Josh and CPW are smart dudes !! For years OD, I always looked at the plants overall appearance. Trichome/resin production was something that we were not really looking at. We used to call harvest time "the peak of fluoresence" ! That's when the buds were big, stinky, resinous and ready to chop !! VERY FEW strains are gunna be ready before Sept 30. Make sure to keep them watered good for the last few weeks. Peace