more tricomb checking questions

[justcuz]

I was wondering about the best way to check tricombs. I have the pocket microscope from radio shack. I have been checking them two ways. One was to pull a leaf off the bud (not the fan leaves). Then put it on a flat surface and I can see the tricombs in great detail, and at about 50-75% amber, the rest are cloudy or somewhat clearish with an amber head. I also check the actual bud, but it is a little harder to see the tricombs and i worry about damaging some of the tricombs or the bud itself by handling it too much. When checking the bud it is not a flat surface and hard to focus the microscope on the tricombs and it moves around alot. It seems that there is less amber tricombs 35-40% on the bud,the rest are cloudy but very few clear with an amber head. I have heard that the clear with an amber head are the first stages of the tricomb development then get cloudy then turn amber or is it a clear tricomb turining amber. Or is this an amber tricomb? Also what is the best method for checking tricombs? How are you checking your tricombs?

[gardenandcats]

Clear then cloudyand then amber.Sounds like your done and ready to harvest.You want a mix of cloudy and amber..

[Thebadguy]

what should i do if i cant get a microscope

[stickerbushman]

>what should i do if i cant get a microscope
does the plant look like it is dying? if not, don't chop.
how long has it been flowering? most peeps flowered here in mid august, check the board, 8 wks is typical indica. you are likely right at 6 or 6.5 weeks, do you think you have a quick variety? if it is bagseed it is probably 8 wks. just read the seed brochures online, most all are 8 wks, so Mid-October.