I look at trich colors - for me about 25% amber, mostly milky is my goal. However, some plants just don't follow the color plan with the trichs, so this shouldn't be a "be all end all" in my opinion. Even Cervantes is conceding this now. So... I also look for the size and swelling of the pistils as well as how many are dead/dying - and are they receding into the false seedpod? When the calyx is swollen, and the pistil recedes into the false seedpod, that is a big sign of final ripeness.
Also, where am I in relation to the target date from the breeder, and what other people have noticed when growing the strain? There is a lot of data out there on some strains.
After a few grows, you can really tell a lot just by looking at the calyx's and the way the buds are swollen, but that takes some experience to get down. Finally, when they are close like this, I take samples - sometimes daily, to see if I like the effect. Smell/taste, can't be determined without a proper dry and cure, but the effect of the high can, to a large extent. I expect the Deadhead to be ready in a week or so, not quite sure on the others, yet, as the signs aren't as clear with them yet.
