Anybody familiar with buds under a microscope?

Aapoo

Well-Known Member
I was curious about the dark spots at the base of the shafts. These images are from the top of a sugar leaf. The part that looks like a stalk is the vein in center. I've never looked at a half dried sugar leaf so I don't have a baseline as to what is normal or if strains differ allot close up. Afraid those dark spots were a sign of mold or disease. I think my viewing g has become tainted with the notion since my grow area has smelled of mold and pot for most of the grow, even though the rootball had no signs and never found any anywhere else on plant.
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
See the purple coloration of your plant overall. Look at the base of your sessile trichome and compare colors. That is where your purple hue is coming from. You aren't zoomed in enough on the cell for me to pull identifiable structures for you to see. But here's a basic gen bio lab manual:

This examines anthocyanin producing cells and higher resolution:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Microscopic-observation-of-anthocyanin-biosynthesis-in-pericarp-and-aleurone-layer-of_fig1_331252424 (this is in corn)

Nothing to worry about, your plants look good. I'd guess non glandular trichomes tasked with anthocyanin production.
 

Aapoo

Well-Known Member
See the purple coloration of your plant overall. Look at the base of your sessile trichome and compare colors. That is where your purple hue is coming from. You aren't zoomed in enough on the cell for me to pull identifiable structures for you to see. But here's a basic gen bio lab manual:

This examines anthocyanin producing cells and higher resolution:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Microscopic-observation-of-anthocyanin-biosynthesis-in-pericarp-and-aleurone-layer-of_fig1_331252424 (this is in corn)

Nothing to worry about, your plants look good. I'd guess non glandular trichomes tasked with anthocyanin production.
Well damn, that's not only what I wanted to hear but a darned intelligent response, thank you!
 

Aapoo

Well-Known Member
Well damn, that's not only what I wanted to hear but a darned intelligent response, thank you!
Is there a way to get a thin enough slice for a sample to put under magnification at a higher resolution? My highest setting goes dark since it's longer and needs to be closer to the sample. More light doesn't seem to do the trick so I'm guessing a thinner translucent sample would be better? If I can take a tiny bit more of your time that is, @curious2garden . And thank you.
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
Is there a way to get a thin enough slice for a sample to put under magnification at a higher resolution? My highest setting goes dark since it's longer and needs to be closer to the sample. More light doesn't seem to do the trick so I'm guessing a thinner translucent sample would be better? If I can take a tiny bit more of your time that is, @curious2garden . And thank you.
Google staining and mounting plant cells
 

Beard-o

Well-Known Member
Is there a way to get a thin enough slice for a sample to put under magnification at a higher resolution? My highest setting goes dark since it's longer and needs to be closer to the sample. More light doesn't seem to do the trick so I'm guessing a thinner translucent sample would be better? If I can take a tiny bit more of your time that is, @curious2garden . And thank you.
I snip off a 1/2" piece of bud and a 1/2" piece of nearby leaf and place them under my microscope. Under proper magnification the trichomes should be relatively easy to look at.
As the whole plant approaches maturity, I'll snip off samples from several buds. Beginning at the top, closest to the light, and then take some from the lower buds. This gives me a good sampling so I can make a determination.
 
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