Picking the peak time frame for harvest

[Farmall]

.To add to all of the confusion I have read in so many books, I am reading a book on ‘harvest’ by Ed Rosenthal ( a well respected and knowledgeable source ) who writes, when the trichomes are turning milky...pick the buds : as waiting after this time while looking for amber coloration, thc is degrading to cbn and becoming less potent So how do we defend the wide-spread amber coloration opinions ...or are his thoughts more widely accepted than what we see all over and has any done this with any comparative notes?

[Canuck147]

Hope you're checking the copyright dates. Could be an old book.

[Farmall]

Seems like about 15 months ago

[DrPhoton]

I did a bit of research on the biochemistry of cannabinoid production. The best books for this is marijuana botany by R.C Clarke.

There has been some great research that accurately details the chemical transitions during cannabinoid synthesis. The process from clear to cloudy and cloudy to amber is not quite as clear cut as its typically thought. When the resin glands that develop on the flowers of cannabis are clear, this indicates active cannabinoid biosynthesis. When the color starts to become opaque, cannabinoid synthesis is slowing and has passed its peak levels of THC. Which is kind of interesting because many attempt to harvest at peak THC, but harvesting when clear is thought to be quite early for many. Which suggests quite strongly that High THC numbers is not the defining factor in a superior euphoric response. And that other cannabinoids such as CBD and CBN likely play a major part in this.

When color starts to shift amber, this is not a direct result of the degradation of THC to CBN. But research has shown that the timing of this shift indicates very accurately the degradation process. Which is caused by the oxidative process of THC to CBN. However what makes things much more complex in the interpretation of the resin glands is that even when they start to turn amber, this does not mean that cannabinoid biosynthesis is still not developing further, and can be that more time can allow extensive increases in cannabinoid levels, even though THC is degrading to CBN. For example. Amber bulbs that are still transluscent and clear, can be still undergoing cannabinoid biosynthesis faster than THC is being degraded to CBN. However amber bulbs that are opaque are likely degrading and would be wise to harvest at this point.

As far as CBD levels, this is determined mostly by genetics and is hardely influenced by much. However you can use the above information to determine how to obtain a different THC to CBD ratio. As when trichomes start to become opaque, it is generally THC which slows rather than CBD. So letting them develop longer past this peak THC point, will allow CBD to continue biosynthesis and potentially be higher. Though this is very minimal increases and it largely influences the THC to CBD ratio as the degradation of THC shifts faster than the synthesis of CBD.

This is on the list of mine to complete a article which details this process for readers to be able to use to interpret their products more accurately and determine what they actually are after as far as the end result of the product.

[Farmall]

In the analysis of the pages containing these bits of information, I assumed that a transition period of some kind is underway and is not as easily explained as in something like the “flip of a switch’. Such transitions are not over\night and obviously require some experimentation for which I do not have the capabilities to undergo...so, I’ll harvest over 3 weeks and keep good info

thank you dr. Photon

[Weed Pharma]

For example. Amber bulbs that are still transluscent and clear, can be still undergoing cannabinoid biosynthesis faster than THC is being degraded to CBN. However amber bulbs that are opaque are likely degrading and would be wise to harvest at this point.

These two lines changed the way I approach harvest- with increased in product potency and yields ever since!

Simply put for soil grows:

Begin water only at the first sign of amber (translucent)- harvest window opens
Harvest at the first dark amber trichomes at the very latest- harvest window closes

That said:
I don't look for CBN by letting ambers get to 20-30%

ps- I'm considering documenting a grow by visual ques from the plant and not the "schedule"-
Why? Plants can't read, lol

[Farmall]

....Can you explain what you mean by not letting ambers get to 20-30 %. Are you referring to total coverage on the bud?

[Weed Pharma]

Yes, If you grow for the narcotic effect you can delay the harvest until more trichomes on the bud turn amber-