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24-48 hours darkness before harvest

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I’ve done both ways - darkness is bullshit fir sure no science just to much experience! Lol light well again no science but I’ve seen a slight uptick in terps for sure - plus it just easier ! So I always cut during or at the end of a cycle .

Smoke hell yeah and we used to dry that shit in the sun ! Prolly wasn’t perfect but workref pretty damn good , my guess is sun degrades thc into more Cbd/Cbg ?Idk mayb that’s a @Moe.Red myth buster?
 
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Moshmen said:
I’ve done both ways - darkness is bullshit fir sure no science just to much experience! Lol light well again no science but I’ve seen a slight uptick in terps for sure - plus it just easier ! So I always cut during or at the end of a cycle .

Smoke hell yeah and we used to dry that shit in the sun ! Prolly wasn’t perfect but workref pretty damn good , my guess is sun degrades thc into more Cbd/Cbg ?Idk mayb that’s a @Moe.Red myth buster?
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So you harvest at the end of the day and noticed a slight uptick in terps? Interesting, might harvest some branches end of light cycle and some in the morning and see if there is a difference.
 
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Moshmen said:
I’ve done both ways - darkness is bullshit fir sure no science just to much experience! Lol light well again no science but I’ve seen a slight uptick in terps for sure - plus it just easier ! So I always cut during or at the end of a cycle .

Smoke hell yeah and we used to dry that shit in the sun ! Prolly wasn’t perfect but workref pretty damn good , my guess is sun degrades thc into more Cbd/Cbg ?Idk mayb that’s a @Moe.Red myth buster?
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I think I can bust some of that right now.

CBG is the precursor molecule to both CBD and THC. But it does not work backwards as a degrading process. THC becomes CBN as it breaks down.

I dry/cure in the dark to try to maintain as much of the essence of the plant while alive as possible. Heat and light will drive off a lot of terps from the finished cured product.

But in terms of when to harvest during a light/dark cycle? I think there are too many variables to make a blanket statement.
 
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As I read this discussion, I was wondering (from a soil grower's perspective), whether the time of harvest might make a difference regarding the amount of moisture in the plant and how it might impact drying the plant.
 
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When to harvest...
The plant tells me when to harvest... when she meets all the requirements... trichome color of cloudy is peak potency and amber trichomes are slightly past due.. at a microscopic level.. the trichomes also lean over.. the trichomes head should be almost bursting.. plants should be leaning, and bud firmness...those are the things I check before harvest.... I always Harvest my plants and the end of the dark cycle when the terpenes are at the highest %.. no need to go longer than 14 hours of darkness.. at that point you risk mold starting...FB_IMG_1689692095996.jpg
 
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Amnesia said:
I also only water them during the last few weeks. This time I added 2 tablespoons of molasses to one of my plants in week 8 because I'm curious.
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I use black strap molasses and that’s important as the black strap has no sulfur in it. I use it at a rate of one tblspn pr gal. every watering. Two reasons, it kicks off good microbial activity and it’s a natural source of both cal and mag.
Watering with it in week eight, more than likely you won’t see a benefit from.
Many disagree with the use of it… I have been using it for years and I do see a benefit from it.
 
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CannaGranny said:
I use black strap molasses and that’s important as the black strap has no sulfur in it. I use it at a rate of one tblspn pr gal. every watering. Two reasons, it kicks off good microbial activity and it’s a natural source of both cal and mag.
Watering with it in week eight, more than likely you won’t see a benefit from.
Many disagree with the use of it… I have been using it for years and I do see a benefit from it.
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The Molasses is sugars.. Sugars feed microbes.. microbes creates enzymes that breakdown salts and organic matter.. let's the plant use up what's left in the medium and she can mature and get ready for harvest.. I'm with ya CannaGranny..
 
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CannaGranny said:
Watering with it in week eight, more than likely you won’t see a benefit from.
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Some say using it late in flowering can be a benefit. Of course, there are many opinions about using molasses.

B2ACG said:
let's the plant use up what's left in the medium and she can mature and get ready for harvest..
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I've read that using molasses a few weeks before harvest can improve the flavor. Using what's left in the medium would help do that. I think that's one of the reasons many say it's best to starve the plant before harvest.

Anyway, the reason I only used molasses for one of the two plants was to see if we could tell the difference. (I have some expert stoners to help with that.) The plants are the same strain, but the one that didn't get the molasses is a mutant. So, the comparison may not be very scientific. I suppose a better comparison would be to test using clones from the same plant under the same growing conditions. Maybe I'll try that if both of my clones survive.
 
