water before harvest

Originally Posted by ISO2BWELL

Are you determining "ripeness" by the colors of the trichomes, or hairs?

What I do is feed water, then water+molasses (1 tbl. gal), then water, etc. right up to the point she's about prime, let her go without for 2 days and then harvest.

ISO

Originally Posted by kailiwela44

i'm going by hairs. I just gave my last dose of molasses a few days ago, and straight water today. The next watering i will do a flush and just straight water from then on.
raf33. The citral took an extra lights on period for her soil to dry up. So instead of watering every two days it seems like i'll be doing every third day.
Thanks everybody,
kailiwela44

Originally Posted by ISO2BWELL

If this is a strain you have grown before, then hairs is a fair way to go, but if it is a new strain to you then how do you know it's ready? Hairs vary among differing strains as to color at harvest time. I would really enourage you to get one of the $12 handheld microscopes and check the trichomes for color...that's how to know when she's truly PRIME, and after all that hard work and waiting and not takin her early unless it's a total emergency she deserves the best!

I'm going by hairs until my gf has the motivation to find her old micro. I don't want to spend $ for a new one b/c i have a 6mo daughter, i am paying all the bills while my gf looks for a new job--long story short, her old boss is gonna hear from a few attorneys and civil rights board about her release while on maternity. I also am guestimating by the breeders info on 8-10 weeks flower period. I'll be harvesting @9 weeks.

As for watering period, you can guess the days, but plants feed at different levels at different times. I use a moisture meter and have come to trust it as it is always consistent and it's proved me wrong many times over the old "lift and feel the weight" method. Of course, the "lift and feel the weight" method is good too, but at times (like this) you don't want to over water a plant but don't want her too dry either. So, I water when they need it, and not till, and at times that could be 2-4 days between waterings.

ISO

Originally Posted by 4kaan4

If I am not mistaken, the theory goes that the trichs are to protect the flowers from UV and water loss. I usually let them dry out (not bone dry, LOL) between waterings for the last two to three weeks. I have no complaints about the sticky, icky, gooey buds I end up with at harvest time.

Okay, one complaint: the buds are so sticky that they are hard to roll up.

Later,
4kaan4

Originally Posted by scott06

It is speculated that trics may preform any one or combination of the following functions....protection from UV, protection from bugs, protection from dessication, attracting humans, making herbaviors forget where they found it, enhancing fertaliztion, and so on

In my experience it is the lack of humidity, not the lack of water in the soil that brings out the trics more...of course excess humidity can be caused by overwatering pots and it evaporating into the grow room