The Truth About Flushing

Wolverine97 · Mar 14, 2011

homebrewer said:
I know better than to get into a flushing debate . In my opinion, if you feel like your plants need flushed at the end to taste good, I'd take a critical look at how they were treated up until that point.

Oh man.... Don't hit the bee's nest... don't do it... don't... shit, it's just way too tempting. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Ok, here goes. I run a (technically) soil garden, using 5 gallon Smart Pots, and I'm currently feeding with the General Organics line of nutrients (which I'm very modest with), my plants are absolutely healthy from beginning to end (I do get a very slight fade at the end) with no over-fertilization, and generally no deficiencies (unless running a new strain, but that's another topic). In my mind, my methods are rock solid, I yield a very respectable amount for my given area, and my finished quality is outstanding (absolutely smokes anything at local dispensaries). I have a pretty sound understanding of our plant, and I've consistently (again, over a long period of time, many different nutrient lines) noticed that my flushed and well cured product smokes infinitely smoother than that which is not flushed and cured.

Perhaps a longer, slower cure could mitigate the need for flushing, but I feel better about smoking my product when I do.

There's about ten more pages worth of rant that I won't include because it's Monday, and I don't have the motivation, but yeah...

Illumination · Mar 14, 2011

Wolverine97 said:
Oh man.... Don't hit the bee's nest... don't do it... don't... shit, it's just way too tempting. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Ok, here goes. I run a (technically) soil garden, using 5 gallon Smart Pots, and I'm currently feeding with the General Organics line of nutrients (which I'm very modest with), my plants are absolutely healthy from beginning to end (I do get a very slight fade at the end) with no over-fertilization, and generally no deficiencies (unless running a new strain, but that's another topic). In my mind, my methods are rock solid, I yield a very respectable amount for my given area, and my finished quality is outstanding (absolutely smokes anything at local dispensaries). I have a pretty sound understanding of our plant, and I've consistently (again, over a long period of time, many different nutrient lines) noticed that my flushed and well cured product smokes infinitely smoother than that which is not flushed and cured.

Perhaps a longer, slower cure could mitigate the need for flushing, but I feel better about smoking my product when I do.

There's about ten more pages worth of rant that I won't include because it's Monday, and I don't have the motivation, but yeah...

do however you do it my friend...I have found it a needless step at the best...but hey whatever you find works for you go for it....botanically speaking it is detrimental but who is to say what "works best" for anyone else?

Namaste' :leaf:

Wolverine97 · Mar 14, 2011

Illumination said:
do however you do it my friend...I have found it a needless step at the best...but hey whatever you find works for you go for it....botanically speaking it is detrimental but who is to say what "works best" for anyone else?

Namaste'

Meh, I would say that heavy flushing for two+ weeks is detrimental, but what I do most definitely isn't. I've never had trouble regenerating a plant when I've needed to, so it can't be too damaging.

Biologically Incorrect · Mar 14, 2011

To flush or not to flush, that is the question, lol

riddleme · Mar 14, 2011

As stated earlier, purpose of the thread is not say you must one way or the other, but simply to put the truth out there and stop all the mis-information ie: there's nutes in my buds WTF when what there is, is actually unfermented sugars

I could care less if folks flush or not, just want everyone to know that not flushing, and drowning before harvest coupled with proper fermentation techniques will give em MORE POTENT BUDS

embry928 · Mar 14, 2011

stop and listen you will learn a lot from this guy. he taught me everything i know and i grow some sick plants. smoke reports coming after the cup from anyone that comes.

riddleme said:
As stated earlier, purpose of the thread is not say you must one way or the other, but simply to put the truth out there and stop all the mis-information ie: there's nutes in my buds WTF when what there is, is actually unfermented sugars

I could care less if folks flush or not, just want everyone to know that not flushing, and drowning before harvest coupled with proper fermentation techniques will give em MORE POTENT BUDS

bigman4270 · Mar 14, 2011

Wolverine97 said:
Oh man.... Don't hit the bee's nest... don't do it... don't... shit, it's just way too tempting. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Ok, here goes. I run a (technically) soil garden, using 5 gallon Smart Pots, and I'm currently feeding with the General Organics line of nutrients (which I'm very modest with), my plants are absolutely healthy from beginning to end (I do get a very slight fade at the end) with no over-fertilization, and generally no deficiencies (unless running a new strain, but that's another topic). In my mind, my methods are rock solid, I yield a very respectable amount for my given area, and my finished quality is outstanding (absolutely smokes anything at local dispensaries). I have a pretty sound understanding of our plant, and I've consistently (again, over a long period of time, many different nutrient lines) noticed that my flushed and well cured product smokes infinitely smoother than that which is not flushed and cured.

