Page 1 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 77

Thread: Trichomes

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    The Sheeple Paradise
    Posts
    649
    Thanks
    0
    Been Thanked: 554 Times

    Arrow Trichomes

    What are Trichomes?


    Although cannabis resin glands called trichomes are structurally diverse, they come in three basic varieties:

    Bulbous:

    The bulbous type is the smallest (15-30 micron). From one to four cells make up the "foot" and "stalk," and one to four cells make up the "head" of the gland. Head cells secrete a resin - presumably cannabinoids, and related compounds which accumulate between the head cells and the cuticle. When the gland matures, a nipple-like protrusion may form on the membrane from the pressure of the accumulating resin. The bulbous glands are found scattered about the surfaces of the above-ground plant parts.

    Capitate-Sessile:

    The second type of gland is much larger & is more numerous than the bulbous glands. They are called capitate, which means having a globular-shaped head. On immature plants, the heads lie flush, appearing not to have a stalk and are called capitate sessile. They actually have a stalk that is one cell high, although it may not be visible beneath the globular head. The head is composed of usually eight, but up to 16 cells, that form a convex rosette. These cells secrete cannabinoids, and related compounds which accumulate between the rosette and it's outer membrane. This gives it a spherical shape. The gland measures from 25 to 100 micron across.

    Capitate-Stalked:

    Cannabinoids are most abundant in the capitate-stalked gland which consists of a tier of secretory disc cells subtending a large non-cellular secretory cavity. During flowering the capitate glands that appear on the newly formed plant parts take on a third form. Some of the glands are raised to a height of 150 to 500 micron when their stalks elongate. These capitate-stalked glands appear during flowering and form their densest cover on the female flower bracts. They are also highly concentrated on the small leaves that accompany the flowers. The male flowers have stalked glands on the sepals, but they are smaller and less concentrated than on the female bracts. Male flowers form a row of very large capitate glands along the opposite sides of anthers.





    The figures above denote capitate-stalked trichomes with green arrows, the bulbous trichomes with yellow arrows & the red arrows mark the capitate-sessile trichomes. Cyan arrows denote cystolith hairs.


    Life inside a capitate-stalked trichome


    Disc cells, attached to leaf or bract by stipe cells (RED) & basal cells (GREEN), release fibrillar wall matrix into secretory cavity where it contributes to thickening of subcuticular wall during enlargement of secretory cavity. Plastids (ORANGE) in disc cells produce secretions called lipoplasts which synthesize quantities of lipophilic substances that accumulate outside the plasma membrane, migrating into the endoplasmic reticular cytoplasm and through the plasma membrane and cell wall into the secretory cavity where they form vesicles (BLUE) in the secretory cavity. Vesicles in contact with the subcuticular wall release contents that contribute to the growth of the cuticle during the enlargement of the secretory cavity. THC occurs in the walls, fibrillar matrix & other contents surrounding the vesicles, but not in the vesicles. Trace amounts of THC is present in the disc cells.


    When to harvest your trichomes

    There are several schools of thought as to when it is the time to harvest. I shall attempt to explain how you can determine the harvesting time that will produce the most favorable psychoactive effect for your individual preferences.

    We are most concerned with the capitate-stalked trichomes, as these contain the overwhelming majority of the psychoactive cannabinoids (THC, THCV, CBN). Different cannabinoids affect the high in a multifaceted manner.


    THC:

    delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol & delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol - THC mimics the action of anandamide, a neurotransmitter produced naturally in the body, which binds with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain to produce the ‘high’ associated with marijuana. THC possesses high UV-B (280-315 nm) absorption properties.


    THCV:

    tetrahydrocannabivarin - prevalent in certain South African and Southeast Asian strains of cannabis. It is said to produce a ‘clearer high’ & seems to possess many of the therapeutic properties of THC.


