I’ve been looking through a jewelers loop since last week but I can’t tell if the trichomes are empty or milky. The picture is a NL Auto sprouted on the 25th of August. I see more scattered amber trichomes since last week but not a large amount of amber. These girls are going into week 10 from seed which I know is still early but I don’t want to chop too late but still want a body high
You need to take photos with white/natural light. Will make seeing any amber etc easier. Also of the bud not sugar leaves.
The trichomes on the leaves will mature faster than the trichomes on the buds. When youre checking them for harvesting always look on the bud and not just one. A few buds may need a day or two longer than others so its always good to check them all. Good luck!
How long have the plants been flowering Growmie. I guestimate 10 weeks for all my plants and start checking the trichomes at week 8, another sign they’re nearing the finish line is their water/nutrient consumption will slow down considerably 
@Serf Thank you for this advice, I can hardly see through the jewelers loop with the little light thats attached to it. I’ll also start looking at buds not leaves.
@FrostyOGgro I appreciate this advice alot. Was wondering why I see more amber in other areas. Would you suggest harvesting a few nugs to test out or is it still to early for that?
@OGIncognito Thank you for letting me know about the 10 week mark growmie. This week will be the 6th week of flowering, 10th week from seed. I’m gonna keep checking trichomes after I order a different microscope. Do you think she’ll be ready to harvest by this Sunday at 70 days from seed?
@ChittyChittyBangin wow you can see the trichomes so clear with that! Thank you for this advice 
I’m ordering one now because this jewelers loop is difficult to see through.
I have a loop as well and its quite tough to see and such a small visable area. I do have a digital microscope and my macro lenses as well. The micro i got has a 2" screen on it which ill prob use for first inspection then get a good macro shot for an overall per bud.
That’s 10 weeks from breaking ground Growmie, estimate flowering time of 10 weeks but checking the trichomes is the best method for peak harvest
All of mine take about 10 weeks from 1st sign of pistils. I bet you have a few weeks to go. Picture of the whole plant would help too.
Thanks for this recommendation I may get that microscope as well I like that it has a screen on it I didnt even know they made those. Wow I swear no matter how many plants you’re growing, there’s so much information its like putting yourself through a mini oaksterdam university course lol I love it.
Oh I see, thanks for clarifying that up for me 
. So they’re still in week 6 of flower overall which would mean these have at least 2-3 weeks left before harvest. Definitely ordering a new telescope today.
Thank you for letting me know about the 10 week mark after pistils appear. I believe these started showing pistils week 3 or 4 so by the numbers you’re correct about 2-3 more weeks I want to chop when they have alor of amber to get a good body stone 
Never be in a hurry to harvest. The trichomes on the sugar leaves can show amber weeks before the plant is actually ready. At 6 weeks I wouldn’t even be checking trichomes yet. Other than for entertainment purposes or to learn how to take better pictures with my microscope. You want nearly all the white hairs to turn brown and recede back into the calyx’s then start checking trichomes. You want to focus deep into the bud not the sugar leaves on the outside.
@plumbdand thank you for putting my mind at ease with this amazing advice 
I’ve been stressing that maybe they were in the harvest window and I was missing it. I think I’m just getting excited/anxious about harvesting my first round of plants. Great idea to start practicing how to use the microscope so I’ll be comfortable using it when its time to check trichomes.
You’re a long way from overshooting the harvest window. Relax and enjoy watching those buds fatten up. Once your in the harvest window youll still have weeks to make the decision of when to chop. It doesn’t come and go suddenly. If you harvest too early it can make you jittery and anxious. Post some pictures of the whole plant and some bud pictures from a few feet away.
I appreciate the advice, I will sit back relax and enjoy the show the next few weeks. I ended up ordering this microscope on amazon to check trichomes. I will upload pics of the whole plants now as well.
Here are pics of my pride and joy. The first pic is of my frosty NL auto in week 6 of flower. The second is the chembomb auto also in week 6 of flower. The shorter girl in the gray pot is solomatic cbd auto in week 5 of flower and last but not least the lanky one is the stress killer 1:1 auto also in week 5 of flower. Getting a new microscope in the morning so excited to check trichomes. Thank you everyone for your helpful advice. This site has been amazing.
