Using trichomes to determine harvest time.

I do a small grow each year and I'm very happy with the results. But I'm always looking to do better. One thing I'm kind of concerned about is that I might be waiting a little to long to start harvesting my plants. I grow Indica based plants and my flowering stage usually takes about 12 weeks. While everything I read suggests that it should take considerably less time. (I count flowering from the day I start 12/12 lighting.)

I've always used the trichome method to determine harvest time. And I would be interested in people's opinion on what exactly to look for in the trichomes. I'm under the impression that clear trichomes means they are not ready. Amber trichomes means they are past there prime and THC values are dropping rapidly. And cloudy trichomes mean they are just right. So the object is to harvest a plant when every trichome is cloudy. Which is usually not possible because different parts of the plant change at different times and I prefer harvesting the whole plant at one time.

So I'm interested in hearing what people think. What exactly do you look for? What combination of trichome conditions makes you decide to harvest? Are their any kind of signs I'm missing?

I have the growing part down to a science. Unfortunately the harvesting part still gives me a few small problems. Mostly because it seems to me that's it requires more guessing rather than making informed decisions. If somebody could make a strain that had a little red flag pop up when it's harvest time. They could make a fortune.

These help

Thank you. That center picture is probably the best description out there.

I think I might try to harvest them a little earlier this year.