it's hard to say with any certainty, but the plants go through the 40/60 phenomenon. the plants stretch the first 40% of the time and spend the last 60% fattening up. (from what i've noticed this is pretty accurate.)

with that being said, i would think that your buds up top would continue to swell until they are ripe for the picking. i personally wouldn't chop the buds unless the trichs show that they are ready. the plants buds start to swell because the female is trying desperately to catch some male pollen.

so beyond that it's a personal choice. worst comes to worst your can use the lower, smaller buds to make hash or something.


-shake<----------------no "expert"