Pull out your $10 DIY microscope and check out the lupulin glands. More info about the photos and how I took them...
Unripe glands start as cup shape:
![unripe.jpg unripe.jpg](https://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/data/attachments/184/184242-9725e3fb11d734f349165b51b0990aa6.jpg)
When ripe, the glands will be plump:
![ripe.jpg ripe.jpg](https://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/data/attachments/184/184243-7b0693c937e1a5e63487d852c08b20e3.jpg)
Hops can turn brown for any number of reasons so, this is not a good indication of ripeness. Here is a cone from a plant that was under watered:
![brown.jpg brown.jpg](https://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/data/attachments/184/184244-46d7d59f63a96eb4a9e5d3e998cd4197.jpg)
Unripe glands start as cup shape:
![unripe.jpg unripe.jpg](https://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/data/attachments/184/184242-9725e3fb11d734f349165b51b0990aa6.jpg)
When ripe, the glands will be plump:
![ripe.jpg ripe.jpg](https://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/data/attachments/184/184243-7b0693c937e1a5e63487d852c08b20e3.jpg)
Hops can turn brown for any number of reasons so, this is not a good indication of ripeness. Here is a cone from a plant that was under watered:
![brown.jpg brown.jpg](https://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/data/attachments/184/184244-46d7d59f63a96eb4a9e5d3e998cd4197.jpg)