    CBD:

    cannabidiol - previously believed to be psychoactive, or to contribute to the high by interacting with other cannabinoids, conversely the most recent research indicates that CBD has negligible effect on the high, it is however a strong anti-inflammatory, and may take the edge off some THC effects, such as anxiety. CBD as a non-psychoactive cannabinoid appears to be helpful for many medical conditions. CBD biosynthesizes into cannabinol (CBN) & tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).


    CBN:

    cannabinol - a degradation product of THC, produces a depressant effect, ‘fuzzy’ forehead.


    CBC:

    cannabichromene - non-psychoactive , a precursor to THC.


    CBG:

    cannabigerol - non-psychoactive, hemp strains often posses elevated levels of CBG while possessing only trace amounts of THC.

    Heavy trichome production is not necessarily an indication of a potent plant. Some hemp strains have moderate layers of trichomes yet pack only a strong headache. In a drug strain, a thick layer of trichomes is a symbol that it may well posses an elevated potency level, but it is certainly not a guarantee.

    What defines a cannabis drug strain is the plant's ability to produce THC & THCV.

    A small 25x or stronger pocket microscope, which can be picked up inexpensively at an electronics store like Radio Shack, works well for getting a closer peek at your trichome development. We are examining are the capitate stalked glandular trichomes, the coloration of these gland heads can vary between strains and maturity. Most strains start with clear or slightly amber heads which gradually become cloudy or opaque when THC levels have peaked and are beginning to degrade. Regardless of the initial color of the secretory cavity, with careful observation you should be able to see a change in coloration as maturity levels off.

    Some cultivators wait for about half of the secretory cavities to go opaque before harvesting, to ensure maximum THC levels in the finished product. Of course nothing tells the truth more than your own perception, so try samples at various stages to see what is best for you & the phenotype your are growing. While you may be increasing the total THC level in the bud by allowing half of the glands to go opaque, the bud will also have a larger percentage of THC breakdown products such as CBN, which is why some people choose to harvest earlier while most of the secretory cavities are still clear.

    Indica varieties will usually have a 10-15 day harvest window to work with. Sativas and Indica/Sativa hybrids often have an extended period to work with.




    The figures above denotes clear trichomes with green arrows, the cloudy trichomes with yellow arrows & the red arrows mark the amber trichomes.

    Why did trichomes evolve in nature?

    Cannabis has evolved trichomes for a multitude of uses in nature, some of these require THC & other cannabinoids to be effective, and others that do not.


    Insect Protection:

    Many insects find the thick coating of trichomes unpleasant, this offers a level of protection for the developing seeds.


    Animals:

    The layer of trichomes and cystolith hairs makes cannabis less palatable to many herbivores & omnivores.


    Desiccation:

    The layer of trichomes helps to 'insulate' the pistilate (female) flower from low humidity levels and high wind.


    UV-B Light:

    UV-B light is harmful to living things, THC has very high UV-B adsorption properties, thus cannabis evolution may have favored the evolution of genotypes that produced these THC laden capitate-stalked trichomes as a built in 'sun-screen' for protection against UV-B light rays.


    Fungal Protection:

    Some of the compounds present in the trichomes actually inhibit the growths of some types of fungus.


    Quite possibly, the most important reason for the evolution of the THC laden capitate-stalked trichomes is the intercession of man in the natural selection process, favoring genotypes that produce copious amounts of THC laden trichomes.

