QUESTIONS ABOUT FLUSHING?!?!

[jtsik330]

Okay, so I've tried searching for the questions I have and still have not been able to find any info. BE GENTLE IF THE IF YOU THINK THE QUESTION is STUPID! HAHA
1. When you flush plant does that mean that the plant gets droopy and stuff from the over water?
2. Do you push the soil down to press the water out of the soil?
3. I poured 5 gallons of soil into a 3 gallon pot of soil in an attempt to flush the plant? I understand StinkyAttic says use 3x the amount of soil so that mean I should've used 9 gallons of water?Correct? I just felt like it was so much water and have never performed a flush before.
4. Can a plant in flower get flushed?


My ph went in at 6.8 and it came out at about 6.0 . However the plant is showing some serious burns and I'm assuming it is due to this?

I'm gonna think of some more questions I'm sure but anyone that can help!! Feel freeeeee:thumbsup:

jtsik330 Reviewed by jtsik330 on 02-03-2010. QUESTIONS ABOUT FLUSHING?!?! Okay, so I've tried searching for the questions I have and still have not been able to find any info. BE GENTLE IF THE IF YOU THINK THE QUESTION is STUPID! HAHA 1. When you flush plant does that mean that the plant gets droopy and stuff from the over water? 2. Do you push the soil down to press the water out of the soil? 3. I poured 5 gallons of soil into a 3 gallon pot of soil in an attempt to flush the plant? I understand StinkyAttic says use 3x the amount of soil so that mean I should've Rating: 5

[jtsik330]

Okay, so I've tried searching for the questions I have and still have not been able to find any info. BE GENTLE IF THE IF YOU THINK THE QUESTION is STUPID! HAHA
1. When you flush plant does that mean that the plant gets droopy and stuff from the over water?
2. Do you push the soil down to press the water out of the soil?
3. I poured 5 gallons of soil into a 3 gallon pot of soil in an attempt to flush the plant? I understand StinkyAttic says use 3x the amount of soil so that mean I should've used 9 gallons of water?Correct? I just felt like it was so much water and have never performed a flush before.
4. Can a plant in flower get flushed?


My ph went in at 6.8 and it came out at about 6.0 . However the plant is showing some serious burns and I'm assuming it is due to this?

I'm gonna think of some more questions I'm sure but anyone that can help!! Feel freeeeee:thumbsup:

EDIT: I just went through StinkAttic's sticky for flushing and realized that he did not say to pour 3x the amount of soil you have I read that somewhere else. I still would like to know if this is accurate amount of water though for a flush.

[maro69camaro]

EDIT: I just went through StinkAttic's sticky for flushing and realized that he did not say to pour 3x the amount of soil you have I read that somewhere else. I still would like to know if this is accurate amount of water though for a flush.

im sure everyone has there own way they do it but at about 1 1/2-2 weeks left i just water with ph water. seems to do the job just fine. i dont like the idea of drowning the roots.

[Ocotillo]

I'll try to field some of these queries since the Elders handle bigger more worldly issues. Perhaps one will chime in if I'm off base;
1, If the plants do get "droopy and stuff" they'll bounce back. If you don't fix the PH they could die or just be very lame. Allow the soil to get mostly dry between waterings, flushings and leechings. Over watering is NOT putting too much water in, it's putting it in too frequently is what's bad.
2, I think you should NEVER push the soil down like a sponge. It could tear the roots. Just let them drip and drain well.
3, Flush is what you did and Leech is to run 3x the volume of water through the pot. I beleive the only one who can tell you when you've flushed enough is your soil. The runoff PH will tell you. You go in steps and in between let your soil dry out like a normal watering cycle. Perhaps 2-4 days.
4, OK to flush while flowering? Dunno... :wtf: I don't know who said it's at 1 and 1/2 weeks to go, but still... Dunno. Seek the Elders and site givers, they have the knowledge you thirst for.

To search you need the terms, flush leech, soil Ph, runoff PH, etc.

In the Growing Info sub forum of Plant Problems you'll find Charts and Graphs, a few down you'll find some graphs showing where the nutes are best absorbed by plants and where they taper off and lock out. It's VERY important. Learn it, know it, live it.

GodSpeed, Doc Oc

[Rusty Trichome]

Looks like Ocotillo got most of it right.
1. Yes, a plant can be stressed by the flush, and they often get a little droopy. I use Fox Farms trio of nutes which is notorious for salt build-up, and I flush them all on the first of every month in both growth and flower stages. They get over it.
2. Never compact your soil on purpose. Time and watering will do that for you, but don't rush the process.
3. Depending on size, I "flush" with about 1.5 to 2 times the volume. The larger the pot, the larger quantity I use for flushing. (always use properly ph'd water)
4. If a plant needs a flush, she needs a flush. ...ya do what you gotta do. I will usually transplant about 2-3 weeks into flowering to get in her into her final pot, and will do a final flush just prior to that transplant. (letting the soil dry before the transplant so the rootball stays intact) If problems of salting or nutrient build-up are causing problems...a flush is better than additional stress and damage caused by the issues.
With flushing in flower (during the winter) you can time the flush to occur on a normal watering day, but be aware that flushing will keep the soil hydrated, for a longer period of time. (skip a watering or two till soil is back to 'normal') Watch humidity levels and stress while in flower.

