is it ready for harvest?

[bent0001]

hello,
i would be happy to have any advice and suggestion..that is my 1st grow.

-advance seeds auto skunk 47-

600W hps
coco-perlite
4X4X6.5 tent
GH trio (im using the schedule Nebula suggested)
Sensi Cal-Mag Xtra


i am not sure if i passed the harvest time or should i wait a little longer.. i am looking for a maximum thc high.
the problem is that my plant had a bad start, my ph meter was not working well and it took me some time to fix it. i am not sure but i think this is why it is so short >25 cm!
i might have had the light little too close for some time..i keep 45-50 cm from the bulb right now.
and it grow pretty bushy, seems like the top buds may block the light from getting to the lower buds even that they are not that far down.

- the TOP BUDS turned purple and all the pistils on the turned dark yet when i look in the magnifying glass it seems that there are: few clear trichoms, more milky, and very few ember.
when i look at the buds that are below the top i almost can't find ember, some milky and some clear...

- i added pics.. unfortunately it really hard to take good pic of trichoms..

i appreciate your help...
What do u think???

[Canuck147]

Looks real good. I'd say it's ready. Maximum thc is when Trichomes start turning Amber in color. More amber and CBD goes up and thc slowly goes down.
Next time do a bit of defoliating and get the light to those hidden buds and your yield will increase.

[bent0001]

thanks!
and good advice on the defoliating..since it is auto and i am in my first grow i was defoliating would harm her...
->what is the best time for defoliating ?

[Canuck147]

Defoliate when the plant needs it, hidden bud sites should be cleared. Either by trimming or just bending a leaf out of the way.
Some plants it seems the more you cut the faster back they grow.

[UrbZ]

You are ready to harvest my friend. Dark curled in hairs and all milky trichomes will give you great head buzz.

[bent0001]

Thank you!
the "Dark curled in hairs" affect the high?

[UrbZ]

No not really its just basically a sign of the plants maturity.

You'll always want to wait to harvest until they are curled in though.

[Flockshot]

Every time I see this question, I automatically think 'wait a week' and then look at the pictures.

[D.A.A.S.69]

Hey Bent001, great pictures, an good job on your grow, I can't see any amber, but they are mighty close.
PS- what did you use to take those pictures?

[bent0001]

Thanks D.A.A.S.69!
there are a few amber...just few. the problem is that there are also few clear ones, and more milky.. all kind of tricoms together
i used a pocket canon cam and loupe magnification glass.

[D.A.A.S.69]

Yeah Bent, try to wait if you can for the clear to turn.