• When is the best time to harvest outdoor potted plants in the fall? According to Emily Gogol, co-founder of Grow It From Home, there are two things to consider. It's about what's going on in the plant's life and what's going on in your life.
• Harvesting involves cutting each bud-bearing branch off the main stem and using one of the branch's natural notches as a hook to hang it from a support structure of your choice, such as a clothesline, construction net, or drying rack. It's as simple as just
Back in the spring, Emily Gogol and Penny Barthel hit nurseries and garden centers in the Los Angeles area to spread a simple message in a series of “Grow It From Home” workshops sponsored by the Department of Agriculture. Growing cannabis in your backyard isn't just as easy as growing tomatoes, but it turns out Southern California is one of the best places on earth to do it.
As a result, dozens of first-time outdoor ganja growers (including myself) took the plunge and planted seeds. This is completely legal under California law as long as you are over 21 years old, have 6 or fewer plants, and keep them in a locked space out of public view. Other regulations vary depending on your location in your state.
Now that the outdoor growing season that started in spring is coming to an end (note: we're talking about photoperiod plants whose flowering period is triggered by a seasonal decrease in light), the Grow It From Home gang is back in action. SoCal Workshop Circuit, this time offering advice on how to properly harvest leaf babies.
Emily Gogol, co-founder of Grow It From Home, teaches a cannabis harvesting workshop at Fig Earth Supply in Los Angeles, offering practical advice for harvesting cannabis from your home garden.
(Allen J. Scherben/Los Angeles Times)
So last Saturday morning at Fig Earth Supply in the Mount Washington area, I listened to Mr. Gogol, GIFH co-founder and head gardener, give a hands-on lesson to more than a dozen first-time pot parents. I heard a myth-busting, science-based way to help you navigate the process. advice. It's not as simple as picking tomatoes off the vine, but it's not as complicated as the web might make you think.
Here's straight up dope (pun fully intended) about what you need to know to maximize the bounty of plants at the right time.
Harvest time: trichomes, stigmas, and “squush tests”
First of all, when is the right time to harvest that potted plant?According to Gogol, two considerations: what is happening in the life of the plant, and what is happening in your life. matter exists.
“There's no perfect time to harvest tomatoes in your garden, and there's no perfect time to harvest cannabis, so the 'when' is really between you and your plants,” says Gogol. said. “Actually, you have about a week or two to spare. If you harvest early, you'll end up with a lower yield on your plants. If you wait a week or two to harvest, that means your plants will yield more.” Maybe you're going on vacation and have to get it done and it looks about right…the first of October here in Los Angeles (before harvest). No problem at all going into the week.”
Ivan Vanishtok smells cannabis while attending a cannabis harvesting workshop at Fig Earth Supply in Los Angeles.
(Allen J. Scherben/Los Angeles Times)
As for when the plant is within that two-week period, Gogol pointed to three important indicators. “One is trichomes,” she said, referring to the crystal-like dust on buds and some leaves that appear clear or milky during most of a plant's growth cycle. (Fun fact: This is where THC (the substance that gets you high) is stored.) “If you have a jewelry loupe, you can see[the trichomes]very well. They're all or almost all brown. Once that happens, you may want to consider harvesting.
The second thing that Gogol said to note is the antennal-like stigma (sometimes incorrectly called a pistil, but the term more properly refers to the oval-shaped structure from which the stigma emerges). “You'll notice that it starts to wilt and look brown and dry,” she said. “And that's another indicator that things are going well.”
“And the third metric, and the one that I think is most helpful, is the squash test,” she said. “Each week starting in September, go to your plant and grab one of the buds (aka buds) and crush it. As the weeks go on, you'll notice that (the nugs) get thicker and less squishy. If it's really squishy, you want something firm, not spongy. Depending on the variety, you want something firm. As such, Squish Test is my go-to.”
As for me and my harvest, after the Figearth workshop, Gogol stopped by my two-plant garden for a personal consultation. Her conclusion? My plant babies (both Afternoon Punch varieties from Gogol's Oregon Infinite Tree Farm) were transferred to cloth pots outdoors as seedlings on July 1st, and will probably be ready for cutting boards in a week or so. It will be ready. What is the total amount of time spent in the LA sun? 89 days.
Pre-harvest preparation: Use the side of a clothesline to place in a cool, dark, dry place.
