An estimate on budding time.

Hi,

I've been writing quite a lot about this plant. Nearly killed it (drought), root bound, and it's still hanging on. This is my first grow, and an experiment in all aspects (I'll go into it all once the plant gets to the smoking stage - if it ever does).
The plant has now been on 12/12 for 38 days, the buds are looking well (if a little burnt), but the plant still smells completely veg. Is this normal for the length of time & how long on average would it take till I'm able to cut it down.
I'm impatient now to get it over and done with, and then start a new one, (hopefully) learning from my first mistakes. Of course I'm going to give this baby all the time and care it needs. Just wondering if I could get an estimate.

The plant is from bag seed, 1 x 125w Red Envirolight, 38 Days Flowering.

Any opinion would be nice, I've attached a pic for your viewing.

I tell you man, those buds are BIG for 38 days, but maybe thats just because it's blurry. But anyways, its gonna be a bit. Can you tell us whether it is sativa or indica? that would help alot. Most plants take 8 weeks or so. So you have a bit. 8 weeks=56 days, you're at 38. Hold on man. You will be rewarded

I've been told (on here) that's it's mostly Indica, but persnally I don't know. I've attached a better pic from a month or so ago, and you can see the plant better.
The buds are really doing well. There's 2 real big ones - 3" height & 1" width at thickest part. I nearly killed the plant a few weeks ago though, or it would look in much better state.

You should go to Radio Shack and get yourself a small 60-100x Microscope with the LED light built in. It will set you back 10 bucks but will allow you to see the trichomes that are on the buds. This is your best way of judging when to harvest. Harvest when most of the Trichomes are cloudy with a few amber.

niceneasy:
you are offering proof that you can get a great grow from fluoros. i have a dual 125w envirolite and am on my 3rd grow with it (from start to finish). it appears you're doing very well. as for your question, do what darthsmiker says, go get the magnifying glass (he said microscope but i cannot imagine trying to check trichomes with a microscope). i ordered a 30x magnifying glass on ebay for 3 bucks.
booch

Thanks for the help people, advice well taken.