first harvest question

ok so i figured out how not to kill my plants on take 3 and got them all to the end of 8 weeks of flower so far. sorry if i sound like a dope but i'm having a hard time figuring out when the bud will be ready. the color on the trichs is a total mystery to me. i just cant tell. the plant below is a skunk #1 freebie which is supposed to take about 8 weeks but i'm using t5 + cfl so i expect it to take a little longer. so basically i'm wondering how much longer? the pics aren't the best. the camera sucks so i put a magnifying glass in front of the lens for a couple. lol i tried.

Estimates on flower time are always optimistic. I think that probably needs 2 more weeks. Most growers run far more risk of harvesting too early than too late. Keep that in mind. Some magnification to look at trichs is really needed.

Looks too early! I agree w/illegal smile, 2 weeks. A lot of things can delay the finish, low light levels, lack of nutrients, too many nutrients, pH levels off etc. I use a small 30x magnifier to see if the trichomes are turning color. Generally if they are milky or amber you're about ready. Clear is a little too early. I take samples from different places to get a general idea of how many have turned. Happy Gardening! GrowIT!

thanks guys. i guess this brings me to my next question. i've heard that radio shack has 60x magnifiers. what kind are they? are they like the sherlock homsey ones or something else like those things that jewlers use? i get so paranoid w/clerks when i have to get grow stuff lol. i never know what to say when thay ask what its for.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2179604

thanks brick top. i actually got that same scope. they had it in stock that the radio shack in the mall. the original pics i posted were taken on the 8th so its 17 days later. the trichs are about 25% amber all the way down the main bud which i think is good enough. i think this thing is ready to chop now but i wanted to run it by you guys again visually w/ my crappy camera since you guys actually have a clue lol. i took a pic inside under the lights and outside the room w/flash.

Choppy Choppy.
Congrats
~~Joe~~

Chop her down and post the weight....

sweet. thanks guys.

cant wait to see the weight, hope my first girls look like that!!