How to cut
Whole plant
One cut is simple when the variety finishes evenly from top to bottom
Site by site
Pick only ripe flowers so shaded buds can catch the light and finish
Large clippers
Use sturdy shears on the main stem, then move material to the processing area within minutes
Manageable lengths
Branches cut to about 9 to 15 inches (25 to 35 cm) hang and handle more easily than full stalks
Staged harvest workflow
First pass
Take finished tops and outer sites that have had the most light
Second pass
Recheck the understory after about ten days of extra light
Workload
A large crop cut across two weeks is easier to manicure than one avalanche day
Standing strip
Removing a few fan leaves shortly before the cut can speed the table work
What happens next
Quick transfer
Do not leave cut plants in a heap. Get them to a cool holding or trim space fast
Branch first
Clip limbs from the main stem, then either trim on the branch or pop flowers off
Wet advantage
Fresh tissue stands up to the scissors and keeps trichomes attached
Home option
Some growers leave the last small leaves on as a shield until the flower is about to be used