First post, first grow, few concerns..

First off I would like to thank everyone on this site. I've been reading for a while and almost everything I learned was right here, in the noob forums. After several unsuccessful attempts at bag seed and bubbleponics (Now I look at that lid and wonder who thought you could grow 6 in that!!) I switch to buckets with air stones which led to much better results,and now have 1 good plant 5 weeks into flower. It has 4 air stones each with its own outlet on a 4 outlet pump. It appears to be a slow flowering sativa, and I initially was using CFL's but decided they suck ass so I got a 600 watt HPS/ MH digital with a cool tube, and was I glad I did that. Lighting that thing off was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever witnessed. With my cool tube I can keep the room colder than with the CFL's, go figure. Anyway, she can only take 500 ppm right now before she starts spitting shit back into the water and crisping up.. I know with some strains/ plants they can't handle high ppm but 500 for mid flower seems a little low. I'm using an EC meter so that's with the 0.5 conversion, maintaining pH between 5.5-6.1 (allow the drift over several days), topping off with fresh, pH adjusted, slightly lower concentration solution (*USING PURE RO WATER [0 ppm] TO MAKE NUTES*). USING LUCAS, not at full strength obviously, its about 0-2-4 (and yes I know I can't really call it "Lucas" because its not at the right ratio, but it seems to work.) Humidity averages about 45%, temperature 77 air, 82 radiant DAY, 72 air/radiant night. Two circulating fans one at top cola oscillating one at bottom of cool tube. Keep the cool tube about 8" away from tops, do back of hand test ok. Just started using GH Floralicious at 0.5 TBSP/GAL. Been using SILICA BLAST at 1mL/GAL, AQUASHIELD at 10mL/GAL. RES. Temp never exceeds 24 C. Roots healthy... had severe nute burn issues at younger days but those are gone now.. NO topping, LST, or any type of training (I know I'm dumb). And I have Cal-Mag but I don't use it.. don't think she needs it although some of the lower leaves are dying off and crispy, I don't think the HPS can penetrate that far down and personally would rather get rid of some of those lower energy sucking branches anyway. Force flowered at 6" at day 16, now 34" tall. Plant is 53 days old, 37 days into flower. So I guess my main question is if the growth rate is normal for a strain like this at this time and if there's anything I can do at this stage to improve yield? If this is it I'll probably scrap this plant right now as too many resources have been wasted already. I have way more information if you need it, and here's some pics. (P.S. can't guage the maturity of the trich's yet I don't have a 30X micro)..

I have seen this before... 1st off, the plants look Great! Since you started flowering at 6", it still vegged for a little time before switching to flower mode. I would say your buds are about 7-10 days behind schedule. It does not mean it is a Sativa. I would not scrap these plants BECAUSE you have so much time on them allready. I would guestimate you have another 4-6 weeks left. Keep following your instincts, you are doing a Fine Job!

Good Luck!

Thanks so much dmoose. Looks like you have a lot of experience growing and if you say my plants doing fine then that makes me feel pretty good. I expected my buds would be about 2 weeks behind since I planned on flowering them with CFLs initially. My next grow I won't make that mistake, I got a 600 watt MH conversion bulb itching to be fired off... Thanks again man!! (Once I figure out how this + rep thing works I'll use it..)

Your Welcome! If I were you, I would set up those CFL's in another area for seeds/clones/veg/Moms. Having a Perpetual Garden, with plants ready to go into 12/12 as soon as you harvest, will give you a couple more harvests each year. Take clones from the plants going into 12/12 and veg them while their Moms Flower, and repeat! Good Luck!