Looking at trichomes to determine harvesting time?

[orangeman]

I was wondering is magnifying the trichomes of buds is a reliable way to determine when you should harvest your plant? Also if it is (and only if it is lol) what magnification level should my magnifier have..like.. should I get a 10x or higher? I've read alot about it but I just wanted like more info because it seems like it's more interesting than it used to be.

[Bluefunk]

You need 40x or 100x preferably with a light to see the colour of the trichromes. A 50:50 mix of amber and cloudy is preferably for an "all round" high.

[orangeman]

Ok thanks.

[Legalizdahurb]

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The first pic is through a 2.5X eye glass and the second 2 are through a 15X eye glass.(Sory about the focus on the second 2) I would prefer something a little better but that will do 4 now.

[Zandor]

Really you need a 30x pocket magnifying glass. More then that and it's too much you don't get the field of view you need. 100x is way too much. The idea is to view the color of the trichome and the ability to view many trichomes in the same view so you can see the average.

There is an FAQ that may help you.

[orangeman]

Really you need a 30x pocket magnifying glass. More then that and it's too much you don't get the field of view you need. 100x is way too much. The idea is to view the color of the trichome and the ability to view many trichomes in the same view so you can see the average.

There is an FAQ that may help you.

Yeah I basically just wanted to see the color of them, so 30x would be good enough? Because I was planning on buying a 60-100x with a light on it lol.

[Zandor]

30x is the one you are looking for.

[Bluefunk]

Do you think Zandor? I find determining the colour is difficult on 40x but much easier on 100x when the head of the trichrome almost fills the view. This might just be personal preference or the fact my eye is not trained so well. Surely they are still almost pinheads under 30x mag?

[Zandor]

Well with 100x (and I have one too) you see very close up and to harvest you want your field of view larger then just one or too trichomes.

You want to see as many trichomes in your field of view as you can because you harvest on the average.

It's easy to see the color Amber it sticks out with ease in a field of clear and milky trichomes.

That's my opinion anyway

[orangeman]

Well I hope so because I seen some 30x magnifications and maybe I didnt see it good becasue the quality was shitty or I wasnt lookin at it with my own eyes with the microscope but they looked pretty small, I'd hate to get one then whem my plant is ready for harvest I look and can barely see them lol. Of course I'm gonna try to get a indica first so I'd be lookin for amber heads but I plan on growing a sativa for my second grow, do you think the milky trichomes can be mistaken for being clear with a 30x magnifier?

[Zandor]

Well I hope so because I seen some 30x magnifications and maybe I didnt see it good becasue the quality was shitty or I wasnt lookin at it with my own eyes with the microscope but they looked pretty small, I'd hate to get one then whem my plant is ready for harvest I look and can barely see them lol. Of course I'm gonna try to get a indica first so I'd be lookin for amber heads but I plan on growing a sativa for my second grow, do you think the milky trichomes can be mistaken for being clear with a 30x magnifier?

No there is no mistaking clear or cloudy trichomes. Amber is degrading so the THC is on the way down in quality.

30x is perfect for viewing trichomes. Try to adjust the field of view to improve your focal point.

[del...]

i've found a 10x will do just as well and provides a better view as any shaking gets magified too and the higher power mags are all but impossible to see anything with any slight breeze. i found one with a 10x on one half and 20x on the other end on ebay for under 20 bucks but there are all sizes to be found there. radio shack puts out a pocket microscope for about 23 bucks also that works very well under controled conditions...even comes with its own light!