Based on this study:
- Trichome heads have a cuticle which bursts/tears and secretes (exudes) resin when they mature.
- This bursting and secretion happens around the same time as trichomes start to turn amber.
And, as we know,
- Ambering of trichomes is due to oxidation of phenolic compounds (cannabinoids).
- Oxidation is neither good or bad, but it IS the reduction of THCA to other compounds (CBN and others, hard to find studies on it specifically).
So, my take is, generally:
- If we see amber trichomes, the heads have already started to oxidize, and separately, have started to tear open and leak/ooze resin.
Which leads me to believe that an “early” harvest is the way to go for maximizing potential THC levels, not just because of avoiding oxidation, but because amber trichome heads leak resin. I assume that we want to keep the resin IN the trichome head, basically.
I recall that DJ Short recommends an early harvest, when trichomes are still clear. That said we just have a absolute litany of parroted posts on every forum stating “two more weeks” and to seek some % of amber trichomes. In a world of disinformation, I guess I’m starting to think that commonly memed knowlege is usually “wrong”.
Does anyone have any experience in this domain?
FWIW, I am harvesting a test subject of Barney’s Farm LSD over the course of around two (2) weeks, where the first colas were pulled with crystal clear trichomes at day 64F. I’ll pull a few more when they are cloudy, and then the rest with 50% amber. Then, a blind testing process will begin. Wish me luck!