I just harvested my white widow, 1st time drying and curing

[NugNewb]

Don't worry Op, you will still get high, I did the same mistake last grow, and harvested too early, I still loved to smoke it. Homegrown is the best, even when you fuck up. Can only imagine what that smoke would have been like if harvested properly. It's a mistake you only do once, next time you'll wait more, first time I harvested at day 56, now I'm at day 70 and I'll wait as much as it's needed. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your results, and don't worry, this ain't a race we will all get there, baby steps.

Thanks, just started my new strain, strawberry diesel. Have 3 seedlings just getting started. You are right though ,I will not do that again...LOL...

 

[NugNewb]

2nd Method to Identify Harvest Time: Trichome Method
(how to harvest cannabis using the accurate method)

This harvest method tends to be more precise than looking at the pistils of your cannabis plant.

Look at trichomes under a magnifier to harvest cannabis buds with the desired THC levels

View attachment 4949427

When is the Best Time to Harvest Marijuana Buds? | Grow Weed Easy

Harvesting cannabis at the right time is just as important as how you grow the plant. Harvest marijuana buds too soon and you lose potency and yields; too late and you can end up making a batch of sleep medicine. Learn how to harvest at the perfect time, every time! Here's what you need...

www.growweedeasy.com

This is the pic that I was following when I harvested.... I was so into those damn Trichomes I bought a magnified glass, a jeweler's loop, and a small portable LED microscope cause I was chasing the half clear, half cloudy trichome phase. But I think I get it now. I am not going to even pay attention to it and wait for the overall pic of the flower and when it matures. I just started some Strawberry diesel, have 3 seedlings in the bin. This will be my 2nd grow to term and I don't want to mess this one up. There was a lot of good points on this thread and I am so glad to have read them all.

 

[NugNewb]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I have learned more on this thread than since I have joined. I Just started on my next grow, my second over all and I am not going to mess this one up. I just got stuck on those damn Trichomes and spent hours looking at videos and reading. I was stuck on 9 weeks and I see my mistake now. There is no set time to maturity for cannabis or any plant for that matter. So many variables can affect the growth of a plant so to think that it was ready at 9 weeks was my stupidity. I am quite a good gardener but it is easy with vegetables cause you can see obviously when they are ready. Cannabis is a whole other animal. The reason I grow is for medical reasons and for myself. But just wait.... One day I will post some of the most succulent, sticky buds anyone has ever seen. It is cause I am committed to getting this right. Thanks again to everyone for the replies and for the help offered in this forum.

 

[Boreal Curing]

Strawberry diesel sounds killer.

I always though people were pushing it with a handful of wishful thinking when it came to naming strains. A couple years ago I had a "Strawberry something" clone someone gave me and I put it in my yard. Harvest time rolled around and it was raining lightly. I went out with a box anyway and started pulling off individual buds. I swear on my mother's grave, while I was harvesting it they smelled exactly like a Strawberry Milkshake tastes.

Hope you get that experience.

 

[Fahn2k]

This is the pic that I was following when I harvested.... I was so into those damn Trichomes I bought a magnified glass, a jeweler's loop, and a small portable LED microscope cause I was chasing the half clear, half cloudy trichome phase. But I think I get it now. I am not going to even pay attention to it and wait for the overall pic of the flower and when it matures. I just started some Strawberry diesel, have 3 seedlings in the bin. This will be my 2nd grow to term and I don't want to mess this one up. There was a lot of good points on this thread and I am so glad to have read them all.

This is the pic that I was following when I harvested.... I was so into those damn Trichomes I bought a magnified glass, a jeweler's loop, and a small portable LED microscope cause I was chasing the half clear, half cloudy trichome phase. But I think I get it now. I am not going to even pay attention to it and wait for the overall pic of the flower and when it matures. I just started some Strawberry diesel, have 3 seedlings in the bin. This will be my 2nd grow to term and I don't want to mess this one up. There was a lot of good points on this thread and I am so glad to have read them all.

You just said it yourself, you harvested when you had a of clear and cloudy. That'd still too early, the picture tells you so. As I get ready to harvest I'm looking for all cloudy trichomes at the minimum. Then I let plant have a few words, like are the leaves yellowing, are the pistols scrunched back into the calyx? I don't have the experience yet to tell if the calyx is swollen or not. Look at my photo from a couple of days ago. Not ready yet, I'm flushing for the week and watching the pistols. At this point the pistols will tell me when it's ok to harvest. The color of the trichomes will dictate when I harvest based on the type of effect I want. Most people harvest with about a 35 to 60 percent amber color trichome.

 

[NugNewb]

You just said it yourself, you harvested when you had a of clear and cloudy. That'd still too early, the picture tells you so. As I get ready to harvest I'm looking for all cloudy trichomes at the minimum. Then I let plant have a few words, like are the leaves yellowing, are the pistols scrunched back into the calyx? I don't have the experience yet to tell if the calyx is swollen or not. Look at my photo from a couple of days ago. Not ready yet, I'm flushing for the week and watching the pistols. At this point the pistols will tell me when it's ok to harvest. The color of the trichomes will dictate when I harvest based on the type of effect I want. Most people harvest with about a 35 to 60 percent amber color trichome.

I can really see the difference.... thanks...

