What does harvested too early or too late look like?

Early: most trichomes are still clear, pistils mostly white, effect thin and racy. Late: many amber trichomes, buds starting to lose smell, effect heavy and sleepy.

How do I prevent harvested too early or too late?

Start checking trichomes two weeks before the expected harvest.

Plant problems · Handling and timing · Flowering · Act this week

Harvested too early or too late

What you see

Early: most trichomes are still clear, pistils mostly white, effect thin and racy
Late: many amber trichomes, buds starting to lose smell, effect heavy and sleepy

Why it happens

The breeder's flowering time is an estimate. Trichomes tell the real ripeness.

What to do

Check trichomes on buds (not sugar leaves) with a 60x loupe
Harvest when most trichomes are milky with 5 to 20 percent amber for a balanced effect
Stop feeding in the last 1 to 2 weeks if your nutrient line recommends it

Next time

Start checking trichomes two weeks before the expected harvest

Not sure?

Take a photo of a bud close up through a loupe or phone macro and ask the Grow Doctor, or send it to the grow companion on Telegram.