Creating high-CBD yield in hemp depends on many factors, the foundation of which begins with selecting the proper seed. Without this, regardless of all the work that follows, know ahead of time that your crop can not yield that which it’s not genetically engineered for. There are many varieties of CBD-rich hemp available for cultivation and one may more appeal than another based on its intended purpose.
While marijuana has long been engineered to yield ever higher levels of THC, the idea that this could be beneficial in hemp is a relatively new idea. The legal maximum quantity of THC in hemp is .03 percent. Anything over that means the entire crop is rendered illegal and will be destroyed.
As CBD’s benefits and early indicators of possible medical applications and impacts have come to light, consumers in search of alternatives to conventional treatments have opened up demand for growers to produce CBD-rich crops. In addition to selecting the proper seed whose genetics will bring this outcome, growers need to be mindful of providing the proper nutrients and plenty of water throughout the growing season.
Harvesting at the right time is a critical part of ensuring your crop the maximum CBD potency. CBD content will drop sharply after it’s reached its peak, and since hemp grown for CBD is generally harvested by hand, having enough labor to bring the crop in timely is also important. If labor may be a concern, consider planting on a staggered schedule that will allow a longer harvest period. By doing this, you will have built in a buffer to alleviate getting the entire crop in at once.
Harvesting too early will inhibit maximum production of CBD and may impact other components as well. Do not harvest until at least 60 percent of the white hairs on the plant have turned amber. This window extends to a 90 percent turn, but leaving the plants much longer at this point, will cause quality to degrade. It is during this period that hemp also produces higher levels of cannabinol (CBN), a mildly psychoactive component that has antibacterial properties and is shown to be beneficial in treating inflammation, pain, seizures and insomnia. CBD, CBN and THC work together to provide best outcomes, and timing effects development. Finally, proper curing of harvested material is the next step in ensuring quality and potency. If plants aren’t properly dried and cured, they can mildew and collect unwanted material in the bud, resulting in lower market value.
Comments