Trichomes - the facts please?

So I'm beginning week 6 of flower and my trichs are clouding up nicely. But.. I've heard a lot of conflicting information on when the "correct" time to harvest is.

I read on one thread where someone posted a link to some reliable information about clear trichs being potent as long as they're mature. But then most other info conflicts that and says to wait for like, 4/5 cloudy. Other sources say the plant is ready when all the pistils recede.

I'd say my plant has around 40% cloudy, 60% clear, and no amber. About 30-40% of the pistils have receded.

This plant is taking up room in my cab and I just wanna get rid of it. Obviously it's a little too early but would I get anything out of it? Most all of the clear trichs are fully formed.

Even if clear trichomes could be potent "when mature", if you can't measure their maturity by eye, it's not really relevant.

Wait for more cloudy trichomes, don't just play a guessing game on whether you'll get the "good" clear trichs or not -_-

not only that but wait for the plant as a whole to tell you its done, all the pistils just about should recede and thats when your trichs will really start to cloud up and amber, its all preference realy. i like some of my weed stoney and to make me sleepy so sometimes i go for alot of amber tirhcs, with other strains i like to go with more cloudy for a better thc high, i hope this helps, your puurtyy

So...where are you at (lol)...I'll be right there to get rid of it for you and make that much needed space in your cab. aknight has it dead on...especially on your picture. Peace

Plants are at peak THC production at the moment the majority of the trichomes are transferring from very swollen clear to cloudy. The cloudy trichome signifies not only THC production has occured, but also the production of other essential secondary resins (mainly terpenes). Once ambering occurs in your trichomes, it signifies the degradation process in which THC starts its conversion to CBN. CBN is the cannabinoid most people associate with a "couchlock" or sedative effect.

There is no "right" time to harvest. You'll ask 100 growers and get 100 different answers. You have to find what you prefer.

I think common consensus is: Wait for some ambering. I'd say mostly cloudy, some amber. But it varies from strain to strain. Technically THC production is at its peak when the trichome is totally swollen and clear, but that is only a day or two before cloudiness.

That's the mistake people make, they look at the whole plant. Don't do that.
Look at each flower cluster individually. Harvest those flower clusters that are ripe.
Leave the un-ripened flower cluster on the plant until there ripe.
same principal as picking apples or berries or any other crop that ripens at different stages. You only pick the ripe fruit.

I agree there's no perfect time to harvest.

topfuel29 said:

That's the mistake people make, they look at the whole plant. Don't do that.
Look at each flower cluster individually. Harvest those flower clusters that are ripe.
Leave the un-ripened flower cluster on the plant until there ripe.
same principal as picking apples or berries or any other crop that ripens at different stages. You only pick the ripe fruit.

I agree there's no perfect time to harvest.

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That would be ideal if you want the entire crop to be consistent in it's cannabinoids but that's neither practical nor necessary and most likely wouldn't result in any measurable difference.

i like about 20% amber. use a loupe or pocket scope. GL

WayBaked said:

That would be ideal if you want the entire crop to be consistent in it's cannabinoids but that's neither practical nor necessary and most likely wouldn't result in any measurable difference.

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it would make no niticable difference, IMO go with when the plant tells you, not when you think. harvesting 1 bud at a time is unpractical and just plain work intensive.

I used to chop at first sign ot amber. After cu4ing there r much more amber. Gives a more couchlock buzz. I used yo wonder why I got more high offf other peoples weed, now I chop when trics r fully formed clear and just under half r cloudy. Happens quick, im yalkin abouy the main colas. Cures to some amber and clear cures to a yellowish. Nice up head high, makes for quick indicas.....im only talkin indica dom....hope yall read down this far.

Gotta pay respect where due, got thus info from the man subcool.

Po boy said:

i like about 20% amber. use a loupe or pocket scope. GL

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An amber trichome has degraded into CBN.
You do not want CBN, it only has 10% of the THC it did when the trichome was cloudy.

DJ Short says to pick when the trichomes are clear, tall and swollen.


If I see any amber, I pick.

Thanks guys for the clarification.


Well... I discovered a rogue nanner on one of my buds today... Plucked it off but I'm scared there are more. Is it possible for them to be hidden like, deep down in the bud? Or do they mostly form on the outside of the bud?

Thinking about going ahead and chopping the main colas...

I have never seen a plant mature in 6 weeks. Allways 8 or more.

Indica doms will b ready by my standards round 6 weeks. I hate couchlock. Love a good head rush.

Sorry to clarify, 6 weeks is the earliest

i have never seen a plant finish at 6 weeks, IMO it doesnt happen and if it does its way rare and you should keep those genetics.


ps. harvest marijuana is different for everyone, some people like amber tirchomes, some people like cbd, some cbn or thca or thcv, just because a trichome is amber does not mean its not ideal or any worse than a cloudy trichome, it all depends on what YOU prefer, there is no 'right' answer, to think there is is arrogance. not everyone likes what you like. everyone is different. good luck

aknight3 said:

i have never seen a plant finish at 6 weeks, IMO it doesnt happen and if it does its way rare and you should keep those genetics.


ps. harvest marijuana is different for everyone, some people like amber tirchomes, some people like cbd, some cbn or thca or thcv, just because a trichome is amber does not mean its not ideal or any worse than a cloudy trichome, it all depends on what YOU prefer, there is no 'right' answer, to think there is is arrogance. not everyone likes what you like. everyone is different. good luck

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I think im in the same boat as you, im @ 5 1/2 weeks, swollen buds my trics are getting amber about 10-15% brown color i dont think its shadow (bagseed).
Originally i thought i had a s., thin long fan leaves (soil, seed) but clones are showing some fat tout leaves so im beginning to second guess. anywho im not after the couch lock as of yet... so im thinking of chopping in a week. kinda airy bud but the clones (rw/clay) are looking thick =D. ( i hopes )

pc gl

Budsworth said:

I have never seen a plant mature in 6 weeks. Allways 8 or more.

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56 days with some strains. I got a USB digital microscope. Makes all the difference and not real costly. And, as I understand it, in the Shaman cultures, picking time has everything to do with what they want as the cure.

Want Sleepy? Need the patient Racked up with broken bone. Let it all go amber.

Snappy? Need to get that broken limb some weighted walking.

Inhale the stuff that was picked clear. A little goofy, not strong, motivating to get the ass up for a few minutes. Not long lasting.

For me, I like sativa snappy but not goofy. So, I let mine get to all cloudy until I see any amber. Even if there is still some clear, any amber, I pick it.

So, it is a spectrum. You need to sample it.

Hey Doer What scope do you use? Im thinking of getting this one http://www.amazon.com/AGPtek®-Microscope-endoscope-Compatible-Micro-measure/dp/B005AF0BZO/ref=pd_sim_hi_29. i want to get something that's a little more powerful then needed but not costly lol. Thank You.