What am I looking for next in the flowering stage

[dogg91702]

First time growing this plant, outdoor growing in So. Cal. I made it to flowering, am I now looking to see firm buds and crystals? Thank you

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

I made it to flowering, am I now looking to see firm buds and crystals?

You'll eventually see trichomes growing on the buds and the leaves near the buds. They do look like crystals to the naked eye. Looking at those using magnification is the best way to determine when to harvest. You're still weeks away from harvesting.

 

[dogg91702]

You'll eventually see trichomes growing on the buds and the leaves near the buds. They do look like crystals to the naked eye. Looking at those using magnification is the best way to determine when to harvest.

Got it, with those, the buds will start forming and getting bigger?

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

Got it, with those, the buds will start forming and getting bigger?

The buds are forming. They're the things with white hair-like parts, known as pistils. They'll grow a lot bigger. The pistils will turn yellow and then dark amber color. When most of the pistils are dark, it's time to start looking at the trichomes.

I recommend buying a 15X jeweler's loupe to look at the trichomes. They can't be checked without magnification. Some folks use a handheld microscope or a macro attachment for their phone camera. I've tried those but ended up using a loupe after the microscope died.

 

[dogg91702]

The buds are forming. They're the things with white hair-like parts, known as pistils. They'll grow a lot bigger. The pistils will turn yellow and then dark amber color. When most of the pistils are dark, it's time to start looking at the trichomes.

I recommend buying a 15X jeweler's loupe to look at the trichomes. They can't be checked without magnification. Some folks use a handheld microscope or a macro attachment for their phone camera. I've tried those but ended up using a loupe after the microscope died.

This is good advice, I appreciate it, this is what I was looking got. Especially the loupe with magnification. Thank you this is greatly appreciated

 

[THCosmic]

This is good advice, I appreciate it, this is what I was looking got. Especially the loupe with magnification. Thank you this is greatly appreciated

Yes, you definitely need magnification to monitor the maturity of trichomes. If you are going to want the help of the community when determining the ripeness of your buds I recommend getting a handheld digital microscope. They cost maybe $20-$30 while a jewelers loupe is about $10, but you get actual images you can show all of us to help you out. The jewelers loupe I would recommend once you have more experience identifying trichome maturity, specifically once you figure out the ratio of cloudy to amber that you prefer since everyone will tell you to harvest when they prefer.

 

[Chloecat]

Use a loupe with a light source. I often go out at night and eyeball them. Everything shows up better.

 

[Chloecat]

Use a loupe with a light source. I often go out at night and eyeball them. Everything shows up better.

 

[Ninjadogma]

That is some dense early flower growth right there! Looking sweet for sure. Watch out for that heat wave arriving tomorrow. One of the things that comes from the heat is larfy buds but that girl is laying down a solid foundation for you out the gate. When it gets up to 100° or higher you might want to move it into the shade. Nice thing about container growing is being able to get them out of harms way like the howling Santa Ana's or when it's blazing. ! I've got a big ass golden raintree in the yard I park them under.

Time wise so you aren't watching too early, you'll want to start taking a closer look at the buds around the end of September. Typical chop around here they are ready somewhere around mid to late October but that one looks like it's off to an early start, so hey... keep us posted, throw some updated pics into this thread from time to time as you get further down the road so we can enjoy too. Wishing the best for your grow!

 

[Ninjadogma]

I wanna throw some ornaments on that thing and celebrate Christmas in August

 

[MrSirDankManThe1st]

help

 

[dogg91702]

That is some dense early flower growth right there! Looking sweet for sure. Watch out for that heat wave arriving tomorrow. One of the things that comes from the heat is larfy buds but that girl is laying down a solid foundation for you out the gate. When it gets up to 100° or higher you might want to move it into the shade. Nice thing about container growing is being able to get them out of harms way like the howling Santa Ana's or when it's blazing. ! I've got a big ass golden raintree in the yard I park them under.

Time wise so you aren't watching too early, you'll want to start taking a closer look at the buds around the end of September. Typical chop around here they are ready somewhere around mid to late October but that one looks like it's off to an early start, so hey... keep us posted, throw some updated pics into this thread from time to time as you get further down the road so we can enjoy too. Wishing the best for your grow!

Thanks bro, yeah this one looks good, my other 2 are trailing behind but were different type of seeds so I know they will grow different. Thanks for the tip on the sun, I will try to put them under the shade, or at least behind the avocado tree. Looks like it is hitting 100 Thursday. Yeah I will post some updates for sure

 

[dogg91702]

help

Thank you

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

The phone camera macro attachments are convenient for sharing pictures. Other than trichomes, we sometimes need to be able to identify pests. So, they're helpful for that, as well. I recently saw one from Spider Farmer that I might buy. It has the best attachment mechanism I've ever seen.

2026 Spider Farmer 200X Microscope Magnifier – SmartPhone Lens with LED & UV, Nano Zoom, CPL, Clip-On for iPhone & Android - Spider Farmer Official

Knowing when to harvest starts with the trichomes. Use this 200X microscope lens with LED, UV, and CPL to examine plant buds clearly on your phone—perfect for serious growers.

www.spider-farmer.com

 

[Ninjadogma]

The phone camera macro attachments are convenient for sharing pictures. Other than trichomes, we sometimes need to be able to identify pests. So, they're helpful for that, as well. I recently saw one from Spider Farmer that I might buy. It has the best attachment mechanism I've ever seen.

2026 Spider Farmer 200X Microscope Magnifier – SmartPhone Lens with LED & UV, Nano Zoom, CPL, Clip-On for iPhone & Android - Spider Farmer Official

Knowing when to harvest starts with the trichomes. Use this 200X microscope lens with LED, UV, and CPL to examine plant buds clearly on your phone—perfect for serious growers.

www.spider-farmer.com

Pest management around these parts for sure gotta have it. Especially right now I've been chasing butterflies out of the regular garden which goes so well with the rest of the fam. Where's dad? Oh your father's out in the yard chasing butterflies

BT and spinosad once a week to keep the harvest from looking bleak.

 

[dogg91702]

Pest management around these parts for sure gotta have it. Especially right now I've been chasing butterflies out of the regular garden which goes so well with the rest of the fam. Where's dad? Oh your father's out in the yard chasing butterflies

BT and spinosad once a week to keep the harvest from looking bleak.

I am about to spray another round of BT to ight. I was getting little rolled up leaves that looked like they were slimed, it turned out to there was little caterpillars in the middle. Only 1 plant got them, I haven’t seen anymore since spraying BT.

 

[dogg91702]

Update. Looking healthy