Pre-harvest trimming?? Drying with lights on??

[Vancefish]

I bought the Radio Shack 60X-100X hand microscope on Friday. When I got home I clipped a trichome coated bud leaf off the LST and could see a few cloudy shafts. Then I did the same to my natural plant, and could see mostly cloudy with a few clear(maybe 20%). So, I'm in my last few days to MAYBE a week, until I cut. Depending on which plant.

I've been watering with just RO and about a 1/2 teaspoon of molasses per 2.5 Gal. over the last week too. I'd planned to nute again today, but after seeing this I'm flushing instead.

So, As I've seen a lot, in many grow pics. Many people seem to trim off all the non bud, fan leaves at some point close to harvest. I've naturally seen a number of fan leaves die out during the last week or so, but many are still alive.

Should I trim them out?

What are the benefits/risks of this kind of trimming(other then the obvious improved light penetration)?

AND,.. How long before Harvest should, or can this be done?

I'm not saying I should or WILL do this. Just looking for advise before I NEED to know.

Then, once cut I plan to dry in the same room I flowered in. Question is,..

I have two vegged plants (a Durban poison, and a G13 X Afgani) ready to re-pot and move into flower. I'd guess having 52% humidity the first week wouldn't be a big issue for the early flowering plants. BUT will 12/12 be OK for the drying buds?

And again, thanks for your opinions in advance! :thumbsup:

Vancefish Reviewed by Vancefish on 04-11-2010. Pre-harvest trimming?? Drying with lights on?? I bought the Radio Shack 60X-100X hand microscope on Friday. When I got home I clipped a trichome coated bud leaf off the LST and could see a few cloudy shafts. Then I did the same to my natural plant, and could see mostly cloudy with a few clear(maybe 20%). So, I'm in my last few days to MAYBE a week, until I cut. Depending on which plant. I've been watering with just RO and about a 1/2 teaspoon of molasses per 2.5 Gal. over the last week too. I'd planned to nute again today, but after Rating: 5

[Dutch Pimp]

1. Drying should be done in a cool, dark place....with indirect airflow

2. if the buds have stopped growing?...I would stick with plain water...just enough to keep them alive...until the trichomes have reached the stage you want to harvest at.

3. I wouldn't cut off any leaves...the plant will suck the last of the nitrogen out of them...and discard them.

4. they look sativa?...so harvest/trichs is usually a little longer, along

5. I like 5% amber...:stoned:

Nice grow...congrats...:thumbsup:

[DogtowN]

I have two vegged plants (a Durban poison, and a G13 X Afgani) ready to re-pot and move into flower. I'd guess having 52% humidity the first week wouldn't be a big issue for the early flowering plants. BUT will 12/12 be OK for the drying buds?

And again, thanks for your opinions in advance! :thumbsup:

This is a "me too" post, parroting everything DP just said.

If you're tight on space and your harvest isn't more than a couple pounds, here's what I ended up doing. It might be something to try.

I grow in the pre-made tents, but this method is pretty simple to adapt to just about any grow environment.

I just ran some string across the tops of a couple big ol' rubbermaid tubs. Flattened out some 6" duct so I could fit it at the top of the rubbermaid tub with the lid cracked just enough to fit it in. Then I plumbed the duct to my grow-tent intake. The negative pressure draws a portion of the tent air through the rubbermaid tubs. Doing it this way controlled the odor nicely, as all the smell from the rubbermaids had to go through the carbon filters in the tents, and gave the buds a nice dark place to hang. Other ways I've tried ended up really stinkin' the whole house up. Dunno if this is any help, but figured I'd mention it.

[Vancefish]

These are a random mix of intended strains(as in good bag seed-w- random fertilization). My best guess via seeing Pure indicas, verses pure Sativas is about 50/50. Thus I've been expecting to finish in two weeks (ish). However as I said trichomes say otherwise.

I read that to avoid trapping chlorophyll in the buds you need to dry at around 50% (can't find that right now). However it's the one thing my friends have never tried to avoid that grassy taste. So that has been my plan.

My G13 X Afgani is quite root bound in a 5 gallon pot already(bad timing on my part). I've been trying to avoid that until the two already flowering have finished. So, was hoping to get them in ASAP.

Looks like a week(ish) until harvest. Then a week until dry. THEN I can start these other two.

Being in Colorado it is very dry. Today for example is somewhat overcast and looks like it COULD rain. Yet it's 22% humidity. I only own one humidifier that can adjust to a specific humidity. So, My flower room unfortunately IS my drying room as well.