How I Checked My Trichs

jockogreen · #1 06-26-2008, 12:18 PM

I just checked my trichs, using a method that I'd like to share and see what y'all think. My goal was to check the trichomes, while disturbing the plant as minimally as possible.

Tools:

AND

I used the clippers, which are a perfect shape -- very steadily, I snipped part of one single pistil, and the clippers are shaped so they catch the tiny cutting in a well between the two cutters.

I then carefully took the cutters, including the single "hair", and placed it on a piece of paper. I prepared my 9 buck microscope by setting the zoom to 100x (it's so rinkydink that it shakes terribly if you try to adjust it while you're viewing). Next, I place the microscope so the pistil is in exactly its field of scope. You should know where that is on these scopes if you want to use them at all effectively. Figure out beforehand the exact spot that the microscope focuses on. Place the object as close to the actual viewing area as possible before attempting to view, and it'll make finding it through the eyepiece much, much easier.

X marks the spot

Now it's a simple matter of focusing on the edge of the mini-cutting. I only needed slightly to fiddle with the position before I got a clean view.

This seems easier than some methods I'd seen, such as bringing the scope to the bud and trying to focus while it's on the plant; and less intrusive than cutting off a piece of the bud. Technically, of course, I did cut off a piece of the bud. But one single hair isn't going to disturb the system or shock the plant.

I got a beautiful view of crystal clear trichs, which is what I expected since it's only week 3. I'd share a pic of what I saw, but unfortunately am limited by technology.

Anyone found an easier way?