I've heard the anecdotal testimony that harvest should occur when trichomes are 50% amber and that this produces a more couch lock stone.

Here is why I think this is BS. There is an entire body of science regarding the effect of light passed through a substance and why it demonstrates a given color.

The Growers Bible says that milky trichomes signals peak THC production. This suggests that light passed through heavy THC concentration produces a milky color. This is a physical effect that the THC molecule has on light, particularly how it refracts the light. Sodium has the effect of refracting the red light spectrum - this makes light passed through sodium appear orange or red. A polar Bear's fur is actually clear but refracts the light to make it appear white. Get the idea?

Amber trichomes most likely are caused by THC that is degraded into another chemical - one that refracts the light differently.

Anyway, it is the way the light is refracted that tells us what a substance is composed of. The belief that the THC is "more ready" when it changes colors just doesn't make sense.

In all likeliness, the more white a trichome is the higher the THC concentration. When they become amber, the THC has decomposed into IDK what. That is the way this type of chemical identification works.

Harvesting when trichomes are full milky is probably the best time. Amber trichomes means you waited too long.

Interesting Theory.

I know I have had to harvest earlier then I planned.
When most of the trichomes were cloudy about 30% were clear.
After curring it a month or so Its some of the best I have ever grown.

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I believe you are 100% correct.Milky trichomes is the peak of THC production.I also believe that slightly degraded THC gives you the "couch lock" effect that I like.I'm not sure but I also think it effects the flavor..but have nothing to support this.

The change of color has as much to do with the cells that house the THC as the THC it's self. The THC is stored inside small cellular structure. The structure as it ages changes color. It do not think we are doing some spectral analsis when we look at them, more judeging the age of the structure.

Each stain will hit peak at a different point. Some strains should never be taken to "Amber" and some are weak unless taken to that point. Some strains wil begin to get male flowers before they change all amber.

It think everyone can agree that all clear is early and all amber is late. The best way is to start taking samples of product from just all cloudy up until mostly amber and once you have smoked them you will know that strain.

All colors are a result of spectral analysis. eg. we know plants don't use green light because they reflect green.

Now it could be the case that other substances in the trichome are responsible for the color change but if that is so the color means nothing.

I do believe that the milky color is caused by heavy concentration of the THC molecules. I suspect amber color is the result of THC that has degraded into other non-psychoactive molecules. It may also be true that the other cannabinoids responsible for the sedative effect are higher in these later stages, hence the couch lock feeling. But, I'm convinced at this point that THC concentration is highest when most trichomes are milky color and none or very few are amber.

if the Growers bible you are referring to is by JOrge Cervantes, be very careful with some of his information. most is ok, but some is just out there.

I hear you. I have found a few errors in it but for the most part he is usually correct. On this issue I think he is spot on.

maybe this can help clear things up..

Attached Images

2940when-to-harvest.jpg (42.8 KB, 71 views)

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i have a small library of pot magazines and i really dont wanna go through it to find the exact article but in a cannabis culture issue there is an article about the trichome and it talks about this.

when the trichome is at peak thc production it has a cloudy appearance, over time the thc degrades and there are higher levels of cbd and cbn cannibinoids and thats where the red color comes from. studies show that thc give a more energetic (head high) effect and cannibinoids such as cbd and cbn are more narcotic(couch lock).

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That is entirely possible. But do CBD and CBN produce a psychedelic effect of more of a sedative effect? If the standard belief holds true these substances produce a sedative effect.

The next question is, is THC sacrificed or are you trading the high for the sedative effect? Plus, if you are growing a Indica heavy strain you will already have higher CBD & CBN so...