Trichomes; The Cannabinoid factories of cannabis…
Many cannabis consumers do not know what trichomes are. However, trichomes are the most important part of the cannabis plant for both recreational and medicinal cannabis consumers. This is because the trichomes produce the cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the active substances in cannabis. These cannabinoids provide the physical and psychoactive effect that we enjoy, both medicinally and recreationally… The trichomes also produce the terpenes and flavonoids that give the smell and taste to the plant.
The word trichoma is derived from the Greek word “Tríchōma”, which translates to “growth of hair”. Because these are microscopic hairs, you really need to zoom in on that sticky layer of resin that covers first-class cannabis buds to see those fields of trichomes. They look like masses of stems with little mushroom hats.
The sticky trichomes are produced by the plant for various reasons;
It protects her from vermin. The sticky layer is impenetrable to certain pests and the smell of the terpenes spoils the appetite of the pests that are able to get through the trichomes layer.
It protects her from the climate. The resin layer protects her from the annoying and extreme conditions that wind, rain and sun can cause.
The sticky fragrant trichomes of the female plant catch the pollen of the male plant, which has landed on its buds by the wind, insect or human hand. In this way, seeds are formed, which in turn are dispersed by the wind, bird or human hand, thus completing the reproductive cycle.
This reproductive cycle must prevent the cannabis grower because, without fertilization, the green ladies produce more trichomes and cannabis consumers don’t like seeds in their weed, but they do like a good effect.
By keeping a close eye on the trichomes, the grower can also determine when the plant is ready for harvest. At the beginning until halfway through flowering, these resin bulbs will usually be clear. During the last phase of the growing cycle, the grower can see that the bright bulbs slowly take on a milky colour. Even later, they will turn amber. Most seasoned growers refer to a mix of milky and amber trichomes as the ideal time for harvesting as the plant will be at its full potential.
So if you’ve got a couple of ladies in your garden this year and you’re wondering if they’re ready to harvest. Grab a magnifying glass and check out those trichomes. Bright trichomes is an energetic clear high, milky white trichomes give a medium strong effect and milky white and amber trichomes give you the full powerful effect of the plant at its peak.
