Such an exciting time to be a grower! So, why would there be such a significant increase in size from just a few days of darkness? A 24 hrs long night will hardly make a difference that youd notice. I got so tired of being misinformed myself that I'm going to college for this shit just to have my own references. Harvest too late, and cannabinoids like THCA will start to degrade into CBNA. Awesome curing method with no guesswork. About to drop a Strawberry Glue. Now truth be told, out of the 4 widows I grew, there is one with which I was the most experimental with- and she has been in full flower for about 5 weeks now. After 3-4 days most of it has happened that needs to and it's not so important so I check on them every couple days until fully dried. However, it isn't enough for many growers to let plants develop trichomes and call it a day. How Long Should You Keep Weed in Dark Before Harvest? Founded by an American activist James Burton, it was one of two licensed suppliers of medical marijuana in Holland and unfortunately went bankrupt within a year or two*. Very very interesting stuff! I felt like a giant human shaped dried out sponge the whole time i was out there visiting. I am assuming that other plant nutrients are not going to migrate anywhere either. For example, I give my cannabis plants 12 hours of light each day for most of the flowering stage (as is considere the standard for flowering cannabis plants), then 3-4 weeks before harvest, I'd reduce that to 11 hours of light each day, then a few days later I'd change to 10 hours of light each day, etc. Its because cannabinoids protect marijuana flowers from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Will going over 3 days of dark cause any undesired outcomes? At first, the remaining moisture will move out from the inside of the buds, making your stash appear rehydrated. The cookies also ensure that we can see how our website is used and how we can improve it. I don't know if the theory is proven, but I have the space, so it isn't gonna hurt anything. With a well-established nutrient routine and one (or several) well-positioned lights, your cannabis plants are going from strength to strength. My expected harvest will be in late sept and early oct. farmers almanac predict that 1st frost will be in oct 13 where I am. JavaScript is disabled. JavaScript is disabled. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. As we already mentioned, experiments have confirmed the efficacy of 72 hours, or 3 days. If you see that your trichomes are starting to turn, youll want a cycle of between twenty-four and forty-eight hours to really maximize the potency of the plant that you are growing. Just an old wives tale. Sign up for a new account in our community. 0. Even if all it does is increase the terpin levels that would be sweet, give your herb a lil extra stank =D. Another tactic is to water your plants with ice water. It may not display this or other websites correctly. People claim this increases THC or makes the plants more "frosty". Bag Seed vs Hype Seed: Is it worth it to buy cannabis seeds? I would like to know because im not understanding whats going to happen in that small amount of time with lights off that wouldnt happen better with lights on. (Fans still on, bubbler etc.) One aspect of trichome production in cannabis is protection against chromosomal mutation and DNA damage caused by UV light, particularly UVC by shading the surface area of the leaf and flower lessoning UVA, UVB and UVC light penetration. Even if stressing the plant increased THC production, how much extra THC could be produced in a few days? 5) Chlorophyll isnt produced/active in the dark and existing chlorophyll begins to break down. No scientific studies have been conducted to either verify or negate the efficacy of the practice, although there are numerous theories as to why the trick might be beneficial. Of course, cannabis plants didn't evolve over thousands of years only to develop trichomes so we could smoke or vape them. The idea behind the 24-48 hour dark period before harvest stipulates that THC production is in running mode and will continue even if lights are out during a day or two, but the degrading factor of the light is no longer there and results in an increase in THC levels. I have seen a few people do this with great results.. Its not like theres only some weak anecdotal evidence to support it. It is once again important to note that there. JavaScript is disabled. Although there is some evidence, mostly firsthand anecdotal evidence from growers themselves, that a dark period can increase THC levels significantly, making the buds bigger is not something that happens. However, if we had to offer a final bonus piece of advice, it would, of course, be to harvest buds at the optimal time. Hi ,this little old poem is about Stressing ____ Your wife your dog and the Walnut tree the better you beat em the better they be_____. I have read that this makes the trich production increase and the buds swell more, but also that 36 hours may be best so you don't run into mold problems. Yes please enlighten me on the science behind that. I'm no scientist but I hope my experience with the subject helps. They actually function as something of a defense shield for the plant itself in nature, but theyre also the part of the plant that does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to producing the cannabinoids and terpenes that make marijuana such a desirable product. ;) ;). So the best time for harvest is early morning. Seems that would happen better with lights on,,but im not a Botanist. Like I mentioned, after I get the kinks out of growing ( I've made a lot of mistakes during my first grow ) by doing a few grows first; me being me, I will probably give this idea a try, just for curiosity sake. 48 hours darkness is most optimal for THC according to the video, ironically PSI Labs is a competitor of ours. Dont forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get updates on my current experiments before theyre published on the website! However, this is a debatable idea within the cannabis growing community. 1) keep them watered before chop to extend drying time (this makes sense) However, if you block the cookies, you may not be able to enjoy all the technical features our website has to offer and this may negatively impact your user experience. Unfortunately, you are going to be able to see the trichomes with your naked eye. Most people recommend doing a three day darkness period right before the harvest, as this will produce the best result. Your plants are still alive when you chop and hang them, it's not like you are shooting them in the brain. the breakdown and flushing of chlorophyll before harvest huh? Another theory is that resin acts as sunblock, high intensity rays, especially those high in uv light will make the produce more resin to protect it's precious buds. dont hurt, no need to use your light on them anymore chop them after your dark days.i have ,but havent been latley,most of the time im just tired of them bitches anyway, i just harvest and move on.theres threads on here about this already look around if you dont get more opinons.juicy, if your plants are ready - ie - calyxes all swollen up fat and trichs milky with 30-40% amber then leaving them in the dark for 2 days only delays your harvest - need to leave town for a few days then sure - go for it. Does that mean i have to keep flushing till it reaches 290. Its a bad idea to water your plant before turning off the lights for good. Load up each jar loosely to around 75% capacity, seal them closed, and store them in a cool, dark place. Still, with a scalpel in hand, the idea is to split stems vertically, before inserting skewers to prevent the opening from closing. Some terps evaporate off each day, but many of the lost terps are replaced as long as the plant is still metabolizing. I did it my first grow because I knew no better but I dont do it anymore. 