    Thnx to overgrow for the original source from e-book

  2. The Following 223 Users Say Thank You to Couchlocked For This Useful Post:

    Adambomb (27-05-10), Adey1980 (11-05-14), AliceBrownieBaker (06-11-12), Aqua (11-02-11), AquaKaDabra (22-08-11), Arthurgwen (28-06-15), Autosmim (09-03-18), BabyBud (04-02-14), Bammbulance (14-05-13), barney_b (25-03-22), BaSHteaHcee (18-12-12), Be11y (27-09-13), BeachBum (23-05-21), BIGCH33S3 (12-12-11), Bloody Elbow (16-01-15), bodge (20-03-11), bourne (28-01-12), brillweb101 (28-09-16), bringonthebud (08-05-11), Britt41 (02-03-14), Brutalkillshot5 (01-08-13), Buckyno7 (04-02-13), BUDAllTheTime (18-05-10), budfarmer (06-11-17), BurninBrewer (20-05-13), Chambong (01-07-10), chazrazz (31-07-12), Cheezer (27-07-15), CockRoach (04-12-10), Cray (11-02-11), croxcx (27-02-13), cyanpotdog (30-05-11), Dal (05-05-12), daveyb11 (04-07-13), dekay (12-02-11), det.farmin (16-08-12), Deviousbeej (29-01-13), Dexters lab (01-03-16), diablo (22-05-11), Didge (27-03-23), dirty dude (28-11-11), djloops (05-03-14), djrave (19-04-13), dman05 (19-05-10), doctor (16-10-11), doctor gonz0 (09-01-12), Dr Green (09-10-18), Dr. Stoned 2.0 (28-09-13), Dr_ONE (09-02-13), dubeldandy (18-04-14), Duckster (28-10-19), Duke1 (27-09-13), elmo99 (16-11-10), Escartajo (11-12-17), flogrow (06-06-11), Fro (31-07-13), frostynugs (12-09-14), fzzy head (04-07-10), G' (15-02-18), ganjahbaba (09-07-12), gecko82 (06-06-12), GEORGE (07-04-20), ggotch (24-05-15), Ginger-bud (20-04-17), Giutz (04-08-13), glasgow grower (10-10-12), Gness (15-05-13), Goodbuddy (30-01-13), Grandad (10-11-10), GreenFingered (20-03-16), Gro-man (19-04-12), grosom (25-10-10), Grourown (07-10-11), Guinevere (02-08-14), Guywho_is (11-12-12), hajcyher (08-10-12), Hannibal (16-06-12), Hash Monster (27-03-10), henry420 (10-05-21), HeppenPepher (23-06-16), hersh (10-12-12), Hopalong (07-04-11), horisont (10-10-11), humblepie (01-10-10), IMTALKINGTHC (03-10-10), Irishjuls (15-12-12), island (29-07-12), isobull (08-09-11), Jane Doe (09-05-12), jibbers (22-11-11), JockMc (17-07-12), Joe green (05-10-12), joem113 (16-11-14), Juggalo_Jones (09-04-13), K.D.R.G.M. (01-12-12), Keenbuthopeless (03-07-12), kyusu (04-02-11), Lazyjane (04-03-13), LBN (29-04-13), Le chef (09-01-20), leafmeunknown (09-10-11), lil jacob (18-06-12), liquiddiscos (06-12-16), MacFeegle (29-01-15), Maebhin (31-12-19), maenam (04-10-13), marvel (22-08-13), mike4201 (10-06-14), milkcrates (05-12-12), mjay (18-05-11), mogzy (26-08-12), monkey75 (31-05-10), MrG (13-09-14), MrGrump (10-01-14), MrLers20 (11-05-10), n0t2l8 (12-10-13), needsmust (07-07-11), NFA (28-02-13), njbill (22-01-17), Novablaze (27-12-10), OgOOOG (22-06-21), Old Fart Scrogger (07-05-20), olderstoner69 (07-05-20), OldTokerVirginGrower (08-03-11), Olmec (25-01-14), Oxy (11-03-13), Pablo (24-11-17), paddy1 (21-08-12), pagan86 (08-10-10), pa_man33 (04-07-15), Peanut butter (17-07-18), Perpetual_Learningcurve (20-01-15), PhilZenMaster (15-12-12), pilgrim187 (05-03-13), PJR71 (10-08-14), PolarBear (03-10-12), prince vallium (30-09-14), purple_widow (25-03-10), RastaMouse22 (16-05-13), red eye knight (25-03-13), RedneckOz (19-07-17), riot (24-05-15), rizzlablu (15-08-12), rndusername (23-06-11), RonDogg007 (15-05-13), rorz (10-06-17), rosco_1982 (01-04-12), rottdog1975 (27-07-13), Rubbered (28-06-15), SaabRx (15-12-21), sean (12-05-11), SeanJM (25-07-15), She's-a-Lady (26-11-14), sherratt0101 (12-03-11), Sid James (12-05-16), silentj (30-09-12), SLUGMONKY (10-04-14), Smiffy (24-05-15), SmobyToker#1 (20-08-11), Smoker'96' (22-10-10), Smokeypants (08-08-12), smoke_dog (03-03-12), smoking ninga (20-02-16), SmokinGreen (25-07-11), smokymcpot (09-12-12), snooplotty (23-02-11), SouthCoastSmokers (28-02-13), Spiked (18-09-10), spite420 (08-11-13), spoodge (13-11-13), Stirruphead (27-09-13), strangegoat (18-09-11), SubZero (16-12-10), Tangerine (24-03-12), tartantoker68 (31-05-10), tattoodragon74 (31-08-15), taylor (18-10-12), TC-UP (12-04-11), TentBoy (17-07-12), teutonic (06-05-11), THE DUDE ABIDES (20-09-10), The G is Stoned (11-02-17), thebud (05-04-10), TheCloneRanger (09-04-14), TheDukeof420 (07-04-12), TheGreenMachine (20-03-10), TheGrimSqueeker (20-01-20), TheJudge (04-09-10), theo14 (22-12-10), Thing (06-04-15), tlh2496 (31-12-12), tnucami (04-10-13), toblue (19-06-17), Toki (16-01-14), traymondo (22-12-11), trousers (10-04-15), tuhaku (06-10-14), turbotoker (04-05-11), ukpercy outside in (04-12-13), Uncle Albert (09-05-12), Upandown (12-08-14), V8 (04-01-21), Valentina (03-08-17), Volcano (02-03-17), W Blair (02-11-11), walshy (25-02-16), weedtroll (21-04-14), wheelchair (27-07-10), WhoWhereWhenWhatWhy (02-12-12), x-metal (01-04-12), ynotgrow (03-03-11), YorkshireFarmer (25-10-18), zamtum (20-01-12)

