hello fellow growers !! I am new to this site and hope to share some helpful advice to those just starting out. I have been growing outdoors in the ground in the south for 16 years. I have dealt with every possible issue you can imagine and have learned much on this journey. I see a lot of questions on when to harvest. The best thing you can do is purchase a cheap ( $12) USB microscope. Nowadays you can use your phone however I still plug mine into a desktop PC. Trichomes are everything !!! That is the THC and you need to be able to look at them. At any point once the buds start to form pull a tiny bud and start playing with your scope. It won’t take you long to zoom in and see what your eyes or a jeweler loop cannot. Trichomes have 3 main stages. Clear, cloudy, amber.All clear not ready to harvest. once you start seeing cloudy get ready. How potent you want your weed is all determined at this point. Any amount of cloudy will provide good bud but the more the merrier. Those little bubbles , or mushroom looking things are your prize! I start harvesting when 90% cloudy. Cloudy represents a creative, energetic head. As you start to see amber your buds are becoming more potent. All amber means couch potatoe head. Anyway… the days of using month, or weather ( aka: early frost) to figure out the best time to harvest is long gone. Get a cheap microscope and master the trichome check. The scope also comes in handy to check for microscopic insects and even sexing plants early. Good luck and have fun!
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Cloudy corresponds with max THC content. Amber is a result of THC converting into CBN. CBN is the “sleepy” cannabinoid that gives the couch lock effect.
This is a good video that outlines when to harvest for max potency.
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I love all the pictures!! Exactly what I see and look for under a microscope. If there is anything worth buying… it is no doubt a cheap USB microscope
https://www.amazon.com/KEEMIKA-Microscope-50x-1600x-Magnification-Compatible
