Ya man , you have to check the plants trichomes to know fer sure. I got a mocroscore at radio shack for 11 bucks to check mine. Trichomes are the little crystals you see on the small leaves and on the buds. That's the only way I know to check for the ripeness. When she's done the trichomes will turn brownish, when they turn 70 percent brown she's ripe and ready to harvest.