  3. #2
    Offline Mmmmm.... Cheesy Cheesy

    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Your grow room
    Posts
    643
    Thanks
    0
    Been Thanked: 135 Times

    Default

    Thanks for this Awesome post.

  4. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to CheeseGreen For This Useful Post:

    fieldwalker (07-09-13), GEORGE (07-04-20), kevink8453 (13-05-10)

  5. #3

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    1,313
    Thanks
    0
    Been Thanked: 26 Times

    Default

    Amazing post! This shall come in handy
    "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards" ~ Soren Kierkegaard

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to PTB For This Useful Post:

    GEORGE (07-04-20)

  7. #4

    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    492
    Thanks
    4
    Been Thanked: 32 Times

    Default

    Now that deserves a round of applause at the very least...top thread!
    Smoking weed doesn't take my problems away, but it does stop me being arsed about them!

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to keshman For This Useful Post:

    GEORGE (07-04-20)

  9. #5

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    220
    Thanks
    0
    Been Thanked: 5 Times

    Default

    If they had shown me this in A-level biology maybe I wouldn't have flunked!!!

    Excellent post man love it

  10. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Wellstoned For This Useful Post:

    GEORGE (07-04-20), Ollieee (10-04-12), Valentina (03-08-17)

  11. #6

    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    6,126
    Thanks
    381
    Been Thanked: 400 Times

    Default

    yes, excellent read, thanks for posting it up mate!

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to Bitterfly For This Useful Post:

    GEORGE (07-04-20)

  13. #7
    Offline Mmmmm.... Cheesy Cheesy

    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Your grow room
    Posts
    643
    Thanks
    0
    Been Thanked: 135 Times

    Default

    I'm trying to pin point my harvest time at the minute (nearly all trichs are cloudy, none are amber yet) and i found this on the internet and thought it might add to the description.


