By Luke Sumpter Reviewed by: Silvia Maroto


What Are Trichomes?

The word trichome is derived from the Greek word “Tríchōma”, which translates as “hair”. As they are microscopic, you really need to zoom in on the frosty blanket of resin, that coats high-grade cannabis buds to see the fields of trichomes, that resemble masses of stalks with tiny mushroom heads.

But be cautious, a big crowd of trichomes doesn’t guarantee the weed is “loud”. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a trichome as “a filamentous outgrowth; especially: An epidermal hair structure on a plant”.

Botanical comparison of trichomes with hair can lead to confusion with the pistils, that are obviously visible to the naked eye as the hair-like strands protruding from calyxes of flowering female marijuana plants.

Cannabis trichomes deserve a more specific stoner-friendly definition, an explanation of their functions and overall importance.

We shall endeavour to bring you clarity. In our opinion, it’s best to consider trichomes as minuscule biological cannabinoid factories found predominantly on the flowers and sugar leaves of weed.

The scientists have identified three categories of glandular trichomes found on cannabis plants:

  1. Bulbous trichomes
  2. Capitate sessile trichomes
  3. Capitate-stalked trichomes

It’s number 3, the capitate-stalked glands, that are of interest to weed lovers because they are the largest, with a globose head of 50–70µm, a stalk of 150–200µm, and produce the greatest amount of oily medicinal/recreational goodies.

WHAT ARE TRICHOMES?

What's The Purpose Of Trichomes?

In nature, it is believed, that trichomes facilitate quite a few essential to survival functions of the cannabis plant. Terpenes present in resin repel herbivory and insects. In addition, cannabinoids and other terpenes can complement each other to provide plants with a complex defence mechanism against insects. In addition to reducing the risk of pest-related damage, cannabinoids also have antimicrobial properties.

Furthermore, trichomes may also play a key role for cannabis growing in difficult climatic conditions. A layer of resin offers wild weed protection against damaging winds from the desert sirocco to the Siberian blizzard.

Trichomes even serve as organic sun block for marijuana plants, protecting them from the effects of UV rays from the sun. We shall explore the relationship between UV and trichomes a little further below.

Why Are Trichomes Important To The Cannabis Cultivator?

Trichomes are an essential part of the cannabis plant, and learning about them can dramatically improve your skills as a grower and, in turn, the quality of your harvests. Without trichomes, we wouldn’t have THC, CBD, terpenes, and the other cannabis phytochemicals we know and love.

Aside from learning their botanical function, understanding the importance of trichomes' fluctuations in appearance and development will help you harvest your flowers at just the right time.

  • They Produce Cannabinoids And Terpenes

All growers should have an appreciation for the role trichomes play. Recognising that these small, mushroom-shaped glands are responsible for manufacturing cannabinoids and terpenes will prompt you to take extra care when pruning, harvesting, and trimming your plants.

  • They Indicate When It's Time To Harvest

Trichomes serve as a bridge of communication between the grower and the plant. By simply observing their colour throughout the flowering stage, you can get a rough idea of their chemical composition. Skilled cultivators know the exact time to harvest their buds to ensure maximum cannabinoid levels and optimal effects.

  • Clear Trichomes

As your plant transitions into the flowering phase, you’ll notice the first trichomes appear. Young and immature trichomes feature a clear, translucent appearance. They maintain this appearance for the first part of this phase before their chemical composition changes significantly for the first time.

- Can I Harvest With Clear Trichomes?

No. Clear trichomes are a sign that your plants still have some maturing to do. Avoid being impatient and harvesting your plants while your trichomes look like this, as it indicates that they aren't potent enough just yet.

  • Cloudy Trichomes

Cloudy trichomes feature a milky and opaque appearance. This development means they are now expressing higher levels of THC alongside terpenes that contribute to a more energetic and cerebral high. If you prefer cannabis that makes you feel awake, alive, and creative, you should start to think about harvesting your flowers soon.

A visual guide to harvesting cannabis based on trichome color. It shows four stages: clear trichomes (not potent), cloudy trichomes (energetic high), amber trichomes (body/couch-locking high), and mixed trichomes (balanced head and body high).

- How Long Do Trichomes Stay Cloudy?

Trichomes remain cloudy for approximately two weeks. Towards the end of this stage, they start to change appearance once again, indicating more developments in their phytochemical composition.

