What's up Weed Nerds! Well what a hell of a grow cycle I have had in the past 3 months. First I had Thrips, then bud rot, now I have been dealing with a bit of Nutrient problems. It is more of a bummer then a loss. After all I am still going to end up with a decent harvest. But it should, and can be so much better. When I started back up my grow at the start of this year, I bought a bag of amendment to make my soil, "Living." Stuff worked great, but for my second cycle I should of not used the amendment I had, since It went stale. Well I am paying for it now, but also learning a valuable lesson. What lesson did I learn here? Well maybe not to be so complacent, and make sure I have what I need before I even start. There is no excuse to be lazy, and to cut corners when there is no need. With that said I am so over this cycle, and can not wait for the next one to begin, which should be a month. Before that happens, I need to finish these.........
Strains
- Gmo Cookies
- Vanilla Frosting
- Both are cuts from Dark Heart Nursery
GMO COOKIES
The GMO has an estimated flowering time of 88 days. As of now I am on day 40. Even with issues, it is looking decent. The smell is pungent! Today I had to take them out of the tent, and it was the first time I really got a good whiff. It was different, almost like a raw garlic dipped in pepper sauce. When I was younger I used to live near a facility that made spices, and the smell of this GMO brought back that memory. Should be an interesting flower once it is done.
VANILLA FROSTING
Here is the strain that I have been talking about for almost an year! Once I first learned of this cut, I knew I would eventually grow it. Happy Dream Farms, based in Humboldt County, grew out 1000 seeds of the cross Humboldt Frost OG x Humboldt Gelato Bx3, and the VF was chosen out of the best. She sure is not disappointing. The smell is almost like a velvety Og kush gas. It is fire! The flower time is estimated to be 60 days, but I suspect mine will go a bit longer.
Last week 
So to tell if cannabis is ripe enough to pick, there are a couple ways. First is to look at the pistols. If they are a dark color, and withered up, it usually is ripe enough to pick. But another, more precise way to tell, is to look at the trichomes. But you will need a magnifying tool to zoom in 30-60x. There are many tools on the market. Some range to a few dollars, while some can be a few hundred. I use a Jeweler Loupe. It cost me 12$, and can magnify 30x, and 60x. It also has a LED light, which I have found is a great feature. With a steady hand, you can even take pictures.
So what do trichomes tell us?
A clear trichome head
Has not reached it's full potential. If picked in this stage, the cannabis will be more of a energetic head buzz.Milky white trichome head
When trichomes are in this stage, your THC levels are at there peak.
- Amber trichome head
This signifies degradation of THC, but another cannabaniod is more prevalent. CBN. With this cannabaniod more present, your buzz will have a more sleep induced effect.
So when is the best time to harvest?
It is up to you! I myself like to harvest when trichomes have turned 5-15% amber. Some growers who have been growing a paticullar strain over time might pick when trichomes are clear, because they know that particular strain is better that way. Or maybe they have found that a strain is best to be picked when trichomes have turned 50% amber. That is the joy of growing your own medicine. You choose what is best for you. But as far as this current grow is going, as soon as I see milky white, I am calling it. It is time to start over, and do better. In the mean time, you all have a good one!
