Weight gain before harvest

[PuravidaC]

I know tutorial says that buds will swell and gain weight the last two weeks before harvest but with some liking an early harvest and others preferring a later harvest, what is considered the last two weeks? Will buds add more weight after trichomes first start turning amber? Because of scheduled trip out of town I'm in a quagmire! I'm just now starting to see a few amber trichomes and can't decide if I should harvest Memorial Day, which would give me time to dry and start cure for a week before leaving or try to wait another week and a half to harvest so they can dry while out of town for 4 days. I have dialed in grow area for peffect drying conditions before so I feel fairly comfortable leaving them unattended for 4 days drying but must decide which direction to go this weekend. If I wait until later in the week that will have early cure unattended for 4 days which makes me VERY uncomfortable! So again, will buds swell noticeable after first few trichomes turn amber? I do prefer more of a head high.

 

[bobsakamoto]

I know tutorial says that buds will swell and gain weight the last two weeks before harvest but with some liking an early harvest and others preferring a later harvest, what is considered the last two weeks? Will buds add more weight after trichomes first start turning amber? So again, will buds swell noticeable after first few trichomes turn amber? I do prefer more of a head high.

PuravidaC, thanks for asking this--i have been wondering the same thing! anxious to see what others say, as i prefer more of a head high too.

 

[Flockshot]

I go by the amount of amber on my buds. I like at least 10% amber, so however long it takes me to get to that level. Then on the next grow I can predict 2 weeks till harvest.

If it is a new strain I add at least one week to the seed companies estimate (perhaps 2 weeks). This makes timing the final flush a little tricky, but that is just how we learn to grow better as time goes on.

I don't think that the seed companies are being dishonest about the time and yield of their seeds, but remember these numbers are the 'fastest' it may happen, and the 'most weight' you can get under perfect conditions. I do not have perfect conditions so I must gather information over time.

 

[DW2]

Howdy PuravidaC, Great question. How does One know when You're near the end of a 'journey', when You do not know how long it is going to be in the first place? (LOL one of life's mysteries, I guess). I just look at the trichomes and harvest for the type of effect that I want (DAMN the bud weight! Full chop ahead! LOL).

 

[PuravidaC]

I'm with you! My last three grows have been AK-48, so called because breeder says under "optimal" conditions it will take 48 days in flower. I have less than optimal conditions and my first grow took 11 weeks in flower. Second grow took 6 weeks but I screwed up late in flower and I think stress made her turn amber early. I have an out of town trip in a week and a half so that is causing my anxiety! If I wasn't going away I would wait for 10% amber, whenever that may be but unfortunately it appears that will be close to when I'm leaving...

 

[PuravidaC]

Totally agree DW2 but I have a trip planned in 11 days and my girl looks like she will be ready about the same time!

 

[DW2]

Maybe You could harvest them, before You go on the trip, and let them dry up until the day before You plant to leave. If they have not dried enough, wrap the buds in some freezer paper and put them in the freezer until You get back and have the time to "do the things that You do" to them. If they have a lot of moisture in them the freezer will 'extract' a lot of it which would require 're-drying' before placing into jars. The main thing is, the freezing would prevent mold formation. If they are dry enough, placing them in the refrigerator (wrapped up or in a container) to keep them until You return.
The main thing is ..... Have a safe trip!