Harvesting CBD

[DabberDog]

Most all our dope talk is about THC dope, not CBD 'medicine'.
With THC dope, we look for the clear/cloudy/amber trichomes and harvest based on what kind of messed up we want to get. We're not going for the same thing in CBD, right? CBD isn't about getting loaded.
So, what trichomes am I looking for in CBD heavy 'medicinal' dope?

[Ckbrew]

I don't think I have a solid answer to your question, but I had the same question with my charlot's angel CBD autos. My observation was that the trichs did not achieve the amber that many people traditionally use as an indicator. They did turn cloudy, another indicator of ripeness. I used the observation that the pistils were orange brown and shriveled, the buds just looking mature and a dramatic decrease in water intake and fade in the fan leaves. They turned out fantastic, so I must have done it right.

[Allenpro]

I think you nailed it. The few CBD strains I have grown were best with a mix of cloudy and clear. I didnt count them but I think it was 40/60 clear to cloudy.

[Ckbrew]

I don't think I have a solid answer to your question, but I had the same question with my charlot's angel CBD autos. My observation was that the trichs did not achieve the amber that many people traditionally use as an indicator. They did turn cloudy, another indicator of ripeness. I used the observation that the pistils were orange brown and shriveled, the buds just looking mature and a dramatic decrease in water intake and fade in the fan leaves. They turned out fantastic, so I must have done it right. I also topped them above node 4 and tied the branches to the ring.

[Ckbrew]

Idk how the post went up twice...

[DabberDog]

Because it was worth reading twice!

[DabberDog]

By bud porn alone, not looking at trichomes, they look plenty ripe to me.

[Allotrope1000]

Yo, Dabber.
Good question! No, great question!! And, I honestly don't know. Since CBDa decarbs at a longer/higher time/temp than THCa, I thought that maybe harvest times could also be different.
So, I decided to do a quick internet look/see down that rabbit hole.

After wading through and discarding articles obviously written by non-growers, I culled out the following, from hemp farmers:
1. Yes, CBD specific harvest times are different from THC.
2. CBD plants are harvested before trichomes go amber, earlier than THC plants. Hemp farmers harvest earlier, due to THC content increasing as buds reach "normal" bud harvest. Their THC levels MUST be <= 0.3% or lower.
3. Letting plants reach "normal" harvest time increases THC ratio to CBD, resulting in adding psychoactive effects to the final product.

This is very general. I grew six high CBD autos this past winter and harvested them "late", due to my ignorance. Anyone have more specific experience?

[Orggrwr]

I had the same question when I started dabbling with cbd strains. I read somewhere that cbd strains should generally be harvested when trics are clear to cloudy rather than waiting for amber. I believe i read this in a breeders seed catalog but not sure because I'm old a can't remember shit.

[Allenpro]

I read something similar but I think it depends on what you want from it just like THC plants. If you wait until all cloudy and a few amber, say good night Gracey

[DabberDog]

Hold on, now. These are Franklin's seeds. Maybe shoulda otta ask him.
There is online info, sure. But online information changes by the source. Most y'all have given pretty straight-up advice so I thought I would come here.

[Allotrope1000]

Hey, Dabber.
Can you stage some harvest times from one of your plants and test which buds you like best?
Growing techniques seem to always come down to personal preferences.

[DabberDog]

Hmm...

[Allenpro]

As a stoner with ADD you can intend too do that but eventually there will be a mix up

[DabberDog]

I don't have ADD, but yeah, there would be some stoner action going.

[Franklin]

I'm no expert but I've also noticed my CBD rich seeds take longer to cloud and amber. I just harvest when I harvest, using the same general cues.

[Allenpro]

Does it make you sleepy?