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Amnesia said:
Some say using it late in flowering can be a benefit. Of course, there are many opinions about using molasses.


I've read that using molasses a few weeks before harvest can improve the flavor. Using what's left in the medium would help do that. I think that's one of the reasons many say it's best to starve the plant before harvest.

Anyway, the reason I only used molasses for one of the two plants was to see if we could tell the difference. (I have some expert stoners to help with that.) The plants are the same strain, but the one that didn't get the molasses is a mutant. So, the comparison may not be very scientific. I suppose a better comparison would be to test using clones from the same plant under the same growing conditions. Maybe I'll try that if both of my clones survive.
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Yeah and “they” will sell you a 39.95 bottle of bud candy to sweeten your crop too. It contains molasses. It’s useless. I’m super surprised at the age you quoted yourself to be that you have a group of “expert stoners”. The friends we keep, right?
You ask for advice and you got it, from a 35 year cultivator and a young man that himself holds several cannabis cups. The advice matters not as you already have the answers or so it seems, before you even ask.
In your case running the individual trials is best. Let us know how this turns out for you. There is always more than one way to skin a rabbit.
 
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B2ACG said:
When to harvest...
The plant tells me when to harvest... when she meets all the requirements... trichome color of cloudy is peak potency and amber trichomes are slightly past due.. at a microscopic level.. the trichomes also lean over.. the trichomes head should be almost bursting.. plants should be leaning, and bud firmness...those are the things I check before harvest.... I always Harvest my plants and the end of the dark cycle when the terpenes are at the highest %.. no need to go longer than 14 hours of darkness.. at that point you risk mold starting...View attachment 13937
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😍+1 this is the way
 
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CannaGranny said:
Yeah and “they” will sell you a 39.95 bottle of bud candy to sweeten your crop too. It contains molasses. It’s useless.
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I bought a jar of Grandma's Original Unsulphured Molasses from the grocery store. Someone recommended that brand, but I can't remember where I saw it or who said it. I didn't mention sweetening. I only mentioned improving the flavor. My understanding has been that improved flavor is a reason we limit nutrients close to harvest. That said, I may have misunderstood what @B2ACG meant by this: "The Molasses is sugars.. Sugars feed microbes.. microbes creates enzymes that breakdown salts and organic matter.. let's the plant use up what's left in the medium and she can mature and get ready for harvest.." I interpreted that as meaning adding molasses is related to not feeding the plant near harvest, in that both would lead to using up "what's left in the medium." Isn't it commonly accepted that excessive nutrients late in the flowering stage can adversely affect flavor?

CannaGranny said:
I’m super surprised at the age you quoted yourself to be that you have a group of “expert stoners”. The friends we keep, right?
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That was a joke. I am old, though. I started getting high during the tumultuous 1960s and grew my first crop about then, too. That's more than 50 years ago. I only grew occasionally, though. Life can get in the way. Of course, there also have been many changes during that half century.

It's interesting you mentioned old age and cannabis use. There was an article about it in the Washington Post a few days ago. Accordingly, use among seniors is increasing rapidly. That "65 and older" line in the graphic below has the steepest upward slope of any age group. My guess is that dealing with pain has a lot to do with the increase. It's certainly true for me.

1689703280010.png

CannaGranny said:
You ask for advice and you got it, from a 35 year cultivator and a young man that himself holds several cannabis cups. The advice matters not as you already have the answers or so it seems, before you even ask.
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I didn't ask for advice or wish to hijack this thread. I only wrote that I used it because I'm curious. I guess it's somewhat relevant to harvesting, though, and harvesting is on my mind because I have two plants that are close.

CannaGranny said:
In your case running the individual trials is best. Let us know how this turns out for you. There is always more than one way to skin a rabbit.
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I am. I'm writing about it in my grow diary. There's not much to say now. I'm not planning to add any more. The plant didn't appear any different after getting the molasses. In a month or so, we'll see how it tastes.
 
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Amnesia said:
I bought a jar of Grandma's Original Unsulphured Molasses from the grocery store. Someone recommended that brand, but I can't remember where I saw it or who said it. I didn't mention sweetening. I only mentioned improving the flavor. My understanding has been that improved flavor is a reason we limit nutrients close to harvest. That said, I may have misunderstood what @B2ACG meant by this: "The Molasses is sugars.. Sugars feed microbes.. microbes creates enzymes that breakdown salts and organic matter.. let's the plant use up what's left in the medium and she can mature and get ready for harvest.." I interpreted that as meaning adding molasses is related to not feeding the plant near harvest, in that both would lead to using up "what's left in the medium." Isn't it commonly accepted that excessive nutrients late in the flowering stage can adversely affect flavor?


