When a bud on a plant has advanced to the size shown here, it is time to 'pull' that plant from the growing area and send it to a cooler to prevent it from opening. This particular bud is elongated, puffy and slightly white, indicating that it will open in only a few days.

Not all of the liles are sent to the cooler. Only a small percentage that are slightly ahead of time need go. They are pre-packed 8 to a tray so that they are ready to be cased and shipped immediatley upon retrieval.