Harvesting and drying hemp – How to do it right
If you want to harvest and dry hemp , you should know exactly what's important. The quality of your buds depends heavily on how carefully you handle these two steps. This guide will show you step by step how to avoid mistakes and get the most out of your plant.
When is the right time to harvest hemp?
Whether you're growing indoors or outdoors, harvesting hemp is all about timing. The trichomes provide clear clues:
- Clear → not yet ripe
- Milky → ideal harvest time
- Amber colors → rather calming effect
Additionally, you can look for yellowed leaves and swollen buds – both signs that harvest is imminent.
Harvesting hemp – this is how it's done correctly
When harvesting hemp, you have two options: either cutting the entire plant or harvesting individual branches or flowers. For small quantities, manual trimming with clean scissors is recommended. For larger harvests, mechanical trimming may also be advisable, although this may result in more resin loss.
Drying hemp under optimal conditions
After harvesting, you must dry the hemp properly to avoid mold and loss of flavor. Pay attention to the following conditions:
- Temperature: 18–22 °C
- Humidity: 50–60%
- Duration: 7–14 days
It is best to hang the plant upside down in a dark, well-ventilated room or use drying nets to save space.
Why curing after drying is so important
After drying the hemp, curing follows – a maturation phase that enhances flavor and effect. To do this, store the dried buds in airtight jars and open them daily for the first few weeks to allow excess moisture to escape. The longer the curing process, the better the results.
Common mistakes when harvesting and drying hemp
- Harvested too early: The flowers are not yet fully ripe.
- Dried too quickly: aroma and effect are lost.
- Stored too humid: risk of mold during curing.
If you want to harvest and dry hemp like a pro, you should be patient and pay attention to stable conditions – the difference will ultimately be clearly visible in the taste and effect.
Conclusion: Harvest and dry hemp like a pro
With the right technique for harvesting and drying hemp, you lay the foundation for top-quality buds. Pay attention to the right timing, dry slowly and evenly, and give the buds enough time during curing. This way, you'll get the most out of your harvest – without any compromises.