Let's use macro photography to inspect the trichomes on my cannabis plants to see if they're ready for harvest! My Steem OG and MK Ultra females just finished their 15th week, and should have about 2 weeks to go!

_{(For recent videos of the plants and flowers, try my posts here and here.)} ![sa.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaaodneaVMvFTTgtGeQwRTeYSWd2kxKxJF9ixGQv6722n/sa.JPG) A Steem OG top bud, with a couple more in the background. Gleaming trichomes cover every surface within a couple inches of each flower. About 3 in 4 pistils have dried up and turned orange, which indicates a flower nearing maturity. Let's look closer at the trichomes. ![sb.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVtpqmfhXfzGXsqGfj2NJGrm2FbNVShSLx7na16q4bwYi/sb.jpg) Trichomes are what we're growing cannabis for, unless we're growing it as hemp (fiber). Trichomes are where the medicine is - the cannabinoids. These 140 or so natural compounds have counterparts in the human body - the endocannabinoid system. We evolved alongside this plant and have receptors in our bodies and brains for its products.

I'm always at awe when my crop reaches this point, and I realize that with a bit of help from nature, I made those bright shining little balls of pure health. I grew that cure for cancer. I created that treatment for PTSD and chronic pain. My actions and work, my knowledge and effort, have combined to produce life-changing medicine for my wife and I, allowing us to continue to be healthy and active. It's empowering. My life is improved by this plant, by growing it, and by sharing the knowledge and passion with you.

In this case, there are plenty of trichomes, and they look healthy and well-formed, but they aren't ready for harvest. I see very few amber or yellow trichomes, and almost no dark trichomes at all. Most are milky white, which is a sign of early maturity, but not quite time for harvest! Another 10 days or so should be great.

MK Ultra

The 3 MK Ultra seem like they might need even more time, probably the full 2 weeks. ![ma.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZErT2a2RMfyDCuexjsGbioUbT7gTRuSd1NQdwPaq53A5/ma.jpg) Breathtaking, really, and I dedicated a whole post to them last week here. It's my first time growing MK Ultra's impressive (and classic) genetics. I've never really enjoyed it much whenever I came across it in BC's underground market, but I'm excited to try this crop. My technique has a way of bringing out a genetic's flavours and effects in an optimal way. The trichomes are indeed abundant and milky, but they're not matured yet. A closer look reveals interesting structures between trichomes: ![mb.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYcNcnNWB9Q1bacb4XFYLDcEaS5dVmSCtC8ATvaSmiXjo/mb.jpg) To the left of center, there are what appears to be strands of cannabinoids, terpenes, and waxes - a bridge between trichome heads. (No, they aren't webs! These plants are completely clean of anything that could do that.) There are 4 or 5 of them in the same area. I don't know how they form, but I've seen them before, usually near the end of the plant's life, as flowers get heavy and loaded with trichomes. Maybe as the flower grew, several trichome heads that were touching, spread apart, leaving a sticky connection between them?

In any case, it looks like 2 weeks will be about right. I'll have another close-up look in a week, and share what I find with you! It looks and smells amazing here, and I hope you enjoyed immersing yourself in my garden for a moment.

Grow in peace, DRutter ![banner2019.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcKCWLWdq3gt9MbFKcHWTBX8HSdchbzGRB9PmMypKeoWQ/banner2019.jpg) --- _{Posted via [weedcash.network](https://www.weedcash.network/@drutter/flowers-in-full-bloom-let-s-do-a-trichome-check)}