Thursday, May 26, 2022 | 1 p.m.
Powered by Deep Roots Harvest
Cannabis legalization is revolutionary. We’re able to walk into a dispensary and buy flower, edibles, dabs and more. Long gone are the days of getting a bag full of seeds-and-stems, or being relegated to eating mystery brownies from a friend of a friend. The marijuana-buying process is streamlined and clean, and so is the product. Here’s a look at the lifecycle of cannabis and the processes it goes through before reaching your hands.
1. Cloning
Timeframe: 2.5 weeks
The process for large-scale growing typically begins with cloning, a method of reproducing plants using an existing or parent plant. Growers cut and root a healthy clipping, creating a genetic copy of the original plant. This allows cultivators to quickly and efficiently multiply any strain and guarantee its genetic consistency.
2. Vegetation
Timeframe: 5 weeks
After cloning, plants enter the vegetation stage,which allows them to root comfortably and ensure viability. Plants in this stage are put in a controlled environment with 18 hours of light and six hours of darkness. The vegetation stage provides plants with ideal conditions and sets the stage for optimal growth later.
3. Flowering
Timeframe: 9 weeks
Like the vegetation stage, the flowering stage uses a controlled environment to facilitate a major growth spurt—each plant will double or triple in size during this stage and begin to flower, or “bud.” Plants are given 12 hours of light and 12 hours darkness. The amount of time the plants spend in this stage varies depending on the strain.
4. Pre-harvest Flushing
Once out of the flowering stage, the plants are almost ready to be harvested. However, before that can happen, plants go through a process called “flushing.” During this phase, growers use water to remove any nutrients ingrained in the soil to keep it as clean as possible. Clean soil enhances the flavor profiles of each plant for a flavorful, smooth smoke.
5. Harvest
Timeframe: One day
It’s almost time to harvest when the leaves of the plant turn a pale green. At this point, there’s about a week before harvesting will commence. Cultivators begin by trimming all the large leaves and some leaf tips close to the buds with precision and care prior to harvesting.
6. Drying
Timeframe: 6-10 days
Each bud is hung upside down to dry naturally and protect it from mold.
7. Curing
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
The last step of the harvesting process is curing. Cultivators take the dried buds and put them in separate barrels to mature. The flavor enhances and develops the longer the buds are cured. This also increases the shelf life of the product. It’s like aging a fine wine.
8. Testing
One of the most vital steps is the testing process. Small batches are sent to a certified lab for testing to ensure that every strain meets the state’s requirements. This also allows growers to note the precise details of the product for consumers, including THC percentages and more.
9. Packaging and Distribution
All cannabis products are packaged in childproof containers, vacuum packed and sealed with nitrogen to remove any traces of oxygen—this keeps dried cannabis fresh. From there, each order is packed and shipped by hand to ensure the best product and happiest vibes.
Grown and packaged in sunny Mesquite
All Deep Roots Harvest products are grown, processed and packaged at its plant in Mesquite.
