Q&A with Jorge: Wet Buds
Q&A with Jorge
Large Harvest
Hey Jorge,
I have a large plant that produced a massive harvest. I want to leave the trunk in the ground so that the plant can grow again next year. ‘What are the pros and cons?
Darius
Hey Darius,
Take out an insurance policy in case the big plant does not make it. Make several clones before or during harvest. Take them from lower growth. Give the clones 18-24 hours of light during rooting. They will start vegetative growth in about 6-8 weeks. Hold the clones all winter and plant in the spring.
You live in a warm climate that is not prone to hard freezes. You can harvest the plant and leave a few lower branches and foliage to gather sunlight and maintain plant processes.
Big marijuana plants like this take a crew of people to harvest. Three of the 10-pound-plants on this farm could be harvested daily. Always plan on enough time to harvest and ensure plenty of drying space.
The longer you leave plants in the ground the more prone they are to pest and disease attacks. Cut the main stem off at a 45-degree angle so that no moisture sets on the flat spot. If the stem is soft and pithy or has a hollow in it, you should cover the wound to exclude pests and diseases. Believe it or not Duct Tape is one of the best sealers for wounds! We have been using Duct Tape for many years with excellent success. Tree tar is also another good sealer.
The plant could be some of the only supple green vegetation around this winter, which makes it a prime target for large pests such as rodents, rabbits and deer. Exclude these pests by covering the plant with a low-slung (for security) wire dome. Place a few mouse traps around if mice are a problem, but remember any “food” on the trap will attract animal attention. Also squirt a good line of Deadline Snail and Slug bait around the perimeter of the plant at least a foot from the trunk.
Apply mulch around the plant to improve soil and retain moisture. Keep the mulch 15-30 cm away from main stem so that mice do not girdle (remove the woody growth) it.
Small plants can be cut at the base to harvest. Then individual branches can be removed to manicure buds.
Do not fertilize after harvest. The plant will be in a holding pattern and will try to grow more flowers and seeds. The plant should hang on to life through the winter and resume growth in the spring. If your climate is warm enough, you could easily harvest a respectable spring crop.
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