In the continuing adventures of a gentlewoman farmer, you’ll recall I planted a cannabis seed in early November. This was my first attempt at growing anything other than cancer. So far, so good.
I harvested my cannabis plant this week at 102 days. That’s over the average of 80-90 days, and I believe that’s because I didn’t have the LED light from day one, and it has been chilly in our house this winter. Some of the trichomes (the good stuff) were amber and the rest were sort of milky. I wasn’t sure how far to take it … too early or too late reduces potency … but the leaves were browning out, so I decided it was time.
The plant measured at just under 20 inches or 50 centimeters. According to my reference materials, that’s about average for an indoor plant in a 2-gallon or 7.5-liter container.
To harvest, I cut the big leaves off with the scissors that came with my kit. I also used the scissors to cut the stalk, but I probably should have used something else. That stalk was thick!
According to my instructions, it should hang upside down in a dark, cool place. The garage isn’t super dark. Let’s call it dusk, and right now the humidity is low. It was the best I could come up with. We make sure to leave the lights off.
Don’t ask why I hang wind chimes in a windless garage. Who can understand the whims of a pretend Bohemian heiress who dabbles in what amuses her? They were there, so I just tied the plant to one of the wind chimes. I could see some sort of fancy herb drying rack in my future.
The instructions say when the flowers are dry, the branches will easily snap instead of bending. This should take 3-6 days, depending on humidity. Today is day 4, and it’s not ready yet. When the plant is dry, I’m to finish trimming the buds and weigh them to determine my yield. I don’t think it’s going to be all that spectacular, but I’m ever hopeful.
The final step is to put the trimmed buds in a jar, burping and re-sealing the jar every couple of days for the first two weeks. And then comes the best part … the taste test! By the way, I saved the dirt, but I’m not sure it’s advisable to use again. I’m still exploring that option.
So, more to come on the evolution of my cannabis plant. While yield and cost-per-ounce is yet to be determined, I think I did OK, and I’m confident warmer weather will be an asset to my next adventure as a gentlewoman farmer. I have 9 more seeds, so there’s plenty of action left.
My husband just started his seeds that I got him for Christmas. Yours look great. I think you could use the soil again, I don’t see why not. It may need a little fresh miracle grow dirt added.
Good luck on your grow! I’m pretty pleased with mine, although I still need to “test” it. I agree about using the soil again but adding fertilizer.
“Gentlewoman farmer” – love that. Keep growing weed instead of cancer. Love your sense of humour, Donna!
Deb
Thanks, Deb, that’s my plan! More weed, less cancer.
Dear Donna – harvest! Well done, I am also nearly there. I have treated it as an experiment and there are many things I have to/will do different if I am to do more. My little ‘workshop’ is as odd as yours, without the Egyptian hieroglyphics! Bohemian heiress? My antecedents have some of that, but all that is left of the heritage is IMAGINATION, which is more than enough to keep things going! It may be cold where you are, but here we have consecutive and serious Atlantic storms. Dennis this w/e, Ciara the one before and Ellen the one coming up, each with 100mph winds. Reminds me of Forrest Gump ‘call this a storm, God?’ (Lieutenant Dan). Carpe Diem and good luck with the taste test! Alan
Alan, I love that line! and yes, Dennis is a Menace over there!
Those are some fierce winds! When I whine about cold, it’s California cold, meaning not really cold except to those of us who like it warm. As for the cannabis, I think I will go with a bigger pot to get more yield out of the same seed.
Would a burlap sack hanging over your drying plant help with the darkness? It’s just a thought.
That’s a great idea — thank you!