toronjadeoro
Well-Known Member
Okay, I found some new insight regarding the apparently 3 different types of trichomes: capitate-stalked trichomes, bulbous trichomes & capitate-sessile trichomes. According to the article to which I credit a fellow of the moniker "Elephantman" at marijuanapassion.com, this is how each is defined:
"Bulbous:
The bulbous type is the smallest (15-30 micron). From one to four cells make up the "foot" and "stalk," and one to four cells make up the "head" of the gland. Head cells secrete a resin - presumably cannabinoids, and related compounds which accumulate between the head cells and the cuticle. When the gland matures, a nipple-like protrusion may form on the membrane from the pressure of the accumulating resin. The bulbous glands are found scattered about the surfaces of the above-ground plant parts.
Capitate-Sessile:
The second type of gland is much larger & is more numerous than the bulbous glands. They are called capitate, which means having a globular-shaped head. On immature plants, the heads lie flush, appearing not to have a stalk and are called capitate sessile. They actually have a stalk that is one cell high, although it may not be visible beneath the globular head. The head is composed of usually eight, but up to 16 cells, that form a convex rosette. These cells secrete cannabinoids, and related compounds which accumulate between the rosette and it's outer membrane. This gives it a spherical shape. The gland measures from 25 to 100 micron across.
Capitate-Stalked:
Cannabinoids are most abundant in the capitate-stalked gland which consists of a tier of secretory disc cells subtending a large non-cellular secretory cavity. During flowering the capitate glands that appear on the newly formed plant parts take on a third form. Some of the glands are raised to a height of 150 to 500 micron when their stalks elongate. These capitate-stalked glands appear during flowering and form their densest cover on the female flower bracts. They are also highly concentrated on the small leaves that accompany the flowers. The male flowers have stalked glands on the sepals, but they are smaller and less concentrated than on the female bracts. Male flowers form a row of very large capitate glands along the opposite sides of anthers." (end of citation)
So, since cannabinoids are most abundant in the capitate-stalked glands, maybe it is to these which I should be paying most close attention for determining ideal trichome color distribution? The 10% amber I've seen on mine on the "lower, longer" leaves along the bud (how about that for eloquence?) I believe are the bulbous type trichomes; they appear to lie flat on the leaf. The article did not mention anything about which trichomes form first, so that may be a contributing factor as well.
I thought this was very interesting information and thought it might help us arrive at the answer I'm still looking for. Here's the link to the full article if any are interested:
http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1938
Thanks again in advance, K0ijn!
"Bulbous:
The bulbous type is the smallest (15-30 micron). From one to four cells make up the "foot" and "stalk," and one to four cells make up the "head" of the gland. Head cells secrete a resin - presumably cannabinoids, and related compounds which accumulate between the head cells and the cuticle. When the gland matures, a nipple-like protrusion may form on the membrane from the pressure of the accumulating resin. The bulbous glands are found scattered about the surfaces of the above-ground plant parts.
Capitate-Sessile:
The second type of gland is much larger & is more numerous than the bulbous glands. They are called capitate, which means having a globular-shaped head. On immature plants, the heads lie flush, appearing not to have a stalk and are called capitate sessile. They actually have a stalk that is one cell high, although it may not be visible beneath the globular head. The head is composed of usually eight, but up to 16 cells, that form a convex rosette. These cells secrete cannabinoids, and related compounds which accumulate between the rosette and it's outer membrane. This gives it a spherical shape. The gland measures from 25 to 100 micron across.
Capitate-Stalked:
Cannabinoids are most abundant in the capitate-stalked gland which consists of a tier of secretory disc cells subtending a large non-cellular secretory cavity. During flowering the capitate glands that appear on the newly formed plant parts take on a third form. Some of the glands are raised to a height of 150 to 500 micron when their stalks elongate. These capitate-stalked glands appear during flowering and form their densest cover on the female flower bracts. They are also highly concentrated on the small leaves that accompany the flowers. The male flowers have stalked glands on the sepals, but they are smaller and less concentrated than on the female bracts. Male flowers form a row of very large capitate glands along the opposite sides of anthers." (end of citation)
So, since cannabinoids are most abundant in the capitate-stalked glands, maybe it is to these which I should be paying most close attention for determining ideal trichome color distribution? The 10% amber I've seen on mine on the "lower, longer" leaves along the bud (how about that for eloquence?) I believe are the bulbous type trichomes; they appear to lie flat on the leaf. The article did not mention anything about which trichomes form first, so that may be a contributing factor as well.
I thought this was very interesting information and thought it might help us arrive at the answer I'm still looking for. Here's the link to the full article if any are interested:
http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1938
Thanks again in advance, K0ijn!