Indoor Flowering Stage

Hello,

First off, I want to give the disclaimer that I am brand new to threading. I have found a lot of valuable info from reading forums...including that if a "newbie" posts a "stupid" question in the wrong area they can get torn apart. So, if I should post the following question elsewhere please just let me know.

Quick background info on my growing experience. about 5-6 years ago I was lucky enough to have a very sucessfull and completely amatuer outdoor grow. I started 3 seeds I had been saving up after lucky finds, threw them in the ground after a few months and nature pretty much did the rest. My grandma actually took care of them once they were outside, but all she really did was water them and make sure to harvest at the right time, which for us was October.

Now, I have been given a nice female sativa about 3.5" tall. My friends had started this plant in their kitchen, no special lighting nor nutrients. The plant does have little buds all over with visible trichomes and orange hairs. However, I am having a hard time knowing where in the flowering stage my plant is. At first, I went straight to my plant shop and told them my plant was in the early flowering stage, an assumption I made based on the size of the buds. Of course I bought a nice light and some nutrients and after just 2 days I am seeing the plant look healthier. The guy at the shop said don't even think about harvesting for 8 weeks...

Then, I started researching like crazy and I am worried that because the plant was not started or cared for under optimal conditions that it might be well into its flowering stage (as most of the hairs are already orange) and that it will just have a weak yield. My concern is to salvage the plant, I don't know if I should harvest what is there and then start a new cycle or not. I have no problem waiting 8 weeks with hopes that my little buds develop and mature, I just don't want to harm the plant. I have been unsuccessfull in finding good info for my situation on the web. I can post pics if that would help. I called the guy at my plant shop, but he said due to the nature of the conversation I would need to come in with pics and my papers...which will take about 3 weeks.

Thank you in advance for your thought, I appreciate any advice on my situation!!!!

If its inside keep the plant and give it 12 hours of dark and 12 hours of light to keep it flowering. Are the hairs on the buds still white or are they turning color?

I have it on a times 12 on/off schedule. The hairs are mostly orange already that's why I am a little confused how far along the flowering stage is and what kind of a yield I will get.

Pics would help us help you

You will not get much of a yield if the hairs are already orange. It is more then halfway done with its flowering cycle. There are a million vids/threads out there explaining how to know when your weed is ready for harvest. I would suggest looking some up.

Yea, I know I have seen them, but I guess I haven't seen any examples where the buds are so small I am hoping they grow a little more before I have to harvest...any opinions on waiting the full 8 weeks from here considering the pics?

this should help

you need a microscope 30x zoom

i am new at this
copied picture and past but did not work !
check this web site out
http://www.420magazine.com/forums/harvest-preparation-curing/79156-pictures-when-harvest-trichome-colours.html

Ok, thanks a lot. I have a 100x zoom, so I will check it out tomorrow morning!

What kind of equipment are u using? Those buds look very small to be close to coming down. I would defy let it go longer to get the most from it.

I think you can expect a lot more growth than that. When your pistils (hairs) are 80% red, you are 3-7 days away from harvest. Best bet is to get a 30x scope and check the trichs to be sure.

wyteberrywidow said:

What kind of equipment are u using? Those buds look very small to be close to coming down. I would defy let it go longer to get the most from it.

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I have one 125 watt flourecent with a reflector and an oscillating fan, I know it's a modest set up but everyone has to start somewhere. Once I get it right with a few plants I want to upgrade to the 2x4 indoor greenhouse. I just looked at the trichomes with my handheld so I didn't have to snip anything, and they are all pretty clear *sigh of relief*. I will harvest once the trichomes look ready. I still think it's odd that most of the hairs on my plant are already orange....

MakeGreatGreen said:

hello everyone
i sorta new at this but i do know a fair amount. my main question right now is, im wondering how much more bud growth should i expect after the first sign of red hairs. they havnt seemed to show much growth over the past 4 days, but before they were booming.
this is my set up
i have a low basement so im going from clones to 2 weeks veg then into flower( im 8 weeks in )
i have a 35 gallon res
1000w hps
carbon filter and plenty of fresh air
using dnf and i change the water every 10 days
also using dnf fortifier

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Hello how are you? now go away and start your own thread.