Perhaps a longer, slower cure could mitigate the need for flushing, but I feel better about smoking my product when I do.

There's about ten more pages worth of rant that I won't include because it's Monday, and I don't have the motivation, but yeah...

Hey Wolverine, just wanted to ask a question concerning the flushing debate. I use a modified organic/salt based(Jacks Classic/ Neptune's Harvest) and choose not too flush. With you running straight OG, why would there be a need to "flush" your plants. Isn't flushing to remove salt based nutrients from the soil so the plant uses up its reserves? I'm not being an ass or anything just wondering? Like lumi said, rock what works for you.

Peace

Big

Wolverine97 · Mar 14, 2011

bigman4270 said:
Hey Wolverine, just wanted to ask a question concerning the flushing debate. I use a modified organic/salt based(Jacks Classic/ Neptune's Harvest) and choose not too flush. With you running straight OG, why would there be a need to "flush" your plants. Isn't flushing to remove salt based nutrients from the soil so the plant uses up its reserves? I'm not being an ass or anything just wondering? Like lumi said, rock what works for you.

Peace

Big

I don't flush in the conventional sense of the word. Over the last two weeks I gradually reduce my nutrient strength until I'm at about 20% of my usual, the final watering is straight h2o. I always water until runoff, usually around 10%.

bigman4270 · Mar 14, 2011

Wolverine97 said:
I don't flush in the conventional sense of the word. Over the last two weeks I gradually reduce my nutrient strength until I'm at about 20% of my usual, the final watering is straight h2o. I always water until runoff, usually around 10%.

Ahh! OK now I get it.

Thanx

Wolverine97 · Mar 14, 2011

To clarify, I've never done a side by side, flush vs. no flush with the GO line. It could be that it's not necessary with GO, maybe I'll try it next round.

rasputin71 · Mar 14, 2011

Wolverine97 said:
To clarify, I've never done a side by side, flush vs. no flush with the GO line. It could be that it's not necessary with GO, maybe I'll try it next round.

I use GO (with pro-mix) and don't flush. I feed full strength to the end. I have fed with nutes one day and drowned for pre-harvest the next day.

Wolverine97 · Mar 14, 2011

rasputin71 said:
I use GO (with pro-mix) and don't flush. I feed full strength to the end. I have fed with nutes one day and drowned for pre-harvest the next day.

Good to know, I may try it out. Though I don't do the drowning thing. I let mine dry out prior to harvest.

rastadred22 · Mar 15, 2011

Wolverine97 said:
I don't flush in the conventional sense of the word. Over the last two weeks I gradually reduce my nutrient strength until I'm at about 20% of my usual, the final watering is straight h2o. I always water until runoff, usually around 10%.

hey Wolverine, why would u slowly cut bac on nutes at this stage? im asking because from my experience and observations most strains, during the last 2weeks, drink up twice as much nutes due to the fact that the plant puts on most of its weight and creates most of its potency a this time...wouldnt cutting bac on nutrients it needs cause the plant to take those nutrients from itself resulting in a def? wouldnt a def. in this most important phase result in a drop of weight and potency?

Wolverine97 · Mar 15, 2011

rastadred22 said:
hey Wolverine, why would u slowly cut bac on nutes at this stage? im asking because from my experience and observations most strains, during the last 2weeks, drink up twice as much nutes due to the fact that the plant puts on most of its weight and creates most of its potency a this time...wouldnt cutting bac on nutrients it needs cause the plant to take those nutrients from itself resulting in a def? wouldnt a def. in this most important phase result in a drop of weight and potency?

No, I get no deficiencies other than very slight nitrogen in the final week. My feeding schedule peaks during weeks 5-7 of flowering, from there I start stepping it down. I've always had great results, and I yield between .85-1 gram/watt. I'm happy with that, and the smoke quality.

rastadred22 · Mar 15, 2011

ahh i see...but still the plant is def. during the most important phase...i just dont understand the logic thats y im asking in hopes that i can understand....no insult to ur methods just trying to see the reasons behind y u do what u do....have u ever not flushed and tried out the buds>?

Wolverine97 · Mar 15, 2011

rastadred22 said:
ahh i see...but still the plant is def. during the most important phase...i just dont understand the logic thats y im asking in hopes that i can understand....no insult to ur methods just trying to see the reasons behind y u do what u do....have u ever not flushed and tried out the buds>?

Yeah, I've compared both ways a few times. I honestly get a much cleