To Flush or not to Flush

Nutrients
22

Starving the plant is a common used term that isn’t entirely accurate either.
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When you do read my comments in those threads, you will notice I describe the process, and it is more a reduction of nutrients available to the plant.

This “starving” is not really starving at all, if the plant is watered only without nutrients for maybe up to two weeks in soil, the plant is still feeding off what is available in the soil and in its leaves.

I also do mention the length of this low or no nutrients period is entirely dependent on how the plant is fed up to near the end of the grow, and for example, with the Lucas formula, Lucas does not recommend an actual flush at all. This where the “art” comes in and the skill of reading your plants to know when to stop giving added nutrients to the plant.

This “pH water only and no nutrients” might be as short as a day in a well tuned and maintained DWC system.

Happy growing,

MacG

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23

I agree completely with this, and I believe the problem is the ignorance of feeding, and understanding the metabolism and uptake of the nutrient in the plant.

Why try to fix a problem that you create when it’s so much easier to avoid having a problem in the first place.

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24

…I would still like to see real science behind withholding levels of nutrients that benefit taste.

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25

I’m hoping just the opposite…

I’m hoping some new growers actually do a comparison and give us their opinions, not more science

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26

I believe @latewood has some of that info about how the nutrients stored in the leaves, and by extension – elsewhere where chlorophyll is also produced and stored, and how this does indeed feed the plant for quite sometime. Much of the harshness comes from the chlorophyll itself, and this is just another way of reducing chlorophyll and nutrient salts from the plant’s tissues.

Hopefully he’ll have some time to stop bye and provide some of that information.

~MacG

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27

Actually this has been pretty much proven, in side by side grows.

It is a very common practice for almost every grower that has won cannabis cups around the world.

@Paranorman, “science” is just a way to test and measure things in such a way the data can be collected and compared.

Defined: Science – is a systematic method that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.

This is also sometimes called “the scientific method”.

More growers experimenting and comparing is a somewhat “scientific” process and could be described as “science” or certainly a part of the scientific method.

~MacG

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28

I’d love see any information on this, yes please @latewood, please join this conversation.

I have some information, but it does not agree with cutting nutrient strength. The information I have applies to chlorophyll being the main culprit of harsh smoke. From what I’ve read, interfering with the plants natural metabolism (i.e. under feeding), will infact start the breakdown process of chlorophyll, and infact, start the curing process essentially on the plant, however, chlorophyll would naturally break down even if you wait out those last two weeks, with proper harvesting and time.

Its almost like, sacrificing yield quantities for harvest speed.

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29

Exactly, this is what I have said, it is actually part of the curing process.

If done at the right time, no yield will be sacrificed. A shorter “traditional curing” can be done, maintaining more of the lighter terpene flavors that would be lost with a more aggressive curing process.

~MacG

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30

In my experience, the last two weeks are critical for density. :confounded:

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31

Don’t forget, when using the general term “soil”, this can be any numerous mixes of various components that can have varying degrees of holding on to nutrients, as well as components that can continue to break down into available nutrients for the plant.

Again, the way you grow it will have a significant impact on how much or if you’d need to do any “flushing” at all.

For some, they might need two weeks, many others will need much less, maybe a week or less.

It should also be mentioned that this general use of the term “flushing at two weeks before harvest”, this doesn’t mean you flush everyday for the following two weeks.

Yes there is a lot of confusion out there because of information passed around in layman circles without a complete understanding of what is actually being done and/or how to do it.

I agree:[quote=“Aquaponic_Dumme, post:23, topic:6432”]
Why try to fix a problem that you create when it’s so much easier to avoid having a problem in the first place.
[/quote]

But cash croppers tend to always max out their nutrients to get as much volume as possible.

I also agree, I prefer quality over quantity, but when done right, there is no reason you can’t have both.

I do use only pH’ed water in my DWC the last day, or maybe as much as 3 days of the grow.

This is pretty much when the plant is entirely done, even with a proper amount of nutrients, much of the plant will already be showing signs of senescence, this is certainly when you want to start the curing process.

~MacG

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32

You mix your own nutrients? As in make your own solution?

33

Yes sir, I do indeed

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34

That’s hard core bro! I have minor in chemistry, and wouldn’t even attempt it.

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35

@Blountville,
Here you go, man.

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36

I agree long time grower. I use minimal amount of nutrients. I let the grow of the plant dictate what i do. Maintain ph. With the right nutrients. A ttt.

37

I tried… I couldn’t resist

…sorry

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38

I nevery understood why anyone would try and force feed the plant by overfeeding. Healthy uptake for maximum growth, is controlled by the metabolic rate, proper lighting and proper mix of feed, and not the concentration of heavy feedings.

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39

I have 2 wht widow in soil starting flowering tomorrow I will tag them flushed and not flushed will trim and cure and post findings

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40

Can’t wait for the results!!!

41

Curing i like the humidity at the first couple of days at 55 to 60 then drop around 50 to 45 i use a humidifier and one dehume one fan on as well for circulation …