The Trichoscope is your best friend when it comes to examining your plants.

This 30 times magnifier with clear white LED light is used to determine the perfect harvesting moment and to discover small insects on your plants. Magnifying 30 times enables the user to clearly see trichomes and insects like thrips or mites on the plant.

Trichoscope

Magnifiers help the human eye to see objects in detail from close by. The lenses in the Trichoscope bend light rays to recreate an image that is larger than the real-life size of the magnified object. This way, a human eye is able to identify for miniscule insects. Furthermore, the magnifier can aid in identifying the state in which small plant parts (e.g. trichomes) are in.

Dr. Tom

Do you want to learn more about trichomes, small insects and pests or general plant health? Ask Dr. Tom for help!

Trichomes

The epidermal outgrowths on plants are called trichomes. Several types of trichomes can be distinguished. Some of the most common types are: hair, scales or glandular trichomes. Plants use trichomes for various purposes, the most sophisticated being to deter herbivore attacks. This is done via physical means (cacti) or via chemical means (poison ivy).


DIFFERENT CRITTERS

  • Spider mite
  • Spider mites puncture the plant cells to feed and spin silk webs to protect the colony from predators. They vary in color, are less than 1 mm in size and are roundish.
  • Thrips
  • Most thrips puncture plant cells to feed, although some thrips are predators. They have wings, and can thus fly (although weakly). They vary in color and their shape is elongated.
  • Whitefly
  • Whiteflies are small flying insects that feed and lay eggs on the underside of the plant leaves. They have bright white wings, attached to a body that is in between 1 and 3 mm in size.
  • Aphids
  • Aphids are sap-sucking insects that come in a great variety of forms, size and color. All of them have antennae and most of them are wingless. They are often found concentrated in big numbers.
  • Fungus gnats
  • Fungus gnats are small, dark flying insects that lay their eggs in the top layer of soil. The body length of an adult fungus gnat ranges from 2 to 8 millimeters, and they are know to be weak fliers.
  • Mealybug
  • Mealybugs small, white insects that feed on plant juices. The females are easily spotted by the human eye because of their wool-like body. The males are much smaller and more mobile, since they have wings.
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THE RIGHT HARVESTING TIME

  • Clear trichomes
  • The cannabinoid level of the trichomes has not yet begun to develop significantly. The potency of the end product when harvested now will be extremely low.
  • Light white trichomes
  • The cannabinoid level of the trichomes has started to ramp up. The potency is developing rapidly now, but it is not yet on its peak.
  • Cloudy white trichomes
  • The cannabinoid level of the trichomes is very high. At this moment the relative amount of THC in the trichomes is at its peak.
  • Amber/brown trichomes
  • The cannabinoid level of the trichomes is at its peak and will start to decline because of oxidation. THC is rapidly converted into CBN at this point.
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What is the proper way to use a magnifier?

The correct use of a magnifier might seem easy, but not everyone seems to be able to get the most out of their Trichoscope. To use the Trichoscope, one must first extend the loupe to expose it. The available light in the room will dictate if you need the LED light to shine. Extend the loupe to the maximum to switch the LED light on. Next, hold the lens close to your eye and either move the object to the lens, or move your head and the lens in the same position towards the object.

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About Dr. Tom

Dr. Tom is constantly trying to bring professional equipment used in laboratories and greenhouses to the consumer market.

He does this, because he believes that measuring and analyzing the environment benefits the outcome of plant growth processes. According to Dr. Tom it is of upmost importance to check your plants for pests and insects regularly. One can use the Trichoscope to do this.

The perfect harvesting time can also be determined with the use of the Trichoscope. Just take a look at the resin glands on the plant tissue to get an idea of the maturity of the plant.

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