Trichome Color Checking?

[hamstring]

Ok this may cause myself some grief but how are you guys checking trichome color? I have been using a USB microscope but I have to trim a small piece of bud each time.

So after asking around and looking around I bought one of the small hand held magnify glasses so i could check my buds without cutting a piece off. Well I thinks its a POS. There is no way in hell I can use this thing. You have to hold it right next to the bud and the plant moves around. Every once in awhile you get a glimpse of a trichome but then its gone.

Are people actually able to look at a bud trichome with one of these. I call BS or at least not like I want to do. I want to see a area large enough to see the percentage of amber trics. In my opinion this can only be done by cutting a piece of bud off.

How to you guys accomplish this with out cutting a piece of bud?





USB Microscope

Pics with the USB microscope

JUNK!!!

 

[led05]

Junk - Yup ^^

Belomo Loupe 10X is the best one of their groupings for above type of thing, insect & disease identification etc…. ask any geologist or serious plant guy - you get what you pay for and they’re pretty cheap anyhow….

Watch out for knockoffs

PS: Don’t worry, real 10X is plenty enough I assure you, the FOV on the 10X is 2x the 15x which is why I prefer it, I rarely use the 15x in fact due this reason

 

[Jellyfish]

What's so bad about cutting off a tiny piece of leaf?

 

[Old Piney]

I use a illuminated jewelers loupe I think it's 30 or 40x it works great.I think that thing is just to strong

​

 

[mack 10]

always had same problem,
so dam frustrating ,trying to get the trics in focus.
i too hate having to chop any buds off, just to check
but with the tools at hand, it is what it is.

there are a couple of cheap hand helds that work quiet well,
but are few and far between,

i was looking at a digi one like you have above
but it seems to have the same shortcomings.

ive got some old skool hash tipsif you still interested Hammehead,
in fact, they have been using the new tech for hounreds of years
without even realising.

 

[goingrey]

You can use a regular camera if the USB microscope can't reach your plants. Macro mode preferably.

Used to think people were silly for using loupes but as I get older I'm starting to understand.

 

[Sasult]

That chunk you cut off is 100x more than you need. This is the size of my samples.

That small scope you have works good, as long as you don't try to hold it to the plant. I tried it that way at first also, so I get your frustration. Small sample on a solid surface and it works as good as any other microscope and the price is nice, but definitely not a jeweler's loupe.

 

[exploziv]

I have used both digital and handheld pocket microscopes on living plants before. Problem is if the magnification is too big or focus field too narrow, it's hard to catch any bits in focus or mantain them there enaugh to see the trichs. After trying many ways and devices, I now only use a 20x pocked microscope with ilumination. I think 10 to 30X works, more than that and it's hard to focus. Just keep the bud secure with your palm, and rest the microscope partly on your thumb, so it doesnt move around too much. You should be able to see enaugh to judge it.

 

[Jellyfish]

That chunk you cut off is 100x more than you need. This is the size of my samples.
View attachment 18811257
That small scope you have works good, as long as you don't try to hold it to the plant. I tried it that way at first also, so I get your frustration. Small sample on a solid surface and it works as good as any other microscope and the price is nice, but definitely not a jeweler's loupe.

This is what I was talking about. What's so bad about tearing off a piece of leaf that tiny?

 

[Three Berries]

I have a USB 200x scope if I want to use it to look at the plants I take the laptop in with me. Otherwise the lighted jewelers loupes work great. 30x 60x for $5.....

 

[hamstring]

Junk - Yup ^^

Belomo Loupe 10X is the best one of their groupings for above type of thing, insect & disease identification etc…. ask any geologist or serious plant guy - you get what you pay for and they’re pretty cheap anyhow….

Watch out for knockoffs

View attachment 18811253

PS: Don’t worry, real 10X is plenty enough I assure you, the FOV on the 10X is 2x the 15x which is why I prefer it, I rarely use the 15x in fact due this reason

Ledo
Thanks for the reply and I am going to look in to those for sure. much appreciated.

 

[hamstring]

I use a illuminated jewelers loupe I think it's 30 or 40x it works great.I think that thing is just to strong

​

Piney
Thanks and I appreciate the feedback. I am learning you are correct. Stronger isn't better in this case.

 

[hamstring]

I have used both digital and handheld pocket microscopes on living plants before. Problem is if the magnification is too big or focus field too narrow, it's hard to catch any bits in focus or mantain them there enaugh to see the trichs. After trying many ways and devices, I now only use a 20x pocked microscope with ilumination. I think 10 to 30X works, more than that and it's hard to focus. Just keep the bud secure with your palm, and rest the microscope partly on your thumb, so it doesnt move around too much. You should be able to see enaugh to judge it.

Appreciate the feedback and it looks like the consensus is bigger magnification is not better.

 

[hamstring]

This is what I was talking about. What's so bad about tearing off a piece of leaf that tiny?

Ok, this is a very interesting reply. So you guys are saying a tiny piece of leaf will give me a good representation of the whole buds trichome colors/state?

 

[Dentex]

Leaf samples are more mature than bud samples as a rule IME

 

[hamstring]

Leaf samples are more mature than bud samples as a rule IME

Dentex
Hey brother thanks for the reply. This is a real learning experience.

 

[hamstring]

always had same problem,
so dam frustrating ,trying to get the trics in focus.
i too hate having to chop any buds off, just to check
but with the tools at hand, it is what it is.

there are a couple of cheap hand helds that work quiet well,
but are few and far between,

i was looking at a digi one like you have above
but it seems to have the same shortcomings.

ive got some old skool hash tipsif you still interested Hammehead,
in fact, they have been using the new tech for hounreds of years
without even realising.

Always interested in learning new techniques.

 

[led05]

Piney
Thanks and I appreciate the feedback. I am learning you are correct. Stronger isn't better in this case.

Ledo
Thanks for the reply and I am going to look in to those for sure. much appreciated.

IME Often The problem is claimed 30 or 40X often is actually less than true 10X, after one buys a quality loupe with a large Field of View (FOV) they’ll realize 10X is plenty, I.e you can spot russet & broad mites even with ‘em….

I’ve got all types of magnification here all levels of cost, all combined get less use than my Belomo Triplet 10X….

Anyone whom has ever followed this recommendation has greatly thanked me…

I push things hard cuz I know the difference a good tool makes, the triplet is a great tool…

Happy hunting & your most welcome

 

[hamstring]

IME Often The problem is claimed 30 or 40X often is actually less than true 10X, after one buys a quality loupe with a large Field of View (FOV) they’ll realize 10X is plenty, I.e you can spot russet & broad mites even with ‘em….

I’ve got all types of magnification here all levels of cost, all combined get less use than my Belomo Triplet 10X….

Anyone whom has ever followed this recommendation has greatly thanked me…

I push things hard cuz I know the difference a good tool makes, the triplet is a great tool…

Happy hunting & your most welcome

Ledo5
I already looked at the cost and it was only $35 frog skins. Worth it in my opinion if it works. This would be great for me as I am a old salty guerrilla grower and would love to use it on my outdoor crops.

 

[led05]

Ledo5
I already looked at the cost and it was only $35 frog skins. Worth it in my opinion if it works. This would be great for me as I am a old salty guerrilla grower and would love to use it on my outdoor crops.

I carry one in my pocket most the growing seasons - iirc they are made in Belarus