The Final Stretch

This self-paced virtual course walks you through the final phases of cultivating cannabis. We cover how to care for your plants as they transition from the vegetative to the flowering stage with an emphasis on maximizing yields. Then, we walk through harvesting and processing with a focus on techniques that bring out the best in the plants while remaining compliant along the way.

We begin with the flowering stage, the life cycle most strongly associated with cannabis cultivation — the emergence of the sticky flowers, or “buds,” that the plant is so well known for. We explain how changes in the photoperiod prompt the start of the flowering stage. We demonstrate how to sex cannabis plants grown from seed by examining the earliest signs of flower development. Then, we introduce cultivation techniques for the late flowering stage and recognize when flowers reach their optimal maturity. We also discuss how to plan outcrop cycles in order to maximize the number of plantings.

Then, we walk through the entire process of harvesting and processing your crop. We demonstrate proper harvesting and manicuring techniques and explore equipment that can be used to automate some of those tasks. We discuss proper dry room conditions and the importance of curing and storing your crop properly to bring out the best qualities in the biomass and maximize its shelf life.

Then, we learn about analytical lab testing requirements for harvested cannabis biomass and how to interpret the results of potency and quality analyses. Finally, we discuss the allocation and transport of your crop and outline how to do so in an efficient and compliant manner.