How long till I chop?

Thundercat

Thundercat

Well-Known Member
The first problem new growers have is the idea that flowering starts at the 12/12 flip. It does NOT start until you see flowers forming. This idea makes them think their plants have been flowering 1-3 weeks longer then they actually have. Most breeders know that.....unless a breeder specifically mentions 12/12 time, they are talking about time from first flowers.

Secondly what the breeder suggests on time frame is basically irrelevant. His garden is different from yours, and there is a huge chance you do not have the same phenotype as the breeder so your plants will not grow the same.

Third, the very best quality comes from fully matured buds. We don't need to get confused with all the early harvest gives this kind of high and late harvest gives that. None of that is as important as growing healthy plants to proper maturity. The difference in high is huge, but not how you think.

Lastly your plants need 3-5 weeks depending on your grow environment. They are a indica dom hybrid, not "heavy indica" from looking at them. So taking 9-10 actual weeks of flower would be very normal, and depending on stress and environment try could take longer.
 
Paju

Paju

Active Member
Brettman said:
I just cut some at 9 weeks and the high is terrible. The rest ended up going 12 weeks and the difference is incredible.
Click to expand...
What were the difference in the trichs if you don’t mind me asking? That kind of difference in time must have shown some very different colours?
 
Paju

Paju

Active Member
Thundercat said:
The first problem new growers have is the idea that flowering starts at the 12/12 flip. It does NOT start until you see flowers forming. This idea makes them think their plants have been flowering 1-3 weeks longer then they actually have. Most breeders know that.....unless a breeder specifically mentions 12/12 time, they are talking about time from first flowers.

Secondly what the breeder suggests on time frame is basically irrelevant. His garden is different from yours, and there is a huge chance you do not have the same phenotype as the breeder so your plants will not grow the same.

Third, the very best quality comes from fully matured buds. We don't need to get confused with all the early harvest gives this kind of high and late harvest gives that. None of that is as important as growing healthy plants to proper maturity. The difference in high is huge, but not how you think.

Lastly your plants need 3-5 weeks depending on your grow environment. They are a indica dom hybrid, not "heavy indica" from looking at them. So taking 9-10 actual weeks of flower would be very normal, and depending on stress and environment try could take longer.
Click to expand...
This^

Thanks for the reply. I could imagine I will be looking a while longer If this is the case.
So I have to base it on first sight of flowers? And that should be taken as day 1 of flower therefore.
Is this all of course overruled by how the trichomes are looking?
 
Paju

Paju

Active Member
leather lungs said:
You can have the best bud you ever grew but if you don't dry and cure it properly it can be total trash. Talking from experience. Slow dry and at least a month cure. Brings out all the hidden goodness.
Click to expand...
Being my first, I’m gunna sneak a couple gram because I will be too excited but I have enough bud to keep me going for a month or two cure :D
 
diggs99

diggs99

Well-Known Member
Paju said:
This^

Thanks for the reply. I could imagine I will be looking a while longer If this is the case.
So I have to base it on first sight of flowers? And that should be taken as day 1 of flower therefore.
Is this all of course overruled by how the trichomes are looking?
Click to expand...
Yes if tricomes are turning amber the calender matters less, then its about watching the plant and chopping it when it gets to the ratio of tricomes you want/like

I think his main point is, theres no set time, breeders dont even know really, because of the different phenos , grow environments etc...so you can use the 8-10 weeks from the first sign of flowers as a guideline, but you also have to make sure to be checking the plant for ripeness.
 
Thundercat

Thundercat

Well-Known Member
I don't even think about looking at trichomes until the plant shows me the other signs of ripeness!

The stigma(pistils) will redden and receed towards the buds. At this point most outward bud growth will slow or stop. They are not done yet. Once the outward growth stops the plants still need to internally swell, and mature. So after the stigma change usually over about 10-20 days the bracts(calyxs) will swell individually, and the buds will mature and pack on significant weight! Towards the end of this ripening period the trichomes can be checked and final harvest date chosen.

Once you get a few harvests under your belt you will be able to watch the signs the plant gives us, and know when to check for the details. If you run the same strain for a few grows or years you won't need to check trichomes anymore either. You'll know once you see those signs that it will be ready in x amount of days or weeks.

This also isn't an exact science where if you dont harvest on one specific day then your harvest is ruined. There are many variables and a lot of flexibility.
 
diggs99

diggs99

Well-Known Member
Here's a few pics I just snapped

Sorry hps is on for the loupe pics, not good enough with camera and loupe and lens to do it al lol

Tricomes are all mostly cloudy with few clears and ambers mixed around
 

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