If you’re growing autoflowering cannabis, you’re probably wondering when to harvest it. The good news is that autoflowering cannabis plants are ready to be harvested earlier than regular cannabis plants, but you still need to know the factors that indicate when it’s time to harvest.
In this blog post, whether you're a beginner or an expert, we'll tell you everything you need to know about harvesting autoflowering cannabis plants. Keep reading to learn more!
What is an autoflowering cannabis seed?
An autoflowering or autoflowering cannabis seed means that this cannabis strain will flower under almost any light conditions as soon as it is planted. As a result, these plants do not require a 12/12 light cycle to begin flowering and can grow under 24 hours of light, from seed to harvest. This trait is unique to the Ruderalis plant, a wild Sativa strain that grows in harsh conditions, which flowers automatically and matures in 8 to 11 weeks in most climates and growing conditions.
Today, we can find plants ruderalis all over the world. These hardy plants are well-equipped to resist the infections and pests that abound in their environment. They strive to flower as early as possible and produce flowers and seeds faster than any other Sativa or Indica plant.
A long time ago, Ruderalis cannabis, on its own, wasn’t particularly appealing. It produces low yields with a low THC concentration. These days, autoflowering strains can satisfy even the most demanding consumers: recreational users will no longer have trouble finding autoflowering rich in THC.
Modern autoflowering strains rival (and in some cases even surpass) photoperiod feminized strains in terms of potency, yield, and aroma.
How do you know when it's time to harvest your autoflowering cannabis?
You’ve reached the point where you can see your plants growing taller after several weeks of waiting. First of all, congratulations! You’ve done the hard part—and most importantly, you’ve done it well!
For many growers, the most exciting and rewarding aspect of growing cannabis is harvest time. After watching your plants grow for months—from seedlings to fully flowered plants—it’s almost time to break out the scissors and start drying and trimming your cannabis.
Generally, between 50 and 70 days after germination, most autoflowering are ready to be harvested. However, determining the right time to harvest isn't quite that simple.
You can find the perfect floral arrangement. However, it’s essential to be patient and not rush things. To ensure that your flowers are truly ready, you need to be aware of and on the lookout for various indicators and signs, both on a micro and macro level.
Now let's take a look at how to tell if your autoflowering cannabis plants are ready to be harvested.
Check the trichomes on your plants
The trichomes on your cannabis plant will tell you if it’s ready to be harvested. Trichomes are tiny crystals that produce large amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes through resin production. Under a magnifying glass, trichomes look like tiny mushrooms with a small head.
The trichomes on your plants’ buds grow and mature, changing color from clear to milky and then to amber-brown. You can observe them up close using a magnifying glass or a small handheld microscope. Below, we’ll explain the different stages of trichome development and their characteristics.
- Light-colored trichomes: If most of your plant’s trichomes are still light in color, your buds aren’t ready to be harvested yet. THC levels THC are still low at this stage, and the effects of the cannabis will not be strong.
- Milky-white trichomes: This is when THC levels begin to approach their peak, and the plant’s psychoactive effects will be more pronounced. Wait another two weeks at most before harvesting.
- Amber-brown trichomes: If some of your plant’s trichomes have turned amber, it means that THC levels are very high and the plant is ready to be harvested. The effects of cannabis will be primarily physical at this stage.
Examine the stigmas and pistils of your plants
Pistils are hair-like structures on cannabis buds that grow from the calyx and can be seen without a magnifying glass. Pistils are responsible for seed production in female cannabis plants if they are pollinated by a male plant.
Like trichomes, pistils are white at the beginning of flowering. As the plant matures and harvest time approaches, they darken (to red or brown).
If most of the pistils are still white, it’s too early to harvest; let your plants grow a little longer. To ensure a THC level close to the maximum, wait until at least 60% of the pistils turn brown. For stronger, more intense effects, wait until 70 to 90% of your pistils change color.
Nutrient-bearing leaves that are turning yellow and dying
You can't miss them, the nutrient-rich leaves are large, broad leaves that serve as energy generators for your plant. They are largely responsible for photosynthesis, which captures energy from the sun.
The nutrient leaves will begin to turn yellow and die off toward the end of an autoflowering plant’s life cycle. This means that all resources are being directed to the buds. After that, the plant has about three weeks left before it dies.
Over the next three weeks, the buds are in the final stages of development and must be rinsed to remove any remaining fertilizer. This is the simplest way to determine a plant’s maturity; it works perfectly with autoflowers and, when combined with all the other indicators, should allow you to harvest at exactly the right time.
Reduction in water consumption
Another sign that it’s time to harvest is a decrease in water consumption. When your autoflowering cannabis plant’s water needs decrease, it’s time to cut it because growth has peaked. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but if the growing medium stays moist for a day or two after watering, your plant is most likely ready to be harvested.
Harvest according to the seasons and the time of day
If you grow your cannabis seeds outdoors, the best time to harvest your autoflowering cannabis plants may depend on the seasons and where you live.
In the summer, you can get up to 15 hours of sunlight, but in the fall, there is less light available, which won't trigger your plants to bloom since they don't need a light cycle to start flowering. This can affect production.
The most effective way to avoid this is to create a schedule for your seeds before they start to germinate. In some regions, there are no more than 9 hours and 30 minutes of sunlight in the winter. As a result, planning ahead can help you achieve better yields and determine when you’ll want to harvest your plants.
The best time to harvest your plants is early in the morning, before sunrise. If possible, harvest your plants while it’s still dark. At this time of day, the plant is in full bloom and produces a large number of trichomes, which will result in a better harvest.
The same rules apply to cannabis grown indoors. However, under these conditions, it is not necessary to harvest before sunrise. For this reason, you can also turn off the lights in your grow tent and leave the plants in the dark for about 2 days before harvesting.
Late Harvest and Early Harvest: What Results Can You Expect?
The Late Harvest
If you harvest too late, the trichomes will deteriorate, become “overripe,” and the THC will convert to CBN. As a result, the effect your plants produce will have a physical sensation more similar to that of an Indica strain.
Overripe trichomes take on an increasingly amber color as a result of THC breaking down into CBN. This is undesirable for many people. On the other hand, some users prefer a more physical and narcotic experience, so if you’re looking for that kind of effect, it’s time to harvest your plants. However, if you’re a fan of Sativa effects, it’s important to harvest your plants at the right time.
Early Harvest
If you harvest your autoflowering plants too early, the trichomes won’t have had time to fully develop and mature. This means that THC levels will be lower and the plant won’t have had a chance to produce as much resin. As a result, your yield will be low and the overall quality of your harvest will be inferior.
The cannabinoid content of immature or transparent trichomes is insufficient, which means you won’t experience any pronounced psychoactive effects. Therefore, there’s no need to harvest yet. However, keep an eye out—the trichomes will mature soon!
Conclusion
Autoflowering cannabis is an excellent choice for growers looking for a quick harvest. The plants mature quickly and can be ready for harvest in as little as eight weeks after planting.
At Silent Seeds we carry a wide variety of autoflowering cannabis seeds, so you’re sure to find the perfect strain for your needs. Visit our website today to explore our collection and order your seeds! If you want to take it to the next level, check out our wide selection of collector’s seeds, too!
