Harvest question

[denverbear]

We know our first grow is almost ready to harvest soon...what are the indicaters that tell us when we should flush the nutes away with fresh water and how soon before harvest should we do this...we have read the books but appreciate the extra insite so we don't make any bad moves....

[TheReleafCenter]

We know our first grow is almost ready to harvest soon...what are the indicaters that tell us when we should flush the nutes away with fresh water and how soon before harvest should we do this...we have read the books but appreciate the extra insite so we don't make any bad moves....

Two great questions. The answer is going to vary a little based on strain/grower. In general, though, you want to start flushing when you reach 15/20 percent amber trichomes. A week flush before you finish is standard but we go two. Flushing your plants every week to two weeks during their lifespan doesn't hurt either.

Are you doing soil or hydro?

[Zedleppelin]

Flushing does nothing but starves your plants and effects yield. Ca, Fe, Zn, Mo, B, Cu, Mn are all immobile nutrients, meaning they cannot move from one part of the plant to another when there is a deficiency (which flushing causes), so in turn are not 'used up' when there is a deficiency. Why people spend 3-4 months caring more for their plants than themselves only to starve them at the end is beyond me.

[copobo]

I agree. we taper off at 600~700ppm. the need to flush is created by pushing too many nutes (imo, ymmv)

[canniwhatsis]

While flushing may starve the plant in it's last 2 weeks of life IMO I feel it helps the flavor of the finished product.

Yes I spend 4-5 months caring for my babies just to starve them,.... then I kill em by hacking em down,... then dehydrate em (dry and cure),... then they get ground up and burned!!!!! :bonghit: :D :stoned:

[denverbear]

Two great questions. The answer is going to vary a little based on strain/grower. In general, though, you want to start flushing when you reach 15/20 percent amber trichomes. A week flush before you finish is standard but we go two. Flushing your plants every week to two weeks during their lifespan doesn't hurt either.

Are you doing soil or hydro?

we are doing hydro and have learned an awful lot the first two plants for sure...

[SoCoMMJ]

Plants grown with chem nutes are likely to need flushing more than those grown with organic style nutes.

As you have seen, there are 2 distinct schools of thought on flushing. Do it, don't do it are the opinions.

We Clearex, then flush for several days before harvest. Honestly, our testers can not tell much difference from sample buds plucked while in full nute mode vs. tapered vs. flushed. We use Botanicare organic teas so the residual salts are minimal. Unflushed chem nutes do leave a metalic aftertaste in the final product.

I suppose we taper down and flush because the consumer expects it to be done, but if we didn't they could probably never tell. Saves me nutes, so there ya go :) we'll flush.

[ThaiBuddhaMan]

To Flush or Not To Flush?

This has been argued over & over again.
I used to believe you had to flush or it would end up tasting bad.
I don't believe that anymore.

You can't force the plant to uptake more nutrients than it needs too.
You can deprive it of nutrients.
A healthy plant will produce more than an unhealthy plant.

The reason I think many can tell the difference between chem-hydro & organic soil, is because during the grow the plant had more than just NPK in the soil, while many hydro growers only focus on the major nutrients (NPK) and forget about minor & micro nutrients, enzymes, beneficial bacteria, etc...

I still flush (water with plain water) but it's just so I can re-used my medium. There's still plenty of nutes available for the plant to feast on.