Marijuana Business Magazine October 2019

Marijuana Business Magazine | October 2019 110 P roperly executing the harvest is a critical step after the hard work of getting a cannabis crop all the way through the vegetative and flowering stage. Depending on the cultivation facil- ity, the workforce and desired end product, cultivators should consider the following: • What is the best method to achieve the sought-after results? • How to get the plants ready to be cut down. • How to prepare the crop area so employees can harvest the plants efficiently. “The key is balancing efficiency and quickness with doing it right without harming any of the flower,” said Brandon Pollock, CEO of Theory Wellness in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Select a Method At Otis Gardens in Hood River, Oregon, Lead Grower Pieter Summs oversees an indoor operation that is primarily hydroponic-based. It operates on a 10-week flower cycle. His crew harvests the crop one of two ways, depending on whether the plants will be used for concentrates or flower. With the first method, the cannabis is “bucked down,” so that the flower components are removed from the main stalk. Summs chooses this method when he wants to use the cannabis for Harvest How-Tos Cultivators share tips on cutting, hanging and drying cannabis Best Practices In Cultivation | Bart Schaneman Marijuana cultivators need to maintain solid growing practices all the way through harvest to ensure the hard work of raising a good crop isnʼt wasted. Growers looking to properly gather their flower for production or sale should consider: • Flushing cannabis toward the end of the growing cycle to remove the taste of added nutrients and fertilizers from smoked flower. • Techniques to get the plants ready for harvest, including dialing down temperature and humidity. • The importance of preparing your rooms and staff for harvest day to maximize efficiency and save time. • Sanitizing the harvest area to prevent mold and mildew contamination. • Selecting the right method of cut- ting down the plant, depending on the desired end product. Otis Gardens in Hood River, Oregon, operates on a 10-week flower cycle. Courtesy Photo