It is the most accurate way to determine when is the best time to harvest.
Not every strain will follow the clear, milky/cloudy, amber trichome progression that most people assume is all trichomes will do, though most do. Some will begin clear, others a clear-yellow, others a clear-amber and I have seen clear-reddish and clear-purple. In the cases where they do not begin just clear (no coloration) you wait for clouding. They may never change to a different color, they may only cloud. When mostly, or all, cloudy that would equate to a clear trichome that turned milky/cloudy and be a sign that it is time to harvest. If someone waits and waits and waits for a color change that will never occur they will end up harvesting late.
Yet when pistils turn from orange/red to eventually brown, we know they are no longer producing oil...correct?. And if this the case, then there is some merit to aging. I have read quite a bit on the subject, some prefer earlier harvest for less CBD's etc, I always considered that aspect a grower's choice or preference as opposed to a necessity. I have a sativa here I had to force flower, somehow I screwed up last Spring and mixed up a bean...I have no idea what it is!. It took 17 days to show the first pistil. It is now at day 70, I'm guessing another 3 weeks minimum. That's why I bought the microscope, the other strains I've worked with already so I know when they're done...but not this one.
THC, CBD and CBC all begin with the same precursor element, CBGA. Different alleles determine how much CBGA becomes THCA or CBDA or CBCA, (which of course then become THC, CBD and CBC) not age/length of flower, harvesting earlier or later.
Thank you for this. I think I may have purchased a microscope that is too powerful. I removed a bud leaf and have it focused in here at 60X. There's a bug on this leaf that cannot be seen with the naked eye, looks like a horror movie or an extra from the remake of King Kong!. 60X is the lowest setting, do I need to exchange this for a 30-40?.THC, CBD and CBC all begin with the same precursor element, CBGA. Different alleles determine how much CBGA becomes THCA or CBDA or CBCA, (which of course then become THC, CBD and CBC) not age/length of flower, harvesting earlier or later.
What comes with harvesting later is increased amounts of CBN. CBN is pretty much a waste byproduct of lost/degreaded/oxidized THC. It is only mildly psychoactive and it causes confusion and drowsiness, neither being a true high or a true stone. Sadly, many believe the confusion and drowsiness to be a sign of increased potency and a true couchlock stone so they throw away THC in favor of increased levels of CBN.
Now I got it, the inversion threw me off...still clear after 70 days.
First off, I'm a nooby but I do agree. If you know your plants, then you will know when they change to "ripe". Bassically, I'm looking for "Fall colors".
There are those who believe in keeping their plants green right up until harvest. I have seen some breeder information on strains say to get the best results keep the plant green right to the end. If someone believes in keeping plants green or grows a strain where the breeder says for best results keep them green then there will not be any "Fall colors." What would you then use to judge when to harvest?
no problem
