Harvest & Curing Testing for potency before harvest

[Surfer Joe]

What is the best way to take a small bit of a flowering plant to test for potency before harvesting the whole plant?
What can you take to avoid disrupting or harming the plant?
How can you dry it for smoking without waiting a long time while the plant continues to ripen?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[DABaracuss]

I take a small sample from the middle or close to the top ..some use an oven on 220 ..if you cut it up small it dries faster..I use a food dehydrator ..some even use a microwave! good luck!:stylez rasta smoke:

 

[Surfer Joe]

Thanks. I decided to leave them alone for now, but it's good to know. I wouldn't want to cut off anything that might harm their development.

 

[newbud]

good man just leave it un till the big chop day yes it may be temping to have a taste just just wait it will be worth it .

its bit like eating some thing half cooked .

 

[vapeo]

its bit like eating some thing half cooked .

love that analogy

 

[nuskool89]

What is the best way to take a small bit of a flowering plant to test for potency before harvesting the whole plant?
What can you take to avoid disrupting or harming the plant?
How can you dry it for smoking without waiting a long time while the plant continues to ripen?
Thanks for any advice.

There is no way to test for potency before harvest and cure. The THC, CBD, and all other terpenes/terpenoids are constantly shifting through the grow-drying-and curing. You will not have any accurate gauge as to what you will end up with until you're done curing.

Here is a quick paragraph on wikipedia regarding thc-thca
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and a really cool article on terps
Terpenes and Terpenoids in CANNABIS - Info

and another on cbd, cbn, and cbc.
Medicinal Cannabinoid FAQ: What are THC, CBD, CBN, CBC and

 

[low_and_slow]

I steam bud in the microwave to test...trim a lower nug, put it in a sandwich size tupperware with a folded dry paper towel on bottom, moist towel over the top. Cover loosely with lid and run for 1min at and time and 40% power until it's dry enough to smoke.

 

[faded187]

dude I got a pregnant tutankhamon and every morning I pick 2 nugs off chop up in small pieces lay it out on my direct tv box and ready to smoke in 2 hrs shes about 2 weeks from done and the other buds still pak on weight everyday but shes a photo......if its good now have to b real good in 2 weeks heh

 

[blessedinwashington]

I take a popcorn bud that won't amount to anything and stick it straight into my vape, an arizer solo. No need to dry it, just heat it up and puff away. It does give you an idea of what you have. I have no ability to wait until harvest, and then another week to dry and at least 2-3 weeks to cure part way. I just HAVE to have a taste!

 

[anonamoose]

lol i got a purple cheese close to finish and i keep takin 'samples' from it. i dry it on the radiator in 30 mins and it still tastes better than street weed lol