First time grower: Is my plant ready to be harvest?

[Cooless420]

Hi there, first time grower here. I need some help about the timing for harvest.

My plant seems like it's ready to be harvest base on the Trichome. It seems to me that this is half white, half clear. My goal is to get the highest level THC possible. According to the article I found in this platform, that means I'm looking for milky white trichome.

However, if I check the hair, it seems to me there's still too much white hair sticking out.

I will be out for a week for my business trip. My friends will help watering the plants when I'm gone.
In case it's relevant, the strain I'm growing is called "Thai Bubble Gum", which somehow I can't find any info online. I got this seed from the weed I got from my local dealer.

My question is:
1. Will the buds get any bigger at this stage?
2. Should I wait for another week to harvest? Or should I harvest this week?
3. If I should wait for another week, should I flush or should I keep giving nutrients?

The main concern is I'm afraid the trichome will turn amber when I'm back. Plus I don't want to give up potential yields.

Since this is the first time I grow cannabis to this stage(failed a few time). I want to know more before I move.

Thank you all for helping.

 

[golfnrl]

Hello @Cooless420 Welcome aboard. Congratulations on your grow. Almost to the finish line.

1. At this stage your buds most likely won't get bigger but they can become more dense.
2. Timing is everything. Do you see any amber trichomes at all? If not, waiting a week will most likely be OK.
3. You can split the difference if you're concerned about waiting. Keep your plants on feed for 3-4 days then straight PH'd water until your return, then harvest. You'd be fine.

The max potency is reached with milky white trichomes and some amber (5-10%)

BTW, check the trichomes on the calyxes (the buds themselves) not the sugar leaves.

 

[Cooless420]

Hi @golfnrl , thank you so much for the advices.

Two questions:
1.When you say "it can become more dense", if I understand this correctly, it means the buds will have the same size but bigger weight?
(English isn't my first language, I'm still learning)
2. I'm having hard time recognizing the difference between the Calyxes and sugar leave.
In this picture, it should be the top part right? Should I check all the top buds to see if there's any amber? I did find some on the sugar leaves, but the guide line says it's normal. The sugar leaves will start showing amber trichomes 2-3 weeks before the Calyxes, right?

Again, thank you for helping.

 

[Smallgrow]

1. Basically yes that’s it
2. Yes check the trics on the part that dosent look like a tiny leaf.
The buds will mature at a different speed as you go down the plant. It get less light down below so it matures slower. You have to make a decision based on that trade off. Mature top buds probably means the lowers are less so. I would check a few buds that are closest to the light and go by that. It is also possible to do a staged harvest leaving the lower buds on the plant for a few days longer if you wish. Most of us don’t bother personally I don’t and don’t notice a difference once it’s all dried and cured

 

[golfnrl]

Hi @golfnrl , thank you so much for the advices.

Two questions:
1.When you say "it can become more dense", if I understand this correctly, it means the buds will have the same size but bigger weight?
(English isn't my first language, I'm still learning)
2. I'm having hard time recognizing the difference between the Calyxes and sugar leave.
In this picture, it should be the top part right? Should I check all the top buds to see if there's any amber? I did find some on the sugar leaves, but the guide line says it's normal. The sugar leaves will start showing amber trichomes 2-3 weeks before the Calyxes, right?

Again, thank you for helping.

1. Yes, that is correct. No worries on the language. If I/we say something you don't understand please ask for clarification.
2. The calyxes are what makes up the cola. They are the bulk of the flower. The sugar leaves are growing out of the cola. If you inspect most any other part of the cola you're looking at the calyxes. Inspect the top colas and also some in the middle and lower part of the plant. That will give you a better idea of the overall readiness of your plant to harvest. Yes, you're correct on the timing of the trichomes on sugar leaves.

 

[Cooless420]

Thank you all very much for the advices. I know what to do now.
Will keep giving nutrients but lower the amount, then flush it two time. When I'm back it will be harvest time!