First-time cannabis parents Sarah Tomlinson (right) get harvesting guidance from Emily Gogol during a cannabis harvesting workshop at Fig Earth Supply in Los Angeles.
(Allen J. Scherben/Los Angeles Times)
While waiting for the characteristic color to change and the buds to firm up (that is, right now), Gogol suggested taking your time and doing a little pre-harvest preparation. First, find a place to dry your cannabis for about two weeks, allowing the moisture content to slowly drop from 80% to about 12%. Whether it's a guest room, closet, garage or side porch, the key things to keep in mind are temperature, humidity and light, she says.
“The temperature has to be below 80 degrees,” Gogol said. “And you want it to be dark. It doesn't have to be pitch black, but somewhere out of the sun. So something shady, like on a covered patio or under a tarp covered by a garden hoop. , the humidity should be low, below 60%. If you're concerned about drying in a slightly humid area, such as a basement or backyard, where there isn't much airflow, run a fan (on the plant). But the humidity here (in the Los Angeles area) is pretty good.'' (Outdoor humidity levels can be checked on most weather apps, and indoor humidity can be checked with an inexpensive hygrometer.)
When it comes to tools, all you need is a pair of trusty pruners (“You don't need anything special, 420,” she said. “A basic Felco pruner, which you probably already own. would be sufficient.”) How to hang plant branches while drying. Again, Gogol says it doesn't have to be anything fancy. You can use anything from a clothesline to a collapsible laundry rack or a collapsible mesh herb drying rack (some versions of mesh herb dryers, sold on Amazon for about $22, include one for garden use) Also included) scissors).
Drying time: How wet is the nug center?
The workshop covered what to look out for as plants mature and how to ensure a successful harvest.
(Allen J. Scherben/Los Angeles Times)
Once the pre-harvest preparations are complete and you and your plant are ready, harvesting is as simple as cutting each bud-containing branch off the main stem and using one of the branch's natural notches as a hook. Just hang it up. — Regarding the selected support structure.
If you're drying the branches of your plant in their entire cola (a cola is a dense mass of buds you've been crushing for the past four weeks), Gogol says the drying phase can take anywhere from seven to 14 days, sometimes longer. It says it should take a while. (You can cut this time by about half by “shelling” the buds, removing chunks the size of small popcorn kernels from the branches in one single, one-handed peeling motion.)
Gogol says there's only one surefire way to tell if your herbs are properly dried. After a week, she suggests removing a twig from the branch and cutting it open to check for moisture. “As water evaporates, it moves outward from the center,” she said. “So the wettest part of the nug will be in the center. If it still feels wet, wait another three days and then grab a few more prongs and cut them open. If I feel like I'm there, I'll probably wait another day and get it done.”
She added that the biggest mistake inexperienced ganja green thumbs make is bagging their harvest before the buds are completely dry, which can lead to mold growth. . Therefore, she suggests opening bagged (or bottled) herbs after a few days to check on their condition. “If it's damp inside, put it back in the mesh bag and let it dry for a few more days, then check again.”
Proper storage: Think Mylar or Mason jars. However, please avoid ziplock bags.
Emily Gogol looks at buds from Sarah Tomlinson's Afternoon Punch cannabis plant during a cannabis harvesting workshop at Fig Earth Supply in Los Angeles.
(Allen J. Scherben/Los Angeles Times)
For long-term storage of your backyard harvest, Gogol recommends storing it in airtight Mylar bags, mason jars, or cans, but avoid old-fashioned Ziploc bags. “You can use a Ziploc bag if you want, but we don't recommend it because the plastic can absorb (some of) the flavors and terpenes.”
You can store bagged buds the same way you store any other dried leaves you're familiar with. “Like tea, it bleaches and turns yellow when exposed to sunlight. It is also said that it can have an off-flavor,” she says. “So, just like with groceries, it's better to store them in a dark, cool place like your pantry.”
Gogol's parting advice for first-time pot parents? “Cannabis is a precious thing. And it's still illegal in many ways. But now you're part of the cannabis gardening community and you can grow it at home.” There's no need to be afraid, because you'll be able to get a lot of dried flowers, about 1 pound per plant.
Other than perhaps overstuffing the pantry.
Attend an online workshop
If you missed the in-person session, an online version of Grow It From Home's cannabis harvesting workshop is scheduled for October 3rd.
For additional information, please visit growitfromhome.com.
