Quote Originally Posted by mackSwell
P.S. If the humidity in your grow space isn't too high, you may wish to go completely dark (0/24) for the last 2-3 days, or at least extend your dark time beyond 12 hrs. This can increase THC in your buds. But beware - too much dark time w/higher humidity will lead to mold on your buds!

Sorry to disagree with you mack but extra dark will not increase the THC percentage or the chemical content. That is set by the environment and the genetics of the strain.

The only true way to know when to harvest is by viewing the Trichomes. Yes you are correct about the color change.

Cloudy is peak and cloudy with 10-20% amber will give you a long strong stone and a great body high or couch lock stone) Early harvest is clear & cloudy but it does not last as long as the optimal harvest time.

The pistils will change color when they die off and dry up. Either temperature or time will make that happen. The color of the pistils is not a fair or even a good judge when to harvest. You are not after the pistils they are just a part of the plant's sex system. You want to smoke the Trichomes because that is where you get the high from not the pistils.