Cultivating cannabis is a journey that requires patience and expertise. But no matter how perfectly the growth phases have gone: The harvesting of cannabis is one of the most crucial steps in the entire production cycle. Especially in the medical sector, as is standard at Sainfort, the timing and type of harvest have a significant influence on the purity and effectiveness of the end product.
While cultivation lays the foundation, the harvest - together with drying and further processing - determines the final cannabinoid and terpene profile. Harvesting too early means wasting potential. If you wait too long, you risk the degradation of active ingredients.
This article summarizes for you what is important and how a flowering plant becomes a high-quality medicinal product.
The right time not only determines the yield, but above all the density of active ingredients and the aroma. As cannabis is a natural product, there is no fixed date in the calendar - the plant itself signals its maturity.
In order to pinpoint the ideal moment, experts rely on two key indicators:
● The trichomes (resin glands): This is the most important indicator of medicinal cannabis. Under the microscope, these tiny mushroom-shaped glands change color.
o Clear means: Cannabinoid production has only just begun. Not yet ready for harvest.
o Milky-cloudy - The "sweet spot": This is where the concentration of THC and other cannabinoids is highest.
o Amber-coloured: The THC begins to oxidize and partially converts to CBN.
● The pistils (flower hairs): These change colour from white to orange-brown towards the end of the flowering period. When around 70-90% of the hairs have changed color and curl slightly, the plant is usually ready.
For medicinal cannabis, the plant is often harvested as soon as the majority of the trichomes appear milky. This ensures a clear, defined effect profile and consistent quality that patients can rely on.
Preparation often begins one to two weeks before the scissors are used. Hectic pruning without planning can jeopardize months of work.
Flushing: Many cultivators stop feeding nutrients about 7 to 14 days before harvest and water only with clear, pH-regulated water. The aim is to wash excess salts and fertilizer residues out of the substrate and the plant. This ensures a milder taste and cleaner ash later on.
Climate and hygiene: Shortly before harvesting, the humidity in the room should be lowered to minimize the risk of mould (such as botrytis) in the now very dense flowers. On the day of the harvest itself, hygiene is paramount. In professional facilities, employees wear gloves and protective clothing to avoid contaminating the sticky flowers with skin oils or foreign substances.
Once the perfect moment has arrived, the actual process begins. It is divided into three sensitive phases:
Step 1: Trimming the flowers (trimming) - Here, opinions often differ between "wet trim" (trimming directly after harvesting) and "dry trim" (trimming after drying). While wet trimming is more space-saving, dry trimming is often considered to be gentler on the terpenes, as the leaves protect the flower during drying. The aim is always to remove excess plant material to expose the pure flower.
Step 2: Drying - Quality is created in the field, but it is preserved in the drying room. After cutting, the flowers still contain around 75% water, which must be slowly removed by:
● Darkness: Light breaks down THC, so drying rooms must be dark.
● Climate: The ideal temperature is around 18-21 °C with a humidity of 45-55 %.
Drying too quickly leads to the infamous "hay smell", as the chlorophyll cannot be broken down. Patience is the key to quality here.
Step 3: Curing (hardening) - This is the grafting process. The dried flowers are left to mature in airtight containers for several weeks. Controlled ventilation allows residual moisture to escape while the full aroma profile develops. Curing makes the difference between "good" and "excellent" cannabis.
You may be wondering why close observation of the trichomes is so important? The answer: because the chemical profile of the plant has changed rapidly in recent days. Depending on the harvest window, the same plant can produce different effects:
● Early harvest (many clear trichomes): The active ingredient density is not yet at its maximum. The effect is often weaker, shorter and rather restless.
● Optimal harvest (mostly milky trichomes): THC and CBD reach their maximum here. The result is a potent, balanced product with full therapeutic potential. This is the standard for most medical applications.
● Late harvest (many amber-colored trichomes): The conversion to CBN shifts the effect. It is often perceived as "heavier", more physical and sedating - which may be desirable for certain pain or sleep therapies.
Harvesting cannabis is more than just cutting mature plants. It is a highly sensitive chemical and biological process in which care, experience and precise timing determine the end result.
From the microscopic analysis of the trichomes to the controlled climate in the drying room and patient curing: every step serves to preserve the purity and strength of the flower. For medical cannabis - as produced at Sainfort - this means the highest level of reliability and consistency, so that patients always receive the quality they need for their therapy.