how to tell when the bud starts to swell?

Okay, I have been growing for awhile but don't think I have ever harvested at the optimal time. I currently have a starbud that was switched to 12\12 on April 15th. When should the buds start to swell? I know this is a noobish ? But o well

The last two weeks ime. So if its a 65 day strain then i would expect them to start swelling at day 50 or so.

Thank you for the reply

Sure no problem brotha

Last 2-3 weeks imo. Check the trichomes to know when to harvest, I'd say at least wait until they are all milky and a couple are starting to turn amber. Some people like to wait until they are 50-75% amber. Its all personal preference.

Oh you will see it. And it doesnt necessarily fatten up literally 2 weeks before finishing. Dont go by that or you might end up harvesting early. Listen to 707. Trichs are the best way to check for the inexperienced.

Its dumb I know but checking the trichs to me is like trying to read Greek. It makes no sense, dunno if my eyes are bad or what but they all look the same. I'll post some pics soon and maybe y'all can give me opinions

Get a magnifying glass or an eye loupe, its really hard to tell with out one.

Here

demonhaze said:

Here

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Didnt fatten up.

demonhaze said:

Here

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It still needs like 5 weeks!

mr sunshine said:

It still needs like 5 weeks!

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I figured around that. Thank you

If you take weekly pictures its easy to tell.
Growth will be pretty linear until the last 2 weeks which youll see no more growth of pistols and see massive fattening.

Don't forget the pistils will recede. Just wait for the calyxes to swell up. They'll pretty much swallow up pistils for the most part. Just be patient and wait it out. You'll see. That's always a sign its getting damn close. You might notice pistils curling up and turning orange, brown or red. Not just a few but a majority of them. Although that's not a harvest indicator. I've had plants do that and still cave clear trics. But it's what happens when my girls are "getting fat for daddy"

According to breeder I should have around 11 days left BC supposedly this is a 8 week "exactly" strain. What say you riu?

demonhaze said:

According to breeder I should have around 11 days left BC supposedly this is a 8 week "exactly" strain. What say you riu?

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Breeders lie. Almost all of them about flowering time, also they're stating flower time under perfect conditions for that particular strain. I always go a week to two over what breeders time is stated. I have fairly good conditions most of the time, but I know flowering time is very easy to extend and impossible to speed up. Patience is key.


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kmog33 said:

Breeders lie. Almost all of them about flowering time, also they're stating flower time under perfect conditions for that particular strain. I always go a week to two over what breeders time is stated. I have fairly good conditions most of the time, but I know flowering time is very easy to extend and impossible to speed up. Patience is key.


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So how long you think then? Trust me it won't get cut until its ready but I'm curious

listen to humboltd. i go by trichs as well. get a 420 scope for 16 bucks off amazon or radioshack probably has them. jewlers loupe will work too

Breeder times are estimates only for the most OPTIMAL of grow conditions ( which most growers wont be able to duplicate ) . Some so called 55/60/65 day strains , for me get pushed out to week 9 or sometimes 10. Sativas can push out farther .

Go by triches only. Determine clear / milky ratio and start to monitor. It can change daily.
Some strains won't show amber or won't show yellowing leaves ( near harvest ) either.

Also , you can partial harvest the tops ( if more ready ) and leave mid / lower buds to continue swell and maturity.

She will pretty much look bigger by eye every day when she starts to swell along with fat ass calyx's. You will even notice when swelling slows down just by looking at it. Pretty hard to miss.