Harvesting

Flushing, Harvesting, Drying and Curing Cannabis Properly

Introduction

After the growing and flowering stages, the final steps—flushing, harvesting, drying, and curing—are among the most critical phases in cannabis cultivation. These steps directly affect the taste, potency, and overall quality of your buds. This article outlines these final stages in detail.

1. Flushing

• Flushing means stopping nutrient feeding and watering only with pure water
• Usually done 7 to 14 days before harvest
• Goal: Clean the root zone of salts and nutrient buildup
• Improves taste and removes harsh or metallic flavors

2. Best Time to Harvest

• Based on the amber percentage of trichomes
• Recommended Tool: Handheld loupe or microscope
• Clear trichomes: too early – Milky: peak – Amber: heavier and more sedative
• Ideal: ~70% milky + ~30% amber

3. Drying

• Hang buds upside down or lay on mesh racks
• Temperature: 18–21°C, Humidity: 50–60%
• In dark space with light airflow
• Duration: 7–14 days
• Buds should snap on small stems but feel slightly soft in the flower

4. Curing

• Place dried buds into glass jars
• Open jars once or twice daily for 10–15 mins (burping)
• Ideal conditions: 18–21°C, jar humidity 58–62%
• Duration: 2 to 8 weeks
• Results in smoother, tastier, stronger, and longer-lasting buds

Conclusion

The final stage of cannabis cultivation greatly impacts the end quality. Proper flushing, harvesting, drying, and curing will give you potent, flavorful, and top-grade buds.