That was a joke. I am old, though. I started getting high during the tumultuous 1960s and grew my first crop about then, too. That's more than 50 years ago. I only grew occasionally, though. Life can get in the way. Of course, there also have been many changes during that half century.

It's interesting you mentioned old age and cannabis use. There was an article about it in the Washington Post a few days ago. Accordingly, use among seniors is increasing rapidly. That "65 and older" line in the graphic below has the steepest upward slope of any age group. My guess is that dealing with pain has a lot to do with the increase. It's certainly true for me.

View attachment 13941


I didn't ask for advice or wish to hijack this thread. I only wrote that I used it because I'm curious. I guess it's somewhat relevant to harvesting, though, and harvesting is on my mind because I have two plants that are close.


I am. I'm writing about it in my grow diary. There's not much to say now. I'm not planning to add any more. The plant didn't appear any different after getting the molasses. In a month or so, we'll see how it tastes.
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Interesting as I am for sure that you have played yourself off as a newbie. I have seen you remark several times about this is my second grow or fourth grow etc. What’s up with that?
Also explains why you have an answer before you even ask. I guess I just don’t get the game. Care to explain?
Other people that I know that are your supposed age didn’t fit into the hippie scene and were targeted by the main stream about the evils of the green. Is this not the case? I NEVER read the Washington Post, but interesting parallels.
I have directly seen you post your supposed age, yet now, that was a joke?
I don’t know about you. Something’s seem terribly amiss.
 
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I have opinions that may go a bit against the grain…. As with everything the benefit or detrimental effects are in the dose with a lot of contributing factors….

More microbes is not equal to better… with increased bioactivity comes increased demands for o2 and higher co2 production in the rootzone both of which are very important. Then trying to balance the boom bust of population that can cause PH swings and other issues. The speed of reproduction and die is quite amazing.

There are many different species that all perform specific functions. Further to this molasses will attract a few of these but not all.

Do i feel like molasses is always a benefit….. absolutely not and here is why. The only time a benefit can be seen through nutrients (not PGRs) is if there is a deficiency of a nutrient to begin with. Much like ppl and multivitamins or supplements we are led to believe that say potassium helps regulate water flow so we should supplement it…. But thats just plain wrong.

Can molasses be beneficial….. it absolutely can and I believe the way @CannaGranny and @B2ACG use it is likely to be beneficial…. I cannot say if its needed but a small regular dose may help for some.

-This all boils down to chemistry really.

-Microbes are not microbes they are vastly different and perform very different functions specific to the individual.

-adding molasses does not magically make certain microbes appear they already exist and it will simply cause a population increase of certain species which can be good or bad.

I was a nay sayer on the molasses for many years but if used in a light regular dose i can see there may be some benefit.

Organic nutrients themselves leads to reduced salts which n the soil. But remember salts are not what many of us think… its a chemical term and even microbes break nutrients down in chemical salts before being dissolved into water and into ionic form. Plants only take up nutrients in ionic form.

Personally i feel like organics is a bit of a sham in terms of the bullshit we are fed. But no denying its better for the environment.

I have no dog in the fight… and like most things it can be beneficial when used properly and for the right reasons…. Likewise it can create issues when used to much.

TLDR: molasses can be beneficial in the right circumstances but not all circumstances. Important note is what @CannaGranny said un-Sulphured is the really important part with light regular doses to prevent a boom bust and the complications that come with it
 
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CannaGranny said:
Interesting as I am for sure that you have played yourself off as a newbie. I have seen you remark several times about this is my second grow or fourth grow etc. What’s up with that?
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I don't believe I ever said I was new to growing. My first outdoor grow was in fact in the 1960s. I have emphasized that I am new to indoor growing. There's a difference. I don't really count my outdoor growing as relevant to my indoor growing experience.

Regarding my indoor grows:
  1. Black Jack was last year and failed due to spider mites.
  2. Acapulco Gold was harvested last March.
  3. Black Jack is flowering and within a few weeks of harvest.
  4. Amnesia Haze is vegging and waiting for the flowering tent to become available.
Does that help? Does it even matter? Who here should feel a need to explain their history every time they post? My indoor growing history can be found in my grow diaries either here or on that other forum.