420growist.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. All the principles above apply to any cannabis plant, including autos. I read this is Jorge Cervantes growing bible and most of this literature is very useful, but the 48 of darkness allows floored me. [Checklist] Get Prepared to Start Growing Indoors. Register now to gain access to all of our features. The idea is to give your plants only clean water with no additives for a period before harvesting, which cleanses the buds of the minerals and nutrients the plant needs to grow. It takes work on the part of the plant to create molecules of THC. I really have never read this or done this. Reaction score. A lot of people say a 24-48 hour dark period just before harvest is beneficial to the plant. Is there a minimum/maximum time for the extended dark cycle to achieve these desired results? Designed by Tin Can Knits, Harvest is a long-sleeved cardigan knitting pattern. Be informed before you purchase. I hope they don't on other forums ! PAR vs ePAR light meters: What is the difference? Terpenes and other secondary metabolites form mainly during the dark cycle. The bottom line here is that you should definitely harvest in the dark. No light anywhere. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 24-Hour Dark Period Before Harvest It's believed that turning the grow lights off for up to 24 hours or more before you harvest will bring out purples and other colors in the buds before cutting them down. First, lower humidity means higher THC. But Ive grown cannabis long enough to know that sometimes what seems intuitive isnt correct, which is why experiments are so helpful and powerful. Anyone heard of this or practice this technique? Hi all, some compelling ideas hereseems the general consensus is 48-72 hours of dark; before harvesting. Pics do not lie. Note: As an Amazon Associate, GrowWeedEasy.com earns a commission from qualifying purchases. Beginner Grow Guide is a participant in the Amazon Associates affiliate program. All of that being said, youre now probably wondering how a darkness period before the harvest helps to increase THC levels. I think basic biology tells us that chlorophyll is only in green parts of the plant and, therefore cannot settle to the roots. Its hard for me to believe a dark period could increase the THC this much on a consistent basis. Well, UV-B light might just be it. Does it make a diff? YouTube restricts most of our content, so Join the iCan Family! I'm assuming you also dry in the dark.so basically, everyone is already doing this. Does Weed Tea Smell Strongly? All the others I just pull them the day of harvest right before lights come on. YeahI'm thinking the "theory" is wrong, too. If you are growing your own weed, and it is coming time to harvest, you want to do everything in your power to ensure that your weed is as potent as possible. That said, the last 710 days is when you can maximise trichome production with the right know-how. I wonder if there is some other factor. Darkness helps marijuana plants replenish THC and terpenes. What Causes Cannabis Leaves to Get Dry or Crispy? This happenes during the drying period anyways. All the references I read recommend 48 hours for darkness at the end of the grow. Suppose youre not in a hurry and can wait as long as its necessary for buds to reach the peak of their quality. Another possible explanation here is that THC levels in your weed are the highest after a multi-day darkness period due to natural fluctuations in THC in plants. The most common tactic is to place your plants in total darkness for 3 days before harvest. Harvesting and Curing; This Topic All Content; This Topic; This Forum; Advanced Search; Browse . Essentially, the idea is to shock your plant in the days leading up to harvest in hopes of increasing the potency of your buds. Although this does admittedly seem unlikely, there are plenty of sources out there that talk about this study. All you need are a few mason jarsenough to contain your entire harvest. 36 or 48 hrs is more like it. To get rid of these unwanted substances (and the chlorophyll) growers slowly dry and cure their buds for several weeks. There are several ways to tell when buds are ready to rock and roll, but one of the most widely accepted is checking the trichome colouration with a microscope. Both rolanterroy and medicineman note that these techniques are more productive on inidicas and mostly indica hybrids said: .So are you saying that the buds experience a stretch and this will not be favorable to fluffier sativa like buds? The terpenes contained in your weed are the substances that give it its aroma and flavor, so the more terpenes your weed has, the tastier it will be. I read this recommendation in a few growing books. By this stage, buds are well-formed, and you should notice some branches bowing under the weight of all your hard work. Now, as far as comparing a 24 hour, 48 hour, and 72 hour darkness period goes, it does appear that the longer this darkness period is, the greater the effect will be. I dry out the compost before harvest but only for the reason that it easier to break down and get rid of dry root balls than wet.. So for autoflowers if you give them 48 hours of light as opposed to the 48 hours of darkness at the end of their life cycle they should produce more from that extra energy! I have tried with and without the 48 hours dark and can honestly say that the only difference that I have found is that you will have noticeably more red hair on your dried product. Harvest too early, and you'll cut trichome production short. Cannabis Grow Guide: How to Keep Electricity Costs Down, 3-Step Guide: Choose Best Cannabis Grow Light. I have not seen any grower do an experiment yet besides me. Of course, you can. Since I've never filled a jar I'm gonna jus harvest wen ready and wiv the last to harvest I'm going to try the dark period theory. Organic no till grow style. Essentially, the idea is to "shock" your plant in the days leading up to harvest in hopes of increasing the potency of your buds. Trichome goes through four distinct stages of development. One simple way to keep your crop strong is by paying attention to the dark cycle during the growth process. //