Plant almost ready for harvest -- what do I do now?

[cannabrit]

I'm approaching the 9th week of flower -- indica strain. Starting to see a few amber trichs, many cloudy, a few still clear. Pistules are about 90 brown, except at the very top of the top cola.

I'm going to flush in about 2 days. Is just one flush sufficient? After flush should I put the plant in darkness for 48 hours? After the 48 do I chop or just let the plant dry out for a while?

All help appreciated! Thanks.

cannabrit Reviewed by cannabrit on 02-15-2012. Plant almost ready for harvest -- what do I do now? I'm approaching the 9th week of flower -- indica strain. Starting to see a few amber trichs, many cloudy, a few still clear. Pistules are about 90 brown, except at the very top of the top cola. I'm going to flush in about 2 days. Is just one flush sufficient? After flush should I put the plant in darkness for 48 hours? After the 48 do I chop or just let the plant dry out for a while? All help appreciated! Thanks. Rating: 5

[PhatJay]

Indicas usually take 7-9 weeks, don't bother looking at the pistols, use the trichs to judge when to harvest. A plant needs to be flushed for 7 days. So... for a period 7 days, stick to your normal feeding frequency, but feed with plain PH adjusted water.


People have differing opinions on the efficacy of 48 hours of darkness before harvest.


I let my plants dry a little in the pots, while under the lighting. I do 7 days flush, then let the plants use up SOME of the water they have left (usually about 2 days). I find this helps with drying times.

[cannabrit]

well, last watering, I gave it just plain distilled water.

And I water about every third day. So I guess the best course of action is water twice more; putting her in the dark after that final water. Then chop after the dark period.

I hear good things about the dark period and that, at minimum, it does no harm, so I definitely want to include a dark period.

Sounds like a plan?

[Dutch Pimp]

"I love it when a plan comes together"-A-Team

[PhatJay]

Sounds like a plan?

Yup, sounds like a great plan, the darkness will definitely not do any harm.

[Minnesnowta]

I would do more than one watering worth of a flush. You want the plant to draw in the water and release it a couple times to really accomplish a good flushing. Distilled water is fine, as long as you're managing the PH. Other than that I am in favor of the darkness period, I have done it with some plants and haven't with others, and haven't really noticed any difference.. they're great no matter what, but like you said, it can't do any harm I don't think. Other than that, harvest when the trichs are to your liking. Personally I harvest a little bit earlier than the 50% amber trich schedule that a lot of people go with. I have found that when I harvest a little earlier, by the time its dried and cured a bit many more of the trichs are amber than when I harvested. So basically if I were to harvest at 50%, my final result would be 75% amber or so. Thats just my experience.

Then of course... enjoy smoking/consuming. Post some pics!

[cannabrit]

So basically if I were to harvest at 50%, my final result would be 75% amber or so. Thats just my experience.

Wow that's a lot of amber. depends on the kind of buzz you want I guess... How long does it take to go from the first amber trichs to 50% ?...

[Minnesnowta]

Thats a tough one to answer haha, I'm not sure if anyone here could give you a reasonably accurate answer on that question. It varies so much from strain to strain and different growing conditions. All you can really do is watch it closely. I've had plants that can change heavily in a week, and another one I am thinking of specifically that was probably 3-4 weeks from the time I saw the first amber trichs to the time I harvested at less than 50% amber trichs. Then after drying and curing it had more amber trichs than white/clear. Indica vs sativa probably has the most to do with the trichome color conversion time. Being that you're growing an indica it should mature faster. Maybe someone else here can give you a better idea than I can but its just a game of patience. Post some pics if you can.