New Grower Perpetual Auto Grow By The Trifid..

[Trifid]

Cannabinoids and floral maturity; terpenes and fatty-acid rancidification


It is well understood that cannabinoids are predominantly, if not entirely, synthesised and sequestered in small, globular structures called glandular trichomes. Most of the aromatic monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes found in the floral mass are also located in these structures. However, the gene activities involved in the bio-synthesis of cannabinoids remain unclear. The major chemical precursor of the synthetic pathway arises from the action of enzymes responsible for the control of each individual mechanism. It is generally accepted that drug varieties of cannabis have enzyme systems the convert CBD-acid to THC-acid and thereby favor THC-acid accumulation and that fiber strains of cannabis have been found to lack such enzymes. THC is the primary psychoactive substance secreted by glandular trichomes with CBN, CBD and other accessory canabinoids. It is reasonable to suspect therefore, that the most productive botanical material would contain these glandular trichomes in substantial quantities, and at their optimum stage of development (Potter 2004).

Blue Himalayan Kush in full bloom (wk8-9)

Fox-tail flower clusters - Blue Himalayan Kush (wk9)

Terpenes and other aromatic compounds may also serve to potentiate or suppress the effects of THC. We know that canabinoid levels may be used to establish canabinoid pheno-types and that these pheno-types are passed on from parent to offspring - therefore canabinoid levels are in the most part determined by genes (Clarke 1993).

Bluematic in full bloom (wk9) -left. Rancidified capitate-stalked trichome 400x magnification -right

The taste and aroma of cannabis essential oils is produced by the activity of nearly 20 different aromatic terpenes which are secreted as a component of the resin released from the glandular trichomes. When the floral clusters are squeezed by touch, the resin glands rupture exposing these terpenes to the air leading to their oxidation to derivatives. Polymerization of the aromatic terpenes leads to the accumulation of resinous solids as the flora material ages. Additional aromas may interfere with the terpinoid components such as ammonia and various other gaseous products released by the process of curing and fermentation.

Pineapple express in full bloom (wk9)


Several types of trichome are identifiable at peak maturity. The majority of the trichomes present resemble secretory glands either balbous, capitate and stalked. The capitate trichome is the principal form responsible for the intense secreation of cannabinoid laden oils. Therefore it is key to the breeder of drug varieties to select parent pheno-types with a high density of capitate stalked trichomes.

Pineapple express - translucent capitate trichrome (200x magnification)


The quality and quantity of resinous production varies according to variety. For instance, a strain may produce many trichomes but not secrete so much resin. Although in the early stages of flower development, the resinous secretions appear translucent, oxidative rancidification of trichome fatty acids leads to a change in their appearance and aroma; chemical decomposition of the translucent resin gives it an opaque or 'cloudy' appearance.

Bluematic in full bloom (wk8 -left, wk9 -right)


These changes are generally indicative of flower maturity. Some varieties however produce a blonde or translucent amber resin throughout flower development regardless and these indeed are often considered the most psychoactive species.

Bluematic (wk9) mature or 'amber' capitate trichomes (200x)

Smurfberry (wk9)

 

[Noods]

You have some extremely good stuff going on there Trifid. Those plants look like they're just dripping wet and the fox-tails are so cool. Great pics!!

 

[astronomy420a]

jeeez..... my head hurts trying to retain the great info in your thread... give me more pain!!

 

[drjkl]

I know what you mean Astro. I must be a retard for so much to go over my head in a thread in the new growers forum. Good info Trifid and great pics as usual.

 

[Trifid]

Here's another Blue Himalayan grown by UnholyFire. The flowers are particularly resinous and cloudy at only 45-50 days with beautiful color changes occuring on the foliage. This one appears to be more of a sativa dominant pheno-type with very long pistilate and slender leaf structure. I'd be very interested to read a smoke/aroma report from this stunning plant.

Blue Himalayan (Day 45-50) by UnholyFire

Blue Himalayan (Day 45-50) by UnholyFire

Many thanks to UnholyFire for sharing this and giving me permission to display it here..
Here's the link to the thread - http://www.autoflower.org/f44/pc-grow-noob-4943-3.html

 

[Noods]

...The flowers are particularly resinous and cloudy at only 45-50 days...

Most certainly a fine example for dictionaries to help define the word "Resinous".

 

[flwr]

Whoa! Wicked information and pictures.

 

[UHF]

I'd be very interested to read a smoke/aroma report from this stunning plant.

Thanks friend. Kinda gives me the big head a little (lol j/k) I'm still just so proud I managed to keep her alive. Her sister bean pop'd and that was it. I have 3 more BH fem and 1 BH reg which I'll start after the Cobra reg which is next up. But ya a smoke report and all are just a few short weeks away.

 

[PrezDickie]

"Some varieties however produce a blonde or translucent amber resin throughout flower development regardless and these indeed are often considered the most psychoactive species."

I've never heard of strains that produce blonde resin... Do you know which varieties carry this trait? I'm not that interested in growing a highly psychoactive strain because my wife needs the more indica body stone for her condition, but i'm facinated by the plants and you seem well informed just hoping you'd induldge my curiosity.

 

[Trifid]

Sorry Prez i've been away for a while.. The varieties that produce translucent-amber resins throughout the flowering period are mostly those from equatorial zones like Columbia - many of the original Skunk 1 in the 80s and 90s retained this trait but the last time i witnessed a skunk 1 room the trait was not present. Other varieties i've grown consistently with this trait include the Duck-foot (GypsyNirvana) from Wally Duck in Australia. These derivatives develop very large webbed foliage and a pineapple rich amber resin throughout the entire flowering period - this in fact makes the judgment of harvest a problem for me since i prefer a smoke higher in CBDs. This means i must go by pistillate receding and caylzx color changes as an indicator of maturity in these plants. Many of the original Duck-foot brood retained the tall and robust character of the sativa-dominant Hawaiian parent. Another is the medicinal-Romulan.