Harvest timing

[CannabisMingus]

I am working my way through Rosenthal's Marijuana Grower's Handbook and he said something that made me pause. He stated that terpene and cannabinoid levels peak at dawn and hit lowest levels at dusk. (p. 74).

If so, wouldn't you want to harvest right after lights on?

 

[automan2]

After growing weed for so long, I'm sure a lot of us have tried various techniques to improve results. Harvest timing is important to me as I want some to wake up, some to motivate and some to knock my old ass out.
Sounds like the lights on/off timing refers to photos as most auto growers have very little off time so it doesn't sound applicable.
Personally I run photos and autos together so I'm running 12/12 all the time....being a perpetual grower for years, my harvest timing has to do with trics more than dawn or dusk, although I do usually harvest in the am. As I grow a lot of varieties, I'll chose one or two strains and split the harvest to get more up for mornings, some for motivation and late nuggs for sleep aid. TBH I never noticed much effect due to dawn/dusk harvest.
I'm sure there's some in depth explanation why there is difference but most of us only smoke for a test.

 

[NorthernLights_420]

I harvest whenever also. It doesnt matter to me as long as the buds are done and the trichs are at least cloudy if they're not turning amber after all cloudy for a while I'll chop. But I usually wait til I see a little amber in the trichs b4 harvest. Buds will look done. Not a lot of white hairs growing out of them anymore and you'll notice them showing down on swelling also and drinking as much. Good luck n happy growin!

 

[NorthernLights_420]

I have read that some growers harvest there plants at dark. And some leave them in the dark a few days before harvest also. Something to do with extra trichome production if I remember right. But I've never tried that. I know molasses can work a treat towards the end of flower.