Special Queen 1 by RQ

Hey there 👋 I prefer to only remove the ones who block the light and keep the rest for feeding. Considering how even your buds seem to grow on what I see there is no need to remove anything at the moment from my point of view. Hope that helped. Good luck & happy growing 👊🍀

At day 58 (week 8), you don’t wanna be stripping too many fan leaves. They’re still feeding your buds and helping with finishing. Just keep removing ones that are dead or really blocking light/airflow. Let her ride it out now and fatten up.

No.

Totally get you — looking at trichomes with a jeweler's loupe can be way harder than people make it sound online. Let’s break it down: --- 1. Trichomes in Real Life vs Internet Pics Online photos are usually taken with macro cameras or digital microscopes, so they're crystal clear and zoomed in. A jeweler’s loupe (30x/60x) works, but you often need really steady hands, good lighting, and the right angle. It’s normal that what you’re seeing is less defined or harder to interpret. --- 2. What "cloudy" means If most of what you’re seeing is milky/cloudy, that’s actually a good sign! That typically means peak THC, but not yet the heavier, sleepy "amber" phase. Clear = not ready, Cloudy = strong, uplifting, Amber = more sedative, couch-lock effect. --- 3. Guesswork vs Accuracy You don’t need to guess much if you: Look at multiple buds from different heights. Focus on trichomes on the buds, not sugar leaves (they mature earlier). Use natural or white LED light, not HPS or colored grow lights. --- Tips for Getting a Better Look: Cut a small sugar leaf or tiny piece of bud and look at it on a table under your loupe. Hold the loupe still and move the sample, not the other way around. Try taking a macro photo with your phone camera + loupe — sometimes clearer that way. --- Final Thought You don’t need "luck" — just a bit of practice and patience. You’re already doing it right by observing and asking. If the trichomes are mostly cloudy, you’re very close to harvest time, and maybe even in the sweet spot, depending on the high you want.

Got it — you're checking trichomes with a 30x/60x jeweler’s loupe, and they don’t look like the crystal-clear close-ups you see online. That’s actually super common. Here’s what’s going on and how to work with what you’ve got: --- Why Your Trichomes Don’t Look Like the Photos Online pics are usually taken with macro cameras or digital microscopes, often at 100x+ magnification, under perfect lighting. Your 30x/60x loupe works, but the view will be much smaller, shakier, and less detailed. Trichomes may look more like tiny fuzzy dots or glistening resin than actual mushroom shapes unless you have a really steady hand and good lighting. --- What to Look For (Practical Guide) Focus on the heads of the glandular trichomes: Clear: Not ready. Cloudy/milky: Peak THC. This is what you're seeing — that’s a good sign. Amber: More CBN, slightly degraded THC = more body/relaxing effect. If most trichomes are cloudy and a few are turning amber: You’re at peak harvest for a balanced effect (strong high, not couchlocky). More amber = more sedative, "heavy" buzz. Mostly clear = wait a bit longer. --- Tips for Better Viewing Use natural daylight or a bright white LED light. Aim the light from the side, not directly at the lens. Pinch a sugar leaf and hold it still. Moving plants make it super hard to focus. Use the 60x lens for spotting the shape and clarity — even if the detail isn’t perfect, you can still see "mostly clear vs. cloudy vs. amber." --- How much guessing is okay? Some guessing is normal, especially if you're not using a microscope. If 60–80% of the trichomes you see are cloudy, and maybe 10–20% are amber, that’s a solid harvest window. If they’re all cloudy with no amber, you’re very close — could chop now or wait a few more days

Grab a USB digital microscope, they run about $ 30 and are good for checking trichomes. You’ll be able to see exactly when they’re clear, cloudy, or amber, helping you dial in the perfect harvest window for your preferred effects. Link to Ninyoon 4K WiFi Microscope - https://www.amazon.com/Ninyoon-Microscope-Endoscope-Compatible-Cellphones/dp/B09SNSPHXX/?th=1 Or if your phone has a macro lens or close-up setting, that can work too. Just snap some clear shots and zoom in to judge the trichome color. Post some pictures. Trichome Color Guide 1. Mostly Clear (immature): Effect: Weak, heady, short-lasting high Not ideal for harvest – the plant isn’t ready yet 2. 50% Clear / 50% Cloudy: Effect: Uplifting, more cerebral, mild Good for: Daytime use, creativity, focus Harvest early if you want a more energetic or less sedating effect 3. Mostly Cloudy (with some clear): Effect: Potent high, strong THC content Best for: Balanced experience – both head and body effects Sweet spot for many growers harvesting for recreational use 4. 70–90% Cloudy / 10–30% Amber: Effect: Stronger body high, more relaxing, stoney Good for: Evening use, stress relief, pain, sleep Ideal for indica strains or if you’re looking for a couch-lock effect 5. Mostly Amber: Effect: Heavier sedation, more CBN (degraded THC) Used for: Strong medicinal needs (sleep, pain)