Hi all, I have a runtz auto that sprouted 11/8 in ocean forest mixed with some worm castings. The results below are after 11 weeks. It’s supposed to take 14 weeks, but I know it might take longer or a bit less, not sure yet which is why I am including some pictures for some perspective. I like this plant. For me, this has been a strong grow. Can’t believe how much better ilgm seeds grow…unbelievable genetics. If you’ve grown this strain before, does the high get really heavy if you let the trichomes get a bit amber?
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You have a few weeks to go yet. Begin looking at the trichomes after all of the white pistols have browned and receded.
Autos harvest time can vary widely depending upon when the plant starts to flower. Most plants will be ready for harvest after 8 to 10 weeks in the flowering stage. Time from seed isn’t really relevant.
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Thanks for the reply. I understand that it can vary widely. If following ilgm’s info it should be done by Feb. 14th or so, but I know that’s only a guide.
Thanks especially for the note on pistils. I’ve used ilgm’s blog info., but I adjusted a bit for my last grow of tropicana cookies auto from fast buds. The trichomes took forever to get to where a few were amber: I’m very patient. I made a few minor errors, but I was thinking I made a huge error by letting the pistils get over 90% dark which ilgm deems “almost too late to harvest.”
Appreciate your help!
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Get a wireless microscope and then you can really pin down harvest time.
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I just chopped one that was in week 12 of flower that didn’t have much amber, another is in week 10 with plenty of white pistils still so I’m guessing it will go at least 12 also. Not sure what part the environment plays in the timing of it all but that was in fox farm soil at temps in the 60-70s. Can’t speak to the amber question, haven’t found the patience to get there.
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pretty sure enviroment is important…lol…amber trichomes lead to a more sedative/narco type high…too heavy…so just wondering what a later harvest of runtz is like, hence more amber trichomes
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Hopefully you let them get to maturity…I know some folks have gotten bad advice and conflate maturity/dark pistils and amber trichomes; fwiw:
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Nice grow let the babies fatten up for a bit longer. I’ve wanted to grow the runtz strain.
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My curiosity is whether treating your plant like hell affects the time it will stay in flower without killing it. There is an abundance of information on quality and quantity effects but a quick search and review found nothing on stretching or shrinking the time frame from start of flower to harvest.
For example, I don’t have ideal conditions for growing but control the light and, seasonally, can stay near the ballpark on other parameters. My weak link is humidity. If I had this perfect lung room, would the flower to harvest period change from the 12 weeks I’m experiencing?
Thanks for this. I actually have two Runtz Autoflowers growing now in about week 7 of flower. Buds are swelling nicely, still not as fragrant as would suggest maturity. Trichomes still clear to cloudy. Thinking they need at least another week. 
Sorry that should clarify that I am a relatively new grower, and these are outdoor plants. They look really good so far. Hoping to post some pics and get harvesting/drying advice in the next couple of weeks. I think I have my drying situation figured out but I spent many hours in the rabbit hole trying to figure that out. 
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Here are pics of my girls entering week 8 of flower. Trichomes still clear to cloudy so I’m letting them go for another couple of weeks.
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Agree.
PNW sunshine measured 115KLUX at 5 pm today.
Plants love it.
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