Harvest & Curing ADVICE PLEASE! Trichome dilemma- Is it time to harvest?

[BuddhaWolf's Breaking Bud]

New medicinal grower here in need of some timely help!
I have ADHD and Narcolepsy (sleeping disorder) and I’m growing stimulant medication, as an alternative to Ritalin which is prescribed for both but I cannot ( refuse to) use.

so timing of harvest is especially crucial: I am growing weed for an energetic high, with euphoria and stimulation.
I do not want to couch lock and need advice on when to harvest before that point.

Strain: Californian Snow Auto | 70% Sativa. FREE SEED https://2fast4buds.com/seeds/californian-snow
Age: 8 weeks
Grow Medium: Ecothrive Living Soil, and Biosis microbial teas.
Light schedule: 18/6

Photo 1: I’ve attached a photo below (went to harvest cannabis) and have been staring at this California snow auto for hours trying to work out if it’s time…

Photo 2"

this photo is the closest I can get in terms of colour accuracy: she’s frosty and it looks quite sugarcoated, and to me trichomes look white… bot am not sure. Will more appear if I leave the plant?

Photo 3: Here’s a close-up with my fancy pant Jade-handled magnifying glass (it feels good to finally put it to good use!)

Photo 4: Most of the white 'hairs' have turned amber... not all. hope this is visible here

Photo 5: Most of the white 'hairs' have turned amber... not all. hope this is visible here

Thanks in advance!

@Bill.de.Cat @Olderfart

 

[Jpkindbud]

I tend to like the racy high, I harvest when all are cloudy with few ambers… even indicas. I’ve had over ambered bud before, makes me sleepy. There is no set time to harvest. You could do a staggered harvest and figure out what you like but if you want racy harvest mostly cloudy.

 

[Bob's Auto's]

The amber should be on the trichomes, not the hairs. But as JP said, if you want racy then the fewer amber trichomes will do that for you.
If you're in the opportunity to grown Bruce Banner from Sweet Seeds, give it a go. Never had a weed that activated me so much as that strain!!

 

[olbobcat]

You want to use a scope or microscope to check. For the medicine you seek you would be looking at having them cloudy and no amber if possible. Amber equals sleepy. Not all strains or plants will adhere to standards being set. Some will refuse to get amber. some will always have a mix of clear in them.

 

[BuddhaWolf's Breaking Bud]

I tend to like the racy high, I harvest when all are cloudy with few ambers… even indicas. I’ve had over ambered bud before, makes me sleepy. There is no set time to harvest. You could do a staggered harvest and figure out what you like but if you want racy harvest mostly cloudy.

Thanks for replying!

You want to use a scope or microscope to check. For the medicine you seek you would be looking at having them cloudy and no amber if possible. Amber equals sleepy. Not all strains or plants will adhere to standards being set. Some will refuse to get amber. some will always have a mix of clear in them.

thanks! I’ve got a jewellers loupe, and after a few attempts, here is the best photo I can get from it.

Does that look cloudy to you?
I’m trying to use the reference from this image, of when to harvest based on Trichomes and the hairs changing Amber.
They do look white and frosty from a distance and when I look closely, I think they are too.

would love to know your thoughts? thanks

 

[BuddhaWolf's Breaking Bud]

I tend to like the racy high, I harvest when all are cloudy with few ambers… even indicas. I’ve had over ambered bud before, makes me sleepy. There is no set time to harvest. You could do a staggered harvest and figure out what you like but if you want racy harvest mostly cloudy.

can I just ask what you mean by racy high?
I’m wondering, because I have general anxiety disorder and use CBD oil to knock that on the head. it really works. So I’m growing a CBD plant for that reason.

? The reason why I can’t take Ritalin is because amphetamines make me anxious. Trying to avoid that.

I just need the mental stimulation, and the body stimulation (get up and go motivation) but no psychosis! lol

 

[Suki]

can I just ask what you mean by racy high?
I’m wondering, because I have general anxiety disorder and use CBD oil to knock that on the head. it really works. So I’m growing a CBD plant for that reason.

? The reason why I can’t take Ritalin is because amphetamines make me anxious. Trying to avoid that.

I just need the mental stimulation, and the body stimulation (get up and go motivation) but no psychosis! lol

You're going to want cloudy with a bit of amber in that case. Also, you'll find that effects are really strain dependent as well. I'm currently on the hunt for something that will help with motivation and mood boosting. Trichs definitely play in but strain choice is also going to make a big difference as well.

 

[Bob's Auto's]

 

[Jpkindbud]

can I just ask what you mean by racy high?
I’m wondering, because I have general anxiety disorder and use CBD oil to knock that on the head. it really works. So I’m growing a CBD plant for that reason.

? The reason why I can’t take Ritalin is because amphetamines make me anxious. Trying to avoid that.

I just need the mental stimulation, and the body stimulation (get up and go motivation) but no psychosis! lol

Racy… obvious increase in heart rate, warm rush feel, giggly and able to accomplish many tasks in a small amount of time. Definite strain dependent. Some racy is good, other racy can cause anxiety in sensitive folks. You mentioned CBD… shouldn’t make you feel racy? Mood enhancing maybe as I have no exp with CBD bud… sry

 

[Bob's Auto's]

Racy… obvious increase in heart rate, warm rush feel, giggly and able to accomplish many tasks in a small amount of time. Definite strain dependent. Some racy is good, other racy can cause anxiety in sensitive folks. You mentioned CBD… shouldn’t make you feel racy? Mood enhancing maybe as I have no exp with CBD bud… sry

In the future you could mix and match. Take a bud of racy Sativa and mix that with some CBD bud. The CBD will help in containing the paranoid feeling.