Harvest & Post-Harvest
Comparing Post-Harvest Processes with Small Experiments
Drying, curing, trimming, and packaging comparisons are more useful when variables are controlled, treatments are replicated, measurements are standardized, and conclusions stay within what the experiment actually tested.
Key concepts
- Changing several variables at once prevents attribution
- Replicates help separate treatment effects from natural flower-to-flower variation
- Sample position and cultivar can influence results
- Quality outcomes should be defined before the comparison begins
What to measure or observe
- State the question and treatment difference
- Use comparable starting material
- Replicate treatments where possible
- Measure the same outcomes with the same methods
- Keep raw observations and avoid selecting only favorable examples
Common mistakes
- Comparing one branch against another cultivar and calling the difference a drying effect
- Using different meters or sampling locations between treatments
- Changing airflow and temperature together without recognizing both changed
- Generalizing from one small trial to every cultivar
Visuals this lesson still needs
- Controlled post-harvest trial layout
- Replication example
- Confounded-versus-controlled comparison
- Result interpretation checklist