 

[Chipmunk]

Hello all. In my opinion, too many pictures of trichomes get posted for inspection that have a significant glare or reflection of light off the trichome heads that it makes it very hard for me to evaluate them, they act like tiny mirrors! But my eyes are old and the picts might be just fine for you guys to evaluate. For me, I can see my own plant trichomes better by angling the light or diffusing the light or just turning down the intensity. We would get better pics that way to evaluate I think

 

[Allotrope1000]

Hi, Cooless.
I wish my Spanish and French were as good as your English.
The forum members have provided great "when to harvest" info. I would only inquire what kind of magnifier are you using. Some use a jewelers loupe, others a USB microscope. (Details on GWE site) They can help identify the cloudy and amber trichomes. Another indicator is curled in, brown stigmas (pistils). Your last picture shows some, but with a bunch of white ones. I'd say you are a week to 10 days from the beginning of the harvest window, but the strain will determine that.

 

[Cooless420]

Hello all. In my opinion, too many pictures of trichomes get posted for inspection that have a significant glare or reflection of light off the trichome heads that it makes it very hard for me to evaluate them, they act like tiny mirrors! But my eyes are old and the picts might be just fine for you guys to evaluate. For me, I can see my own plant trichomes better by angling the light or diffusing the light or just turning down the intensity. We would get better pics that way to evaluate I think

Hi there,
It's not just for you, I think the same. That's why I put on multiple pictures.
It's my first grow and the first time using USB microscope. It's really hard to be steady with 50x+ zoom in, but I also don't want to rip the buds out of the plant. Any suggestions for a clearer picture?

 

[Cooless420]

Hi, Cooless.
I wish my Spanish and French were as good as your English.
The forum members have provided great "when to harvest" info. I would only inquire what kind of magnifier are you using. Some use a jewelers loupe, others a USB microscope. (Details on GWE site) They can help identify the cloudy and amber trichomes. Another indicator is curled in, brown stigmas (pistils). Your last picture shows some, but with a bunch of white ones. I'd say you are a week to 10 days from the beginning of the harvest window, but the strain will determine that.

Hello Allotrope,
Thanks for your advice.
I'm using USB microscope and using my phone as an monitor. It goes from 50x-1600x.
The strain is called "Thai Bubble gum", I think it's a variation of the classic Bubble Gum. However, I can't find any info online about this strain. Maybe my dealer lied, maybe it's just a new strain. (It tastes really good though)

So I just realized I put the picture of Oct 23 on the original post. This is the picture from yesterday. As you can see, some top buds started to curled, some still have a few white hairs. That's why I think maybe I can start flushing next week. Then when I come back it will be harvest time.

 

[Chipmunk]

Hi there,
It's not just for you, I think the same. That's why I put on multiple pictures.
It's my first grow and the first time using USB microscope. It's really hard to be steady with 50x+ zoom in, but I also don't want to rip the buds out of the plant. Any suggestions for a clearer picture?

I would be terrible at taking trichome pictures. I'm not even good at taking a nice picture of my plants like you did. Good looking plant. You're on top of it!

 

[Allotrope1000]

My expertise is in an outdoor greenhouse. IMO, you will be in the harvest window when returning from your trip. Try using a small tripod or just laying the microscope on the plant to reduce jitters and shakes.
As a former photographer (50 years ago for my university news service) that might help with blurriness.
Let us know when you get back.

 

[Cooless420]

My expertise is in an outdoor greenhouse. IMO, you will be in the harvest window when returning from your trip. Try using a small tripod or just laying the microscope on the plant to reduce jitters and shakes.
As a former photographer (50 years ago for my university news service) that might help with blurriness.
Let us know when you get back.

Thanks for the advice. I tried that, it worked a little better than before. But I still don't see full Milky white trichome.
I agree with you, I should probably flush this in the next week then harvest when I get back. It's also easier for my friend to take care the palnt.
Will post an update for the OGs to review (⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)