I would flush for a week or two then pick em. 11 weeks is long for sour diesel to flower according to internet. It’s best to watch the crystal heads under a microscope 30* or better. Once they turn about 15-20% Amber they are ready. Harvest earlier than that for upper high. Harvest later for more couch lock effects. Maybe harvest in intervals keep notes for next round through on which is best time to harvest then plan on that for next cycle
They still have a few white pistils, is that normal? I’ve ordered a loupe. They are still abit soft on top tho, is that normal? Thanks for all your help
11 weeks is about right for a fully grown plant. Seed merchants want to promise a fast grow, but the best quality and weight comes from letting the plant fully finish. The difference between a "correctly" harvested bud and a "Couch Lock" bud, based on harvest time, is like the difference between 99 cents and a dollar... it is minute and I truthfully don't think anyone can tell the difference without a chemical analysis. Most of the couch lock and other Urban legends are actually based on genetics (THCA/CBN/CBD ratios inherent in the strain), with an extra week of finishing not making too much of a difference. Finishing early on the other hand, makes for smaller and less dense buds with less resin, as most strains really seem to stack up when allowed to go as far as they can. Flushing is optional and is a matter of personal preference.
Sativa's are a little different, as the buds continue to grow during flowering, unlike others that develop the hard round nuggets. Sativa is more elongated, not nearly as dense, and usually has a lot less "Couch Lock" effects, although the intense effects of some strains of it can be paranoia inducing. To me, Sativa's are a lot more like trees, as they usually get some color changes in the surrounding leaves (more during cold weather and with some strains, not all). I usually start to se the buds growing a little pointy, I often see one or two lobed leaves growing twisted out of the bud's tip, and I have even seen a little round stem-ish horn growing out the end...a definite sign. I often lose ALL of the leaves, or the majority of hem, as the plant finishes. The buds get a cool, greasy feeling and you may or may not see the trichome turnover. It's not an exact science by far, but thankfully, missing the peak by a few days won't change anything noticeable.
Keep in mind that not all Sativa strains act the same. Some only get a few leaves and are very lanky/gangly, while others get a ton of leaves. Most of the stuff that I told you is based on my experience, so it might not always match up to book recommendations. Not all Sativa will lose all of their leaves. If you are feeding them a lot, the yellowing might not be as noticeable. After the 6th week of flowering, I either go with lower doses of a regular blooming fertilizer (not the super bloom type stuff, just regular Loews or Home Depot brand fertilizer for flowers. Depending on how everything looks, I either keep them on reduced rations or withhold feeding altogether. I prefer to see some yellowing as it lets me know that I'm not over feeding the plant and slowly use up the remaining nutes that it has stashed away in it's leaves and roots.
