Signs of Seed Maturity And Plant Maturity

I have some plants that I want to get seeds from since I can't clone them due to family constraints.I have 3 females and one male plant so I let the male do his business and the white pistles on the females are turning a burnt orange to almost looking dead and dry. I know or at least I assume that, that would mean that some sort of pollination has happened given that the pistles are what capture the males magic powder. My question is what is the time period to which I can base 1 cutting off the buds to smoke and 2 giving the plants enough time to produce good viable seeds but also not giving me premature buds. I know the buds will be riddled with seeds and that that would mean alot of factors go down the drain with potency and all but do I pick the buds as if it didnt have seeds like when the trichomes turn amber or do I wait until I see seeds about to burst out of her like popcorn? thank you

did i stump ppl ?

Not sure what you are growing in but I wait until I see seeds dropping in the pots. then I chop and let her dry under some plastic to catch any seeds that drop. What I missed was how did you spread the pollen? Keepem green dirrtyd

i have a male plant growing next to my girls. i let the wind and the bees do there thing. I'm growing outside so maybe i should lay down something so i can see the seeds pop out or i guess just keep an eye out for seeds emerging from the seed pods. also is that true that when the pistles start to shrivel is when pollination has taken affect ?