Quote Originally Posted by djx759
first question, the buds don't look exactly like what i was expecting. each one seems to be about ten or fifteen 1/2" long little buds kinda close together. doesn't look like the hard as a rock, longer buds that i usually buy. is that because of the variety or do you think i might have screwed up.....just not as bad as the first time?
You might just not have enough light, or you might have a light leak. That sounds not ideal, but fairly normal. You'll get better results with learning and tighter buds with more light. Also much of the mass and density is put on in the last couple weeks of flower. By the time you cut you may have a little improvement.
Quote Originally Posted by djx759
second question, i have read all about trichromes and such.....but i don't have a good magnifying glass. the pistils on the top of the plant are almost all red (reminds me of the red hair sin i bought in high school 20 years ago) and the bottom ones are all still white. does that sound about right or again....do you think i screwed up? i'm not really worried about the absolute peak harvest time and such on this grow.....i'll figure that out as i get more experience.
No, you didn't screw up, the plant is just not quite ready yet. If you are working with no magnifying glass, then harvest when 80-90% of the hairs are orange, or when you get to the point where no new white hairs are appearing.

Quote Originally Posted by djx759
third, is it ok to cut a few buds off, fast dry them and get an idea of what i've got or will it stunt the flowering for a week?
Go ahead, you won't stunt the flowering. Cut off a crap little pom pom bud.

Quote Originally Posted by djx759
finally.......i'm stoned.......so i forgot.
lol


Happy growing. I'm glad you didn't give up after being disappointed the first time! Every grow will be better.