CannaGranny said:
Also explains why you have an answer before you even ask. I guess I just don’t get the game. Care to explain?
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Sometimes it's nice to have a second opinion. Perhaps some elaboration or exploration of the relevant science is helpful. Then again, sometimes there is more than one useful answer. In this case, there seems to be a contradiction. I put it as a question because I thought it might be less threatening if I approached it that way.

CannaGranny said:
Other people that I know that are your supposed age didn’t fit into the hippie scene and were targeted by the main stream about the evils of the green. Is this not the case? I NEVER read the Washington Post, but interesting parallels.
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Oh, my. Do you want to discuss politics and society beginning in the 1960s? Really? Sure, we were exposed to a lot back then. I knew many folks who liked marijuana, and I also knew many who didn't. The same is true today. Everyone was targeted by the propaganda of the time -- including hippies. Some saw it was bullshit immediately. Others still haven't. We're seeing a lot of propaganda now. Take the attacks on LGBT folks, for example. When we take away the rights of anyone, we will no longer be able to call this a free country. The goals of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" are being overtaken by bigotry and hatred.

CannaGranny said:
I have directly seen you post your supposed age, yet now, that was a joke?
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Do you ask for everyone's bio? When this forum starts asking for copies of birth certificates or state IDs, I'm out of here, along with just about everyone else.

I know you don't like me. I can live with that. Can you? I do not owe you any explanations. No one does. If you find me offensive, add me to your ignore list or just scroll on past my posts. I won't mind. This isn't my first forum.

CannaGranny said:
I don’t know about you. Something’s seem terribly amiss.
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I can't help about the shape I'm in
I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to

Oh, well

Now when I talked to God, I knew he'll understand
He said, "Sit by me and I'll be your guiding hand
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to

Mm-mm-mm, yeah

~ Oh Well by Fleetwood Mac. Album: Then Play On (1969)
 
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Aqua Man said:
I have opinions that may go a bit against the grain…. As with everything the benefit or detrimental effects are in the dose with a lot of contributing factors….

More microbes is not equal to better… with increased bioactivity comes increased demands for o2 and higher co2 production in the rootzone both of which are very important. Then trying to balance the boom bust of population that can cause PH swings and other issues. The speed of reproduction and die is quite amazing.

There are many different species that all perform specific functions. Further to this molasses will attract a few of these but not all.

Do i feel like molasses is always a benefit….. absolutely not and here is why. The only time a benefit can be seen through nutrients (not PGRs) is if there is a deficiency of a nutrient to begin with. Much like ppl and multivitamins or supplements we are led to believe that say potassium helps regulate water flow so we should supplement it…. But thats just plain wrong.

Can molasses be beneficial….. it absolutely can and I believe the way @CannaGranny and @B2ACG use it is likely to be beneficial…. I cannot say if its needed but a small regular dose may help for some.

-This all boils down to chemistry really.

-Microbes are not microbes they are vastly different and perform very different functions specific to the individual.

-adding molasses does not magically make certain microbes appear they already exist and it will simply cause a population increase of certain species which can be good or bad.

I was a nay sayer on the molasses for many years but if used in a light regular dose i can see there may be some benefit.

Organic nutrients themselves leads to reduced salts which n the soil. But remember salts are not what many of us think… its a chemical term and even microbes break nutrients down in chemical salts before being dissolved into water and into ionic form. Plants only take up nutrients in ionic form.

Personally i feel like organics is a bit of a sham in terms of the bullshit we are fed. But no denying its better for the environment.

I have no dog in the fight… and like most things it can be beneficial when used properly and for the right reasons…. Likewise it can create issues when used to much.

TLDR: molasses can be beneficial in the right circumstances but not all circumstances. Important note is what @CannaGranny said un-Sulphured is the really important part with light regular doses to prevent a boom bust and the complications that come with it
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Thanks @Aqua Man - That's pretty much what I've read about it elsewhere. I appreciate you taking the time to write about it. I also don't have a dog in the fight. This is too much fuss over two little tablespoons, and I'm too old to fight about anything. Fighting's bad for the health.

Peace.
 
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Amnesia said:
Thanks @Aqua Man - That's pretty much what I've read about it elsewhere. I appreciate you taking the time to write about it. I also don't have a dog in the fight. This is too much fuss over two little tablespoons, and I'm too old to fight about anything. Fighting's bad for the health.

Peace.
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No fights just discussions and opinions…. Opinions come from years of experience and knowledge and we all will have slightly different opinions depending on how we do things and our experiences with that.

I have no doubt that in many ppls experience molasses is a benefit more often than not when done right and in soil… especially because it effects nutrient ratios so if using it and you have your nutrients dialled then its now not just beneficial but a requirement per se.

