Watering Before Cannabis Harvest

Liz Filmer
29 Sep 2024

Watering is important when cannabis plants are flowering. You should continue to water regularly as needed and make sure to check the soil moisture every day to avoid overwatering. You should always water your plants in the morning so that most water is used during the day. Waterlogged roots at night will slow growth substantially.


Watering should be stopped for cannabis harvest. Do not water for a day or two before harvest. The soil should be fairly dry, but not so dry that the plants will droop. This will reduce drying time by a day or more, and will not affect the quality of the cannabinoids and terpenes.

Cannabis Fragrance at Harvest: Terpenes

The fragrance of flowering cannabis is often intense before, during, and after harvest. If the air surrounding the drying and manicuring space becomes stagnant, odours build up and become persistent. To help control fragrance, keep drying and manicure spaces well-ventilated. If possible, allow air to flow through the drying area to quickly eliminate fragrances.Keep the temperature below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Terpenes, or terpenoids, are the compounds in cannabis that give it its unique fragrance.

THC and other cannabinoids are odourless; the powerful fragrance of marijuana depends on which terpenes are predominant. It is the combination of terpenoids and THC that gives each strain its specific psychoactive flavour. Cannabinoids and terpenes often volatilize and are destroyed during flowering, harvesting, and storage as a result of high temperatures and abuse. The absence of these compounds diminishes the bouquet, and taste, and can also affect the overall effect of cannabis. Cannabis plants lose their fragrance for a combination of reasons; They all involve the destruction of terpenes or the creation of a poor environment for terpene development.

During flowering, plants that are subjected to harsh conditions—wind, rain, and overly hot sunlight or artificial light—tend to be less fragrant. Additionally, outdoor plants accumulate dust, bacteria, and other undesirable substances on their surfaces. When left on the plant, these contaminants can cause odours and accelerate the degradation of cannabinoids and terpenes.

Indoor environments are often more polluted than large, open spaces. These contaminants may also play a part in the decrease in fragrance. Terpenes and cannabinoids evaporate into the air from 119º C, and as the temperature rises, more and more disappear.

These can also be destroyed by humid weather, wind, rain, and rough handling and mishandling. Terpenoids may not have a chance to develop properly in plants that are growing under stressful conditions such as climate, care, and pest and disease attacks.

Ventilation During Cannabis Harvest

Abundance of ventilation and air circulation is necessary to support the drying of manicured flowering buds. Buds in these nets are turned by hand once or twice a day to ensure they dry evenly. When dried, cannabis can lose its fragrance if it is too hot and drying is done too quickly. Quick drying does not allow time for chlorophyll and other contaminants to dissipate, and they become fixed in the foliage. The lingering smell and taste of these undesirable elements are detectable when consumed.

When dried improperly and retains too much moisture, as in a compost heap, cannabis begins to decompose anaerobically. This process causes cannabis to smell like wet hay; in extreme cases have an ammonia-like odour. Plants may harbour powdery mildew and other diseases in their tissues that are impossible to detect without laboratory analysis.

Such diseases weaken plants and may also play a role in the deterioration of fragrance. Bacteria, microscopic pest debris and faeces, dust, and many other contaminants remain on the surface of cannabis foliage when it is harvested. These elements may also affect fragrance.

 Genetically some plants seem to be predisposed to have less aroma and losefragrance over time. Combined with weather conditions, genetics may play a role in reducing cannabis fragrance.

Flushing the Roots of the Cannabis Plant

Wash the soil thoroughly by flushing with clean water 5 to 7 days before harvest. This removes any fertilizer salts that have built up in the substrate, allowing the plant to make use of the balance of nutrients.

This article was originally published on The Soft Secrets Latin America Site:  https://softsecrets.com/es-419/articulo/el-riego-antes-de-la-cosecha-de-cannabis

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Liz Filmer