High Newbie here !!

[Weebeehigh]

Hi all, just a few uqestions if possible - my 2nd grow and was planted in around end of May & left in the balcony for lots of sun - im thinking havent got much left to harvest but was wondering if you can help me with these questins. Thanks to all who contribute. Im currently helping the plant with some indoor light 120 w CFL since not much natural light out there left ....

Do I trim the leaves that grow out of the bud ?

How long do you think I have left till harvest ?

 

[fonzee]

1. Either the genetics are really not that good or the plant didn't have enough light. That causes for large internodes and lots of leaves on the buds. You want to trim off as much leaf as possible after you harvest. Be cautious not to break the stem while pulling off leaves.
Most people remove the big leaves by hand and cut down the smaller bud leaves with scissors.
Another thing to consider is breaking of trichomes. The less you handle your buds - the better. Whatever is left on your fingers is what the buds lost.
I use disposable latex gloves (if they have powder I wash it off) when harvesting and manicuring. When I get lots of resin on them (which I try to avoid) I change gloves.
I put all the gloves in the freezer and the day after the resin is hard enough to pull off with ease.
Then I roll them to a ball and its the best hash I ever smoked. (Still, I would keep it on the buds if I could)

2. It seems like you have 3 or so weeks.
The pistils should die and shrivel (70-90% of them), the pods that the pistils come from should swell like they bear seeds and the plant should take an orange aura.
If you look at the trichomes with a microscope you can estimate where you'r at by their color. With indica\sativa crosses like I believe your is I aim for 30-40% amber trichomes and 60-70% milky trichomes. But if the other terms aren't met I don't chop.