Reloca said:

I have one 125 watt flourecent with a reflector and an oscillating fan, I know it's a modest set up but everyone has to start somewhere. Once I get it right with a few plants I want to upgrade to the 2x4 indoor greenhouse. I just looked at the trichomes with my handheld so I didn't have to snip anything, and they are all pretty clear *sigh of relief*. I will harvest once the trichomes look ready. I still think it's odd that most of the hairs on my plant are already orange....

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At least 3 weeks to go, wait till no hairs left. Next time dont veg as much and get a 150w hps for flowering to get chunkier/harder buds. Also get some flowering nutes to get some food into the plant. Keep the cfl for seedlings.

Reloca said:

I have one 125 watt flourecent with a reflector and an oscillating fan, I know it's a modest set up but everyone has to start somewhere. Once I get it right with a few plants I want to upgrade to the 2x4 indoor greenhouse. I just looked at the trichomes with my handheld so I didn't have to snip anything, and they are all pretty clear *sigh of relief*. I will harvest once the trichomes look ready. I still think it's odd that most of the hairs on my plant are already orange....

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those plants stretched more than ive ever seen a plant stretch. very low yeild. get a bigger light for your next grow and make sure to use a horticulture bulb.

Nepaljam x Oaxaca said:

those plants stretched more than ive ever seen a plant stretch. very low yeild. get a bigger light for your next grow and make sure to use a horticulture bulb.

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I would use 400w for more than just one plant, what you have to understand is I just got that plant last week so that was pretty much the condition it came in. Also, someone told me in another thread that is looks like a hermid. I did a lot of reading and I think it's because it never had a consistent light cycle until now... now I am just planning for my next grow and waiting to see what happens with this he/she. I prefer sativa so that's what I am looking to get started, I know it's tougher indoors, I posted another thread asking for the best indoor sativa strains in the indoor growing forum.

*BUDS said:

At least 3 weeks to go, wait till no hairs left. Next time dont veg as much and get a 150w hps for flowering to get chunkier/harder buds. Also get some flowering nutes to get some food into the plant. Keep the cfl for seedlings.

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OK thanks, can do. I am giving her nutes, like a said previously though I was just trying to save this plant...unfortunately it turned into a hermi. Sort of dissapointing but also good to know for future grows, I had know idea what "nanners" were before. I really appreciate the advice.

Reloca said:

I would use 400w for more than just one plant, what you have to understand is I just got that plant last week so that was pretty much the condition it came in. Also, someone told me in another thread that is looks like a hermid. I did a lot of reading and I think it's because it never had a consistent light cycle until now... now I am just planning for my next grow and waiting to see what happens with this he/she. I prefer sativa so that's what I am looking to get started, I know it's tougher indoors, I posted another thread asking for the best indoor sativa strains in the indoor growing forum.

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Check out my MMMP approved strains thread. Its a list of strains ive tryed indoors and out and got the best feedback from. be carful with south african kwazulu it can be tricky and it grows very tall.

Reloca said:

I would use 400w for more than just one plant, what you have to understand is I just got that plant last week so that was pretty much the condition it came in. Also, someone told me in another thread that is looks like a hermid. I did a lot of reading and I think it's because it never had a consistent light cycle until now... now I am just planning for my next grow and waiting to see what happens with this he/she. I prefer sativa so that's what I am looking to get started, I know it's tougher indoors, I posted another thread asking for the best indoor sativa strains in the indoor growing forum.

Click to expand...

Return the cfl you bought, and buy a 400w HPS with a digital dimmable ballast. With anything less you are really wasting your time, and power. If 400 watts is too much, simply dim down to 50% or 75% with the turn of a knob. Return that light back to the hydro store while you still can, and save your money for something useful.