Whereas someone else who has things dialled in without it may not see a benefit.

This goes a long way to the problems we often see when newer growers take bits and pieces of different advice and try to patch them together…. More often than not it causes a lot of issues.

When trying a new method or new to a style of grow its best to find someone who is successful at it and copy it to the letter…. After all growers like @CannaGranny have spent years upon years honing their style in and its shows…. She has put all the work in and sharing freely all that experience and if followed to the letter almost all but guarantees a successful grow.

but if your into learning at the possible cost of success then by all means mix match and try new things. This is my style… fuck around and learn shit for my own… im stubborn, curious and have a need to understand how things work. So for me it’s mostly about pushing the envelope and making mistakes…. Im gonna go out on a limb and say im not the only one here like that…. Cough cough @Moe.Red
 
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@Aqua Man - We mostly think alike. I like to try different things. I have chosen a style, though, and that's close to @Shaded's method. It's working for me, but I might try other methods in the future. It's important to keep in mind that we make decisions for ourselves, and we need to understand that we must live with the consequences of those decisions. There are many ways to grow cannabis successfully. No one should be upset because their advice isn't chosen. It's impossible to follow everyone's advice.
 
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Not gonna lie you came across far more condescending and full of yourself than him. Nothing he said deserves a vague threat to ban him. This is the picture of bad moderation and imo a forums quickest downfall.
 
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GrowHobo said:
Not gonna lie you came across far more condescending and full of yourself than him. Nothing he said deserves a vague threat to ban him. This is the picture of bad moderation and imo a forums quickest downfall.
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This is an ongoing thing that you know little about. But you are right, I should not have threatened to ban him. I have removed that post. Sorry you were subjected to a pissy attitude.
 
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GrowHobo said:
Not gonna lie you came across far more condescending and full of yourself than him. Nothing he said deserves a vague threat to ban him. This is the picture of bad moderation and imo a forums quickest downfall.
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There's often more to it than meets the eyes.

Hobo, you speak with little knowledge
 
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smoke said:
There's often more to it than meets the eyes.

Hobo, you speak with little knowledge
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I actually took the time to look through all his posts and not just in this tread, to make sure I wasn’t risking the ire of mods to defend a troll lol.

I wasn’t trying to start anything, I’d have said the same thing to my best friend. I want this place to grow and imo moderation is the most important part of forums. I’ve passed on joining several forums because moderators threw there weight around.

Admittedly if I have any hang ups as a person it’s a sensitivity to how people wield power. It was meant as an honest constructive criticism. Sorry. I will let this drop here.
 
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GrowHobo said:
I actually took the time to look through all his posts and not just in this tread, to make sure I wasn’t risking the ire of mods to defend a troll lol.
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@GrowHobo, he is a she.

I appreciate your honest response to my query.

Ruling with a iron fist isn't something we want either
 
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Aqua Man said:
No fights just discussions and opinions…. Opinions come from years of experience and knowledge and we all will have slightly different opinions depending on how we do things and our experiences with that.

I have no doubt that in many ppls experience molasses is a benefit more often than not when done right and in soil… especially because it effects nutrient ratios so if using it and you have your nutrients dialled then its now not just beneficial but a requirement per se.

Whereas someone else who has things dialled in without it may not see a benefit.

This goes a long way to the problems we often see when newer growers take bits and pieces of different advice and try to patch them together…. More often than not it causes a lot of issues.

When trying a new method or new to a style of grow its best to find someone who is successful at it and copy it to the letter…. After all growers like @CannaGranny have spent years upon years honing their style in and its shows…. She has put all the work in and sharing freely all that experience and if followed to the letter almost all but guarantees a successful grow.

but if your into learning at the possible cost of success then by all means mix match and try new things. This is my style… fuck around and learn shit for my own… im stubborn, curious and have a need to understand how things work. So for me it’s mostly about pushing the envelope and making mistakes…. Im gonna go out on a limb and say im not the only one here like that…. Cough cough @Moe.Red
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guilty.

with regards to molasses - when doing tissue culture carbs in the media are a requirement because of the nature of the process, the clones cannot photosynthesize and therefore cannot produce the carbs necessary to grow tissue. We don't use molasses but the carbs are a requirement.

Once the plants are photosynthesizing the plant will put up to 17% of the sugars it creates into the root zone to feed bennies. An equilibrium is formed between the plant and the rhizosphere. I like to get out of it's way as I am not clear on the myriad of interactions in the roots.
 
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