  • Amber Trichomes

Towards the end of the flowering stage, trichomes turn an amber hue. During this time, they hold slightly less THC and higher levels of CBN. Otherwise known as cannabinol, THC degrades into CBN over time and with exposure to the elements. This molecule tends to contribute to a more stoning high, so harvest your flowers during this stage if you prefer a sleepy, physical high.

  • Mixed Trichomes

Between the cloudy and amber stages, you’ll notice a period where your flowers possess both hues at the same time. This is perhaps the best time to harvest your flowers, as they will provide a high that targets both the body and the mind. The buds will possess high levels of THC, but with a touch of CBN.

  • Light Determines Trichome Production

Now that you’re clued up on the importance of trichome appearance, you should also consider how light affects trichome production. Cannabis plants evolved outdoors for millions of years, so it makes sense that natural sunlight fulfils their demands for photons and leads to greater trichome production.

Although the sun does an amazing job for outdoor growers, modern LEDs work to replicate this natural light source indoors. These devices mimic the spectrum provided by the sun’s rays, helping to optimise trichome levels as a result. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation shows potential in stimulating cannabinoid biosynthesis in cannabis trichomes.

HOW TO INSPECT YOUR TRICHOMES

How To Inspect Your Trichomes

When taking a closer look at your cannabis flowers, you’ll notice a shimmering layer of resin on the surface of the buds. However, it takes more than the naked eye to really get up close and personal with these vital glands. Luckily, cannabis growers have identified the very best tools for the job.

  • Jeweller's Loupe

Used by jewellers to assess the quality of precious stones, these devices do an amazing job of zooming in on trichomes. Many jeweller's loupes also feature a built-in light that helps to increase the quality of the image. You can also use these tools alongside your phone camera to take pictures of your trichomes and track their progress throughout the flowering phase.

  • Microscopes

Digital microscopes link up to laptops via USB to provide clear, zoomed-in images of trichomes. Use these cool devices to explore your plants in a whole new way. Take screenshots along the way to zoom in even further using your digital device.

Handheld microscopes are a useful tool for getting a closer look at your plants when strolling around your grow room or garden. They don’t require electricity, so you can carry yours around whenever you notice something of interest. The Carson Microbrite Plus Pocket Microscope works amazingly well at monitoring trichome maturity. It features 120x magnification alongside a bright LED to light up those sparkling glands. Simply adjust the zoom and focus until you have a perfect view of the subject.

  • Macro Lenses

Macros lenses augment the zoom of inbuilt smartphone cameras. Clip these devices onto the side of your phone—positioned over the back-facing camera—to take close-up images of your flowers and trichomes. Macro lenses offer the benefit of taking instant images. Use your phone to zoom in even further into specific parts of the image.

Fun Stuff To Make With Trichomes

At this point, you are probably already making the connection between trichomes and extracts and you’re absolutely right. OK, so we have confirmed, that a healthy coat of resin is responsible for the finer attributes of cannabis.

Trichomes are the building blocks of all kinds of wonderfully potent concentrates and hashish. Everything from the hand rubbed Charras of the Indian subcontinent to Colorado’s CBD medicine comes from resin.

The method of extraction may vary from Moroccan sieving of plant material and then pressing, to butane gas derived hash oil, that can be whipped into “budder” on a low heat. The raw material is always trichomes and they can easily be separated from the green material.

Sometimes all too easily and not by intention, so remember to handle buds and colas with care, because resin heads are easily snapped off and dried bud can degrade rapidly if improperly stored. Concentrates have the additional huge benefit of an indefinite shelf life.

Trichomes are not everything when it comes to cannabis, but they definitely are the most important thing. The rise of dabbingamongst millennial stoners and the international legalisation of medicinal CBD products means trichomes have never been so important cannabis culture.

The Green Revolution is no longer tied to smoking sticky green. Knowledge of trichomes opens the doors to cannabis cuisine, awesome concentrates, tinctures, a plethora of medicines and new amazing discoveries yet to be made.

Techniques To Boost Trichome Production

To increase the potency of your trichome creations, you can employ several tried and tested techniques to ramp up trichome production during the flowering phase. The more trichomes on your buds, the more material for your hash, concentrates, and kief.

You’ll be happy to hear that most of these techniques are super simple. The best methods involve strain selection, lighting, harvest timing, and environmental factors.

Trichomes: The Source Of The Cannabis Experience

Now that you’re aware of the sheer importance of trichomes, we encourage you to head into your grow room or garden and take a look at these structures with new eyes. Purchase a loupe or microscope and take your trichome analysis skills to the next level. While you’re waiting for your next crop to ripen, use these simple skills to boost the number of trichomes on your buds.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: