How/when to harvest? Microscope/lens? What can I harvest and what to do with it?

[bibsoconner]

I don’t think my plant is ready for harvesting yet, but I want to be ready. I’ve gone to the “Learn” section of this site but not finding what I need (I even looked at it when not stoned :)). In general, I want to be ready to harvest and know what to do (and not do).

1. How do I know when my plant is ready for harvest? I suspect answers based on time or size of bud might not be 100% helpful in my case. If you read my earlier posts, I made a lot of rookie mistakes. This plant started inside, almost died, went outside, and is now back inside. It’s amazing it’s still alive! I’m expecting smaller/less buds than I should get and that’s fine! It’s my first time. I'll be happy if I get anything out of this learning experience. According to folks on this site, this plant has been flowering since mid-December or so - about 45 days. What is a normal time for flower phase? So, I’m gathering that lots of folks use a microscope or lens to determine when the bud is ready. Which specific lens/microscope to buy (Amazon link?)? And what are you looking for? What other techniques to determine when to cut?
2. Can I cut a few buds at a time, so I learn the process? The idea of chopping the whole plant at once and hanging upside down scares me, but if you guys tell me that's the way to go, I'll do it.
3. Dumb question. I’m used to going to a dispensary and buying “flower”. To me, they look like buds with no leaves. But as I gaze at pictures of my own plants and yours, it seems like leaves are embedded in the buds. Should I harvest/smoke these? What about the other leaves? They seem to have stuff (trichomes?) on them. See some of my pictures below. Smokeable? Or is there an EASY recipe for hash? Do something else?

Thanks!
P.S. This plant has been indoors exclusively since mid-December. That was the advice I got here. Don't let the pictures fool you. I brought it outside simply to get some pictures. I also bring it outside to fertilize/water (foxfarms fertilizer). I hope that's okay!

 

[Gmix]

arggg I can’t believe I accidentally deleted what I wrote 👎 try again
You will know by the change in trichomes color

It’s very much a growers preferred high some like less amber some like more the usual guff is when there milky with 10 being amber.

Both these scopes are available on Amazon I use the cheep one atm alought I am going to upgrade to one I can see on my phone only because I’m getting old & my hands get a bit shaky.
Otherwise there fine.

Harvest just before the lights come on as that’s when the plants is at its max Terpene & cannabinoids Levels.

If you want you can do two harvests taking the top lot off & leaving the bottom to ripen up.

Trim the sugar leaves & throw away the fan leaves as they don’t contain enough thc to do anything with.

Making it into hash well you can use bubble bags,turn it into oil or make kief
You can even make canna butter or various edibles out of trim

Hope i covered it all as my arthritis took a bashing having to write it all again alou feel free to ask others will help you as well

Good luck 😋

Btw next time tie it down to get a more bushy plant

 

[Anthem]

I don’t think my plant is ready for harvesting yet, but I want to be ready. I’ve gone to the “Learn” section of this site but not finding what I need (I even looked at it when not stoned :)). In general, I want to be ready to harvest and know what to do (and not do).

1. How do I know when my plant is ready for harvest? I suspect answers based on time or size of bud might not be 100% helpful in my case. If you read my earlier posts, I made a lot of rookie mistakes. This plant started inside, almost died, went outside, and is now back inside. It’s amazing it’s still alive! I’m expecting smaller/less buds than I should get and that’s fine! It’s my first time. I'll be happy if I get anything out of this learning experience. According to folks on this site, this plant has been flowering since mid-December or so - about 45 days. What is a normal time for flower phase? So, I’m gathering that lots of folks use a microscope or lens to determine when the bud is ready. Which specific lens/microscope to buy (Amazon link?)? And what are you looking for? What other techniques to determine when to cut?
2. Can I cut a few buds at a time, so I learn the process? The idea of chopping the whole plant at once and hanging upside down scares me, but if you guys tell me that's the way to go, I'll do it.
3. Dumb question. I’m used to going to a dispensary and buying “flower”. To me, they look like buds with no leaves. But as I gaze at pictures of my own plants and yours, it seems like leaves are embedded in the buds. Should I harvest/smoke these? What about the other leaves? They seem to have stuff (trichomes?) on them. See some of my pictures below. Smokeable? Or is there an EASY recipe for hash? Do something else?

did u know u have an aphid infestation. first two pictures. If you are in a tent and want an organic method of eliminating them try lady bugs

 

[Gmix]

Well spotted bud yeah ladybirds fav diet is aphids 👍.
Edit Looking again dunno how I missed it maybe it’s coz of my small iPod

 

[bibsoconner]

did u know u have an aphid infestation. first two pictures. If you are in a tent and want an organic method of eliminating them try lady bugs

Thanks @Anthem . No, I didn't know I had aphids. I still can't see them. But I've learned to trust what people say to me on this site!
@Gmix Stop saying you're getting old! You're making me feel old!
You could at least see the aphids when pointed out. I'm still not seeing them!
Seriously, I thought that was all trichomes (or whatever you call the stuff on the leaves and buds). Anyhow, I'll look at them again in person when next it's their light cycle. It's about 2 p.m. now and their "bedtime" is from noon to midnight.
Is it okay to use ladybugs indoors? Remember that despite the fact I took the pictures outside, this plant is indoors! Any tips for deploying ladybugs? Like at darktime and add water?Will the ladybugs start eating the plant once they've devoured all the aphids. Again, this is indoors so the poor ladybugs won't be able to fly away to another plant.
I'm also not opposed to chemical solutions. Yeah, I get it. I'm smoking the stuff. But if not harvesting for a while, I'm willing to take the risk. I mean, I use fertilizer (FoxFarm). You could argue that's not 100% natural too. I do know to stop using fertilizer 1 week before harvesting btw.
Thanks guys!

 

[Gmix]

lol ok bud i will try 😋
No they wont eat the plants.
I haven’t had to use them however the instructions should be say or someone will.
You don’t want them to fly away so indoor is perfect.

Aphids come in various colors depending on what they eat & there stage of life.

You really want to get rid of them asap as they will ruin your crop & there droppings are not good to smoke so you may wish to wash the buds before smoking them.

Look at the underneath of the leafs they hide there.

 

[Observationist]

When Is The Right Time To Harvest Cannabis Plants? Advice From Frenchy Cannoli

Frenchy Cannoli explains why trichomes are not part of the main metabolism of the plant and as such cannot define the peak of the flowering cycle.Taken from ...

www.youtube.com

 

[bibsoconner]

lol ok bud i will try 😋
No they wont eat the plants.
I haven’t had to use them however the instructions should be say or someone will.
You don’t want them to fly away so indoor is perfect.

Aphids come in various colors depending on what they eat & there stage of life.

You really want to get rid of them asap as they will ruin your crop & there droppings are not good to smoke so you may wish to wash the buds before smoking them.

Look at the underneath of the leafs they hide there.

Now I see them! I was about to reply with, "Yeah, but where are the aphids on my pictures?" and then I realized, "Wait, that is my picture he's showing me!". Thanks for blowing up the picture and explaining it to me.
Back on the original topic, I suspect I'm a long way from harvesting (I need to order the magnifying glass!) so hopefully I have time to treat them and there will be no residual droppings!

 

[mysticepipedon]

Thanks @Anthem . No, I didn't know I had aphids. I still can't see them.

Look at the center of the first pic, just behind the bud on a small leaf. You have at least 5 posing for a selfie there.