Mature trichomes? Here’s how to figure it out for sure

Modified on: 12/09/2023

Ripe trichomes are equivalent to a quality crop: here’s how to identify the right ripening of trichomes and why it is important

In the world of legal hemp, in order to obtain quality crops from which to obtain CBD oil, hashish and fragrant inflorescences, it is important to be able to exactly identify the right time for harvesting.

If you make a mistake in the period in which to proceed with the cutting of the CBD buds, you risk compromising months and months of cultivation.

If the world of CBD cannabis fascinates you and you want to know more about one of the crucial moments of the work of canapicultors, here you can find out how they act to understand that trichomes are mature and why it is important to know it.

What are trichomes? Discovering hemp communicators

When it comes to cannabis (both illegal and CBD weed) the terminologies associated with it are multiple. One of the strange words you’ve probably heard of most often is “trichomes”.

But what does trichomes mean?

Or is it fairer to say: what are trichomes?

Trichomes are invisible components of hemp plants, they are small stems with a mushroom-shaped end, which mainly cover the inflorescences and the smallest leaflets of the plant.

Although the word trichomes comes from the Greek and means «hair growth», it is important not to confuse these components with the pistils, that are much longer filaments visible to the naked eye (in female plants in the flowering phase).

Now you’re probably wondering how to observe trichomes, since we wrote earlier that they are invisible in the naked eye.

Well, to be able to see them you need to use a microscope or a magnifying glass, but despite of their small size, these small filaments are really very important!

Why?

First of all, the production of resin, cannabinoids, and terpenes depends on trichomes, that is all those substances and aromas of hemp so loved in the most varied sectors and from which legal hash, CBD and much more are obtained.

Furthermore, trichomes, again because of the production of these substances, have a decisive role regarding the protection of plants: the resin protects against harmful UV rays, wind and attacks by insects and parasites, but also the scent of terpenes discourages attacks by rodents and various insects.

And finally, trichomes can offer canapicultors fundamental information about the characteristics of the inflorescences!

Let’s see how mature or still developing trichomes communicate with canapicultors.

Read also: Amber trichomes in cannabis: characteristics and specifications

From younger trichomes to mature trichomes: that’s why recognizing them is fundamental

Trichomes can be considered real messengers of cannabis plants.

In addition to having a decisive role for the health of the plant, these small filaments that apparently recall the effect of frost, assumingly based on their appearance, can give indications regarding the state of maturation of the inflorescences, the type of cannabinoids developed and the quantity (in an indicative way) to those who grow plants.

If it seems absurd to you, below you can better understand why it is important to recognize mature trichomes.

• Transparent trichomes
  When trichomes are still young, while examining them with a magnifying glass they appear transparent and translucent. At this stage, hemp has not yet produced enough cannabinoids and terpenes, so picking up the buds at this stage would be a mistake.
• Dull and milky trichomes
  But as trichomes mature and begin to produce cannabinoids, their appearance also changes: from transparent and shiny they become opaque, and they also take on a whitish color.
  At this stage in CBD cannabis crops, a high concentration of CBD develops, in illegal herb plants THC prevails.
• Amber trichomes
  When you start dealing with the first amber trichomes you can finally talk about trichomes ready for harvest. In this phase, the trichomes have undergone a further variation, so they begin to produce a series of substances with a more calming and sedative effect and less “energizing” and “euphoric”.

In most cases – although it depends on the species of legal or high THC hemp that is being grown – the ideal time for harvesting is when the trichomes are ripe, but not totally amber.

Collecting the buds and sugar leaves covered with mixed trichomes allows you to get a mix of cannabinoids, terpenes, and well-balanced aromas.

That’s why recognizing mature trichomes is crucial.

When these small resin-producing hairs are still in development, the flowers are still unscented and cannabinoids are also in short supply or poorly balanced.

In addition to this, it must be born in mind that some cannabis genetics have trichomes that apparently do not mature, because they remain white. In reality, it is a peculiarity, but to give an indication on the right maturation of the flowers there are also the pistils, long filaments that when ripe become amber.

Read also: Cannabis cycle: here are all the growth phases of the plant

To conclude

Now you know the importance of mature trichomes.

If you happened to have to dealt with very fragrant CBD flowers (such as those you can find in our Justbob store) it means that they were harvested at the right time, just when the trichomes were quite ripe.

When, on the other hand, it happens to smell a little fragrant inflorescence, it means that it has been collected too early or too late.

In short, the maturation of trichomes can really make a difference.

After this in-depth analysis, if you are a collector of legal weed and you also like to collect its CBD-based derivatives, we invite you to visit our store Justbob.

Many top-quality products are waiting for you: see you soon!