  14. The Following 62 Users Say Thank You to CheeseGreen For This Useful Post:

    Adambomb (27-05-10), Antony (12-07-11), Arthurgwen (28-06-15), BabyBud (04-02-14), Bluntman78 (01-04-11), Britt41 (02-03-14), BUDAllTheTime (28-05-10), chazrazz (31-07-12), chezney (05-12-10), CodFish (23-06-12), Crashbandit (23-09-13), croxcx (27-02-13), Dal (05-11-12), djrave (19-04-13), fieldwalker (07-09-13), frost313 (22-07-10), ganjahbaba (09-07-12), Gaskell420 (03-01-11), GEORGE (07-04-20), Grourown (07-10-11), Hannibal (16-06-12), Hash Monster (27-03-10), HeppenPepher (23-06-16), horisont (18-12-11), Irishjuls (15-12-12), joebitchmontana (24-11-11), joem113 (16-11-14), K.D.R.G.M. (01-12-12), leafmeunknown (09-10-11), MacFeegle (29-01-15), maenam (04-10-13), milkcrates (05-12-12), MrLers20 (11-05-10), n0t2l8 (16-10-13), needsmust (07-07-11), NFA (28-02-13), OldTokerVirginGrower (06-03-11), PJR71 (10-08-14), PolarBear (03-10-12), purple_widow (25-03-10), RastaMouse22 (16-05-13), rizzlablu (15-08-12), rottdog1975 (31-07-13), SeanJM (25-07-15), She's-a-Lady (03-09-14), Skeeter (27-06-10), SmobyToker#1 (20-08-11), smoke_dog (03-03-12), snooplotty (08-03-11), Stirruphead (27-09-13), strangegoat (18-09-11), Tammy1126 (01-06-11), tattoodragon74 (31-08-15), taylor (18-10-12), the journey (10-01-12), tlh2496 (31-12-12), turbotoker (06-05-11), UnderStairsGrower (15-08-11), vapour (14-02-13), walshy (25-02-16)

  15. #8

    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Everywere,anywere,some were,no were
    Posts
    289
    Thanks
    58
    Been Thanked: 109 Times

    Default

    excellent read
    I have nothing but time man. There it is. TIME. Something everyone has. Just gotta know how to use it!
    Mixed grow log https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-foru...post1070814207

  16. The Following User Says Thank You to grassmaker For This Useful Post:

    GEORGE (07-04-20)

  17. #9

    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Everywhere!
    Posts
    4,020
    Thanks
    22
    Been Thanked: 10 Times

    Cool

    I agree spot on post.

  18. #10

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    london ///uk
    Posts
    65
    Thanks
    0
    Been Thanked: 4 Times

    Default

    so is it better to wait for them to start going cloudy then start the flushing and then catch the amber,?????

  19. The Following User Says Thank You to crazychicken For This Useful Post:

    GEORGE (07-04-20)

Page 1 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. No trichomes!?
    By Quertysquirt in forum Organic Growing
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11-06-11, 10:45 PM
  2. trichomes
    By grinchmon in forum General Stoners Discussion
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 21-10-10, 05:15 PM
  3. no trichomes?
    By terry tibbs in forum General Cannabis Growing
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 06-06-10, 04:33 PM
  4. Where's the trichomes?
    By pelleg in forum Hydroponic Growing
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-08-09, 12:09 AM
  5. how does these Trichomes look to you ?
    By ONEEYE82 in forum Cannabis Harvesting, Drying & Curing
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 23-02-09, 09:40 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


THCtalk.com Disclaimer - You must be over 18 years old to view/use this site .THCtalk.com does not encourage growing Cannabis or possessing Cannabis. Learning how to grow Cannabis instructions should be for educational purposes only. All Information contained in this web site is for: Historical reference, Scientific reference and Educational purposes only. Visitors to this website are advised against breaking the law as It is illegal to smoke, grow, or possess cannabis in the UK and some US States