Some have shown that amber does indicate degradation but I don't see it that way. The amber seems to indicate CBN levels are increasing. It helps add sedation generally speaking and I let my flowers go a little long because I need sleep. Also if you harvest early (little or no CBN) it can be quite a bit more psychoactive and some people feel paranoid from that. I suppose it is personal preference to harvest with no amber or some amber or even lots of amber. All depends on the effect you are seeking and if you are using it for medical benefit it can be quite important. In the end I believe the effects of the various strains and how long you ripen are very complex because of the interactions of the various terpenes and CBN, CBD and THC etc.

Different cannibinoids have different boiling points and different amounts in various trichome sizes. I think this is why certain kief shaken out with different mesh sizes have profoundly different effects and vaping flower or keif at differing temperatures can give really different effects. There is a lot to learn, I think we are just beginning to understand this plant.

Dee

I try to aim for 80milky/20 amber if possible . I like the slightly early(IMO) harvest. as I don't think amber trichs are a sign of degradation per say but a sign the the buds are ripe and may start to degrade soon. We as horticulturist try our best to understand the plant through trail and error . That being said as the prohibition eases off more scientific test will be run. I only fear big pharma mutalating our prized plant . Also the trichs do get slightly more amber after a months cure . If everything's dried, cured, and handled right then the trichs should stay close to the same for up To a year I would assume but my bud never last that long lmao !!

I think a 4 month cure is the best. Kief and flower will decarb naturally in 4 months. I know it is a long time to wait but the plant material is still converting during that time. I started to wait that 4 month period because I noticed the taste and effect are fullest after 4 months.

Dee

I've seen articles that say if properly stored flowers can stay potent for up to 3 years but ye I like mine after atleast a good month cure but 3-4 months is the best .

I chop first sign of amber... That that point theyre on their last leg and you still have to hang dry it.

GT21 said:

I chop first sign of amber... That that point theyre on their last leg and you still have to hang dry it.

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GT21,

Do you think you still get a fair amount of amber and CBN after you hang and they have dried/cured a while? I am curious because I find some CBN to be quite helpful.

Thanks,

Dee

DGP said:

GT21,

Do you think you still get a fair amount of amber and CBN after you hang and they have dried/cured a while? I am curious because I find some CBN to be quite helpful.

Thanks,

Dee

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Yes it keeps going and some plants amber faster than others. Its trichome oxidation and it does not ever go backwards hahaha once its amber...its over.

Fair amount.. I would say under 10% always

With my personel i always do boutique cuttings as plants never ripen all at same stage.
I cut when around 10-15% are amber.

Thanks all some great feedback. I agree @DGP we have a lot to learn. I have been growing for 18+ yrs and everyday is a learning exp. I always focused on THC crystals when i started. Knowing that red hairs where a real thumb suck and days indicated are a ball park. The last 9 months has gifted me with invaluable knowledge on the indoor environment and cannabis botany. Being an outdoor specialist I struggled on the indoors. Having done a few indoor over the yrs I could never produce what I did out. And i have to say my outdoor was organic,strong and cured beautifully!! So I have focused now on indoor environs for the last 10 months really trying to assimilate the natural elements and let them mix as naturally as possible so the girls dont feel anything other than perfection!!

For any serious hort it's invaluable science gained that can be taken across the board through any part of the plant world. Cannabis shows you results quicker than most other plants. Intuitively growing plants is a great way to spend time with yre girls studying them. I found growing indoors really gives you a clear understanding on the all round science as results are quicker and easier to experiment.

Loads of growers I hear ,and having seen,pay little or no attention to understanding or studying the technicalities of organic growing, floral production, thc maturation or the importance of drying correctly (cold dry) or curing properly in decent glass jars in the dark!!

I also agree on curing for longer , like wine! The best smoke I ever had was a mid summer light deprived white Russian which cured for 3-4 months and holy smoke, literally, peeps still talk about it. It smelt next level like a sweet baby poo , it was so strong and smooth

Thanks all for the feedback

Depends what your medicating for to how far you take it theres 4 stages at which you can harvest just depends on your needs

Amber? We call it brown where I'm from. Some like cbn fuzzy. Some like heroin too. Not me. Best smoke imo is always clear bulbs that turn milky during cure. Red tan or brown is like finding grandpa's prohibition holdout stash from 37. Enjoy your 10 minutes of high and night of groggy.

RippedTorn said:

Amber? We call it brown where I'm from. Some like cbn fuzzy. Some like heroin too. Not me. Best smoke imo is always clear bulbs that turn milky during cure. Red tan or brown is like finding grandpa's prohibition holdout stash from 37. Enjoy your 10 minutes of high and night of groggy.

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That's all cool during the day but if you have a sleep disorder brown (amber) and CBN are your friend.