Harvest

Most breeders give an estimated flowering time for their plants (typically 60-65 days). This is just an estimate and should be used as a general approximation

Plants are ready to harvest:

• When 5-10% of the trichomes turn amber (preferred method)
• When the plant stops growing new white pistils and the majority of the pistils start to turn brown (not very reliable)
• The colours of the bud change such that it looks “ripe” (over time you will develop a feel for when the buds are ready)

Trichomes go from Clear > Cloudy > Amber. It is often said that the more amber trichomes you have the more of a indica “body” high. The more clear trichomes you have the more of sativa “head” style high. This is what I would call stoner science and has not been proven by any studies I can find.

I recommend harvesting the plants when they have 5-10% amber trichomes. If you want more of a Sativa or Indica effect grow the appropriate stain.

To inspect your trichomes you need a 60x magnification glass. I recommend getting one like this that attaches to your phone camera. Not only can you take pictures, your phone camera will stabilize and autofocus for you.

This magnifies the picture on your phone screen and makes it much easier to test samples. I always recommend taking samples on 5 parts of your plants. If at least 2-3 of those samples have amber trichomes in them you are good to harvest. Samples can be taken anywhere there are trichomes. You can remove a sugar leaf for testing or test right on the plant.

This is the ratio of cloudy to amber you are looking for. Mainly cloudy with the odd amber trichome mixed in. If you can recreate this in a few samples your plants are ready.

Heavy amber trichomes in a meat madness plant I let flower 70+ days.