 

[Fahn2k]

I can really see the difference.... thanks...

You replied to a post from July 26th, its now August 8th and guess what? Today is the fuckin day! Chop Chop....3 weeks ago I cut off a bottom bud (larf) and let it dry, then so called cured it for 4 days in a jar. Swear it was the most satisfying smoke I ever had. It wasnt strong and powerful, just smooth, mellow and long lasting.

 

[NugNewb]

I just wanted to update everyone. Although I did harvest early, I went ahead and cured it in mason jars and humidity packs. I just gave a few away with a warning that I can't guarantee the quality, and I got really good reviews. My "more experienced smoking friends" really liked it and now are bothering me for more...LOL... So I guess it wasn't a total loss. I finally tried it myself and it was really freaking good and the taste was amazing so I can only imagine how good it would have been if I wouldn't have picked it early. I have some new stuff growing and I hope to get some really good bud out of this. I will keep you updated with picks once I get into my flowering stage. Again, any advice anyone can offer is always appreciated and welcomed. Thanks again for all the feedback and helping me grow as a grower....

 

[NugNewb]

Thanks, just started my new strain, strawberry diesel. Have 3 seedlings just getting started. You are right though ,I will not do that again...LOL...

You were right, It smoked great and I am very happy how it came out anyway. I just wanted to let you know. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[NugNewb]

No i was saying that's what I was doing. Meaning before I read the post. I wanted him to know I was on my way to making the same mistake, and that by paying attention to his post I can now avoid it. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. Yeah I saw the photo of the plant too! A little reading comprehension would tell you I want a few more details. As for your last point I agree, you'll learn more from a fuck up than a success. As this is a first grow I'm happy to make it this far, but I planned on total failure! So with that in mind I've had nothing but success so far. It doesnt matter if I get 1 gram or one pound. Winners never quit, and quitters never win! Popcorn anyone?

This was an awesome reply and the same reason I grow, even a little win is a win for me. I only smoke when my PVD acts up and I can't sleep so even a little is awesome for me. Don't know enough people here to buy comfortably.

 

[Canuck3]

I appreciate the honest talk. This is the first time I have actually grown to harvest, my first batch was bag seed and I had males, females and hermis in the mix and I had a bad accident and wasn't able to properly harvest my only remaining plant. I thought I was on point this time around and was going to wait another week but according to everyone, that still would have been too early. Yes, I did buy into the early energetic high and late couch lock high cause that is what I have been reading everywhere. The reason I grow is because I live in Texas, I hate that stuff we get from across the border, and I use it for my diabetes symptoms. I used to be addicted to pain killers due to the severe neuropathy I have in my feet and smoking really helped keep me comfortable at night. But it got harder to get, was becoming expensive for schwag, and the few times I had good weed, what a difference it made. This is the only thing that works and I invested good money to try to get this growing thing down but so much conflicting information. I just started a couple of strawberry diesel strains thinking I had this one in the bag... I guess you live and learn. So if anyone can help... Should I throw this stuff out??? Should I go ahead, dry it out and give it a chance??? I'm new but I learn fast and I am not ready to give up. Thanks again...

NugNewb.....

Do not throw this stuff out, it will be perfectly fine. Lot's of rude comments in here trying to make you feel dumb for harvesting early, when all that needed to be said was "looks early to me, next time give it a few more weeks".

Here are some good threads to read about harvesting and curing, to help you with your question:

Harvest Time: A Tutorial

please do not post in this thread until you see the happy plumber. thanks. i've been trimming for 12 hours non stop so please bear with me. we will start with ripeness. most people say to check your trichromes with 30X magnification. i have other ways. when buds are done they look "done"...

www.rollitup.org

A perfect cure every time

This method is particularly effective for folks who are starting out, those looking to maximize quality in a shorter period of time, and folks who's like to produce a connoisseur-quality product each and every time with no guesswork involved. It's a very simple and effective process: Cut...

www.rollitup.org

Read both and find what works best for you.

Good job on your first harvest!

 

[Rurumo]

Here is another, if you haven't seen it already. Not a guide per say, just good advice and the way I was taught by an old Hell's Angel. Don't rely on trichomes, I know it seems "scientific", but it's actually completely arbitrary and almost always results in harvesting early. https://forum.grasscity.com/threads/a-guide-on-when-to-harvest.666373/

 

[NugNewb]

Here is another, if you haven't seen it already. Not a guide per say, just good advice and the way I was taught by an old Hell's Angel. Don't rely on trichomes, I know it seems "scientific", but it's actually completely arbitrary and almost always results in harvesting early. https://forum.grasscity.com/threads/a-guide-on-when-to-harvest.666373/

Thank you.... I do appreciate it....

 

[Fahn2k]

I'm glad everything worked out for you. I bet we both learned the same lesson. "Give it the time it needs and you'll be happy". I don't think I'll put as much of an inphasis on trichomes on my next harvest. I plan to watch as the plant starts to show end of life first.

 

[NugNewb]

I'm glad everything worked out for you. I bet we both learned the same lesson. "Give it the time it needs and you'll be happy". I don't think I'll put as much of an inphasis on trichomes on my next harvest. I plan to watch as the plant starts to show end of life first.

Yeah.. me too...lol...