of your water/food before you give it?
By using my method, I think your plants will be a lot happier. You may or may not have to water as much. Seeing that they are 8' tall and in a 10 gallon bucket (which is just fine) they have a lot of roots in there which do not retain moisture like a lot of soil would. Even if, continue to water as I said and increase those nutes.. I think they will become a lot happier and greener!
I can't wait to see. Don't worry though, I will be here to help you along if you run into a snag. I think that we will just be able to celebrate happier plants though.
Good luck,
Elway

Thanks again. Tomorrow I will begin the new technique. I'll be sure to get before and after photos for you. Oh, I do have a Ph kit, but I think it is pretty inadequate. Also, I have not tested the Ph of my water. I'll be more prepared next season! I'll be purchasing some quality equipment later this year.

Wait...woooahhh You HAVEN"T been testing the ph of your water?? What kind of ph kit do you have?? That is up there with THE MOST important part of growing... Seriously getting one now is not too late.. They are not that expensive get a simple kit from General hydroponics from your local hydro store. It comes with everything you need. PH up and down, tester solution and a plastic container to put your water in to test it before you put it in the soil. You want to see a huge difference in your plants, that is the FIRST place to start!

...a cheap moisture meter is handy too...couple of bucks at Walmart....:smokin:...

Elway and Dutch, I tested the PH of the water. It's between 7.6 and 7.7

OK now I am ready to decrease the PH level of the water. 3 drops per gallon will take it down to 6.9. I have read that the ideal PH for pot is slightly acidic, at about 6. What do you guys recommend?
1. Should I take the PH of the water down all at once?
2. What PH level do you recommend?
3. Can I add the fertilizer to the adjusted water the first time or should I wait until the second watering?

FF- This is what you do. Well, what I do anyway and have never had ANY problems. Well, once in a couple years.. Anyway. Get the gallon jugs out that you will be using to water your plants. Measure out your nutes (ferts) and put it in, add whatever else (molasses or whatever) fill it up halfway with water, give it a good shake, then fill it up all the way. Check and balance your ph as needed. Do it for all the water you feed. You will be able to get to a point to know exactly what you will need for the right ph, but always test it anyway just to make sure....
as far as the ph, the lower it is, the more nutes you baby will take up but as you know it will lockout if it is too low. 5.8-6.3 is pretty good. I personally ph it to 6-6.3
EVERYTHING that you put into your plants soil needs to be ph balanced!! And remember, more gallons are better than less! Seriously. Good luck and get back to me..
Elway

OK, balance the ph of the water after I add the nutes to the water. Makes sense! Thanks.

Your welcome. Remember to flush a few of those nuted, and balanced gallon jugs through!! Did you get a new ph kit??

I borrowed one. Trying to decide what kind of PH kit to get. I was looking at the Milwauke units. Discovered that we have a major hyponics store locally. They recommended another brand. It's less costly. They recommended to test the water going in and coming out. I thought that I needed to test the soil. A unit with a probe should do both.

I have never tested my soil...Because I water so much when I do, I know that I am flushing out any buildups when I water. I know that when I am done watering, the only thing in there is ph balanced water, nutes and molasses or whatever I have added. Seriously the best thing to get underneath a PH pen (expensive) is General Hydroponics kit. As I said earlier in one of my posts, it's inexpensive and works great. I also like that the bigger bottles of Ph uo and Ph down and the solution itself for refills later on are also inexpensive. I always look in the long run for cost effectiveness. If you run 5-6 gallons through those buckets, your soil and runoff ph will be just as you put in it in the first place. By doing it that way (a lot of water at a time) literaaly is preventing a lot of issues in the future as well as giving your plant FRESH nutes and water each time. Otherwise it gets some of what you put in and some of what was leftover, then the two combined will change your soil ph and could potentially cause lockouts and burns etc..
I honestly think that if you just flush a lot of water through with balanced water and nutes, all the other will be fine. At least it has with me and I have been doing it that way since shortly after I began growing. I don't test soil ph nor do I test runoff water and my plants are extremely healthy. I also baby them and spend a lot of time with them. After you have been growing a bit, you will begin to be able just to listen to them and know by looking at them, exactly what they need or don't need. I know it sounds weird, but it's true. Keep me informed, and let me know how it all is working out.
Good luck,
elway