lol approaching week 12 in the micro and week 11 in the mains. I'm wondering the same thing myself.
Comparing my mh flowering rounds to my hps rounds. I noticed my trich's oxidized into amber faster from the uv emission. Leading to a sooner harvest.
But last round and this round using hps. The trichomes seem to take longer to mature. This allows me to extend my flowering time into the yield peak zone before the ambers show up.
That's my belief
Definitely something to be said about checking teh trichs for maturity. Way to bring the point home. Imagine the loss in yield and quality mature trichs you would have lost had you already harvested.
That's right I wanna stress the concept. Cause the ladies throw you curveball, shrivvelled up leaves turning brown at the end and falling off, red pistols pulled in, color changes.
Those are signs she is headed there.
But like you said, if you don't keep a close eye on your trichomes you will lose on yield and resin.
Looks can be very deceiving.
They are swelling, chunking, and stacking in these final days each day. It is most noticeable during this phase.
And like you said. There would have been a good size loss if harvested sooner. Especially since I'm looking at a possible set of 12 weekers.