[Kd2472]

I have been using the Carson pocket microscope on sugar leaves. I was reading that i should really be looking at the bud not the sugar leaf.

My problem is I have purchased a few varieties of jewelers loupes and I can't see the stronger portions. The 60% and 90% are too small for.my senior eyes.

The larger 30x i can see the trichomes but they always look the same. I cant tell the difference between glass, cloudy and amber.

I tried using the 30x and the phone on the camera. Which i can another 10 to 15 percent. When researching they say to look at the overall color of the bud. The pictures I took are from a bud's sugar leaf showing 15% amber using the Carson.

Could someone explain what I should be seeing with the jewelers loupe on the bud.

 

[Kd2472]

Here are a few more pictures

 

[Galgrows]

Here are a few more pictures

Hello it's not easy for most folks to read trichomes it take some time to find the balance of blurry to clearly reading. I move the looped in & out and take my time. Still it's not easy but the more you try the heads will become easier to view.
We like to see the whole plant also,can you tell us the strain? I'm not a youngster anymore either I'm gonna be 70yrs soon. But there's a few other ways to judge ripeness like dying leaves,white hairs turning all red an curling, plants not drinking as much and other visual signs.

 

[Kd2472]

I have had success looking at the overall plant, pistols curving down and browning, fan leaves yellowing from age in conjunction with the Carson microscope on the sugar leaves. Harvesting when 10 to 20% amber. After reading a few articles, they strongly suggested using the bud not the sugar leaves as i maybe harvesting to early. Similar to picking a pinkish tomato vs a red. Which is where my problem arises, the articles said to look at the buds on the plant with the jewelers loupe. Through the jewlers loop 30x. They all look the same. I can see the trichomes but they all look clear. If I take a piece of the bud and smash it flatish I can use the carson microscope to see the color variation. So, i guess my question is am I doing something wrong. Could you be able to tell if it was ready to be harvested with the pictures I posted? As thats the best i can visually access. I would hate to harvest a week early and lower the Thc level because of this..
Thanks again for your reply.

 

[Week4Bytch]

Just wait till after 60 days to start checking. And then wait some more, that is, if you like fat buds. You like small frail ones, chop earlier than that

 

[Kidkaos69]

Get a 100x wi-Fi microscope really easy to see on my iPad. They are not that expensive.

 

[Kd2472]

Thanks I will look into right now.

 

[grayoldnproud]

If you can see that then it's not the device's issue. You just need to know what to look for and where.

Judging Cannabis Ripeness by Trichomes: The Professional Grower’s Method — Ed Rosenthal

Learn how professional growers judge cannabis ripeness by examining trichome maturity, the most accurate way to time harvests for potency, flavor, and desired effects.

www.edrosenthal.com

 

[Kd2472]

Yes, you are 100% correct. That is my question waht should i look for?
I smushed a bud, elevated a 30x jewelers loupe an inch and then elevated my phone appropriately 8 inches.above that and increased magnification another 10 to 20 % To get those pictures.
Prior to this i pulled the sugar leaves and harvested when I had 20% dark amber. The articles I read so not to use the sugar leaves.
So, what am I looking.for? Should the trichomes be red? If so 10%? Darker red? When is the ideal time to harvest?
I ordered a 100x wi-Fi microscope which will hopefully allow me to see the buds on the plant. Which will hopefully helo.me visually access but as you said, I need to know what I am looking for..

Thank you for your reply

 

[Kd2472]

Yes, you are 100% correct. That is my question waht should i look for?
I smushed a bud, elevated a 30x jewelers loupe an inch and then elevated my phone appropriately 8 inches.above that and increased magnification another 10 to 20 % To get those pictures.
Prior to this i pulled the sugar leaves and harvested when I had 20% dark amber. The articles I read so not to use the sugar leaves.
So, what am I looking.for? Should the trichomes be red? If so 10%? Darker red? When is the ideal time to harvest?
I ordered a 100x wi-Fi microscope which will hopefully allow me to see the buds on the plant. Which will hopefully helo.me visually access but as you said, I need to know what I am looking for..

Thank you for your reply

Thank you for the link. It was very informative

 

[Bucket]

Take them down whenever you feel like it. Trichome head color is just one of several determining factors for harvest. I like to harvest plants in different stages of senescence. Earlier harvests when most of the pistils are still white and all the trichome heads are cloudy give me an uplifting motivational high where the harvest of buds with more red hairs and increased amber trichcome heads provides a more couch lock buzz. Both have their purposes in my life and probably would for you as well. It's the combination of both factors that I used for harvest timing. You'll learn more about timing as you get more grows under your belt.

 

[Kd2472]

Thanks, I guess i am focusing on what an article "say" rather then my years of gardening experience. And you are right I should harvest at different points.