If soil is taking forever to dry-out...more fans on higher settings, and more ventilation if possible.
Don't go 'flush-happy' and overdo it. Constantly wet soil will cause root rot and higher humidity can cause mold...so use common sense.

Also...stinky is a girl.

[frostedwonder]

No! Stinky is a Woman or a Queen but never a mere common girl.....:thumbsup:

[jtsik330]

THANKS FOR THE HELP GUYS!!

I ended up flushing one of the plants that I have and she looks way better then what she did yesterday however now i know why i should've gone with a smaller pot! The soil is still really moist but I guess it'll dry with the fans I got going.
Now for my lady in picture number 2 and 3, she was drooping terrible as well and last night as I was flushing the first girl I noticed what the run off was on the first girl and gave #2 a liter of water at 7.3 ph. Today she's Looking 200x better and not drooping much at all. I'm still gonna get a reading on the Ph runoff for plant #2 tonight!!

Looks like Ocotillo got most of it right.


Also...stinky is a girl.

My Apologies to Stinky for referring to you as a guy! I'm thankful for the work you do on the forums!

[Rusty Trichome]

Would make that my last flush for a while. You risk root rot when frequently overwatered.

[DreadedHermie]

I'll try to field some of these queries since the Elders handle bigger more worldly issues. Perhaps one will chime in if I'm off base;

Not sure what your recurring issue is with the "elders," but since you asked, I will try to help.

Allow the soil to get mostly dry between waterings, flushings and leechings.

Leeches are segmented worms; many forms are aquatic. They have been used for thousands of years for bloodletting. The term you should be recommending folks search for is "leaching." Leechings are conducted at the barber-surgeon's office on Thursday evenings, immediately following the Inquisition meetings.

Flush is what you did and Leech is to run 3x the volume of water through the pot.

This is incorrect. "Leaching" salts out of your soil is what you hope to accomplish when you flush. (Leaching (in agriculture, at least) is the removal of solubles from an insoluable medium.) Flushing causes leaching--they are not two degrees of the same process.

I beleive the only one who can tell you when you've flushed enough is your soil. The runoff PH will tell you.

This is also incorrect. The EC of your runoff tells you if a flush is needed. It also tells you when to stop running water through your pots. Measure your runoff as you flush, and when the EC is down where you want it, you're done. :thumbsup: You should not need to flush just to change pH values; proper pH is normally maintained by adjusting ingoing nutrients and water. You do check runoff pH to determine your adjustments, though.

4, OK to flush while flowering? Dunno...

Of course you can. Many soil growers insist that a final flush results in a better tasting product. Hydro growers do it, too. :twocents:

[jtsik330]

Not sure what your recurring issue is with the "elders," but since you asked, I will try to help.


Leeches are segmented worms; many forms are aquatic. They have been used for thousands of years for bloodletting. The term you should be recommending folks search for is "leaching." Leechings are conducted at the barber-surgeon's office on Thursday evenings, immediately following the Inquisition meetings.



This is incorrect. "Leaching" salts out of your soil is what you hope to accomplish when you flush. (Leaching (in agriculture, at least) is the removal of solubles from an insoluable medium.) Flushing causes leaching--they are not two degrees of the same process.


This is also incorrect. The EC of your runoff tells you if a flush is needed. It also tells you when to stop running water through your pots. Measure your runoff as you flush, and when the EC is down where you want it, you're done. :thumbsup: You should not need to flush just to change pH values; proper pH is normally maintained by adjusting ingoing nutrients and water. You do check runoff pH to determine your adjustments, though.


Of course you can. Many soil growers insist that a final flush results in a better tasting product. Hydro growers do it, too. :twocents:

What is the best way to find out the ph of the soil? I know that my terms aren't correct however I see how much my girl is drooping right now from all the water that i ran through her and its already been three days. Shes drooping insanse right now, Im thinking about buying the hannah red ph pen so that i can find out ph and adjust by water going on like you recommended. But is t that my soil just lacks in perlite???I thought the promix would let the water drain easy but now i am upset that I still didn't add 30%-40% perlite?

I know this is the basics guys I just really got to figure this out so that I can make sure if i overnute again I can take care of with the just a simple flush. So far for me its been a bit(ch