Biggest mistake is to chop too early. First white pistils form. Then they fill in to make the followers or buds. then they start to turn orange or red. Do not harvest yet. WAIT until after most of the hairs change color, the calyxes will swell adding much weight. Do not pick until you see the calyxes swell and the hairs RECEED or SHRINK back into the bud. That is the plant telling you it is time to harvest. Forget about trichomes and microscopes! Learn the stages the plant goes through, and watch for the visual cues.