is it normal for plant to stiffen up before harvest?

Is it normal for buds and leaves to get stiff right before harvest? They still appear to be healthy other than the fan leaves which are dieing off. I am on my 2nd grow and it has happened both times. Is it like this for all strains? I am growing Short Rider from Nirvana. The first time I kind of panicked and harvested kind of early. I am going to chop it this weekend. The trichs are about 25% amber 60% cloudy and 15% clear. The hairs are being sucked up by the bud but still about 30% white hairs. The last plant was in an aerogarden and this one is in soil and the buds are like little spiny rocks. Is this normal? I have put this plant through hell and it has had a stressful life for her.

Read the description on many plants : many descriptions will talk about stone like buds. These are the desirable buds because they pack on so much weight in such small space. From what you are describing it sounds like a normal thing.

My answer to this does not come out of experience though, I just have read TONS and TONS over the last 2 years. So take my answer with a grain of salt =)

They look okay to me, although they've had their share of nitrogen, along the way.lol Man, those things are dark green. Other than that, I wouldn't worry too much, they should finish out fine.

blunters said:

Read the description on many plants : many descriptions will talk about stone like buds. These are the desirable buds because they pack on so much weight in such small space. From what you are describing it sounds like a normal thing.

My answer to this does not come out of experience though, I just have read TONS and TONS over the last 2 years. So take my answer with a grain of salt =)

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This thing is super dense, I hope it is a good thing. If I pinched one of the buds I may possibly cut skin it is so stiff. heh But it isn't brittle.

jawbrodt said:

They look okay to me, although they've had their share of nitrogen, along the way.lol Man, those things are dark green. Other than that, I wouldn't worry too much, they should finish out fine.

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Would you believe I only fed it 2-3 times and very light on the N? They are in Fox Farm Ocean Forest and I think it is heavy on the N.

^I can believe that, especially if they are in bigger pots, like 5 gallon buckets. It's some potent stuff, i use it too, and normally don't have to feed them in veg,(4-5 weeks) and I use 3 gallon pots.

Dense nugs are a good sign, so you can expect some good smoke soon.

jawbrodt said:

^I can believe that, especially if they are in bigger pots, like 5 gallon buckets. It's some potent stuff, i use it too, and normally don't have to feed them in veg,(4-5 weeks) and I use 3 gallon pots.

Dense nugs are a good sign, so you can expect some good smoke soon.

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Nice. She is in a 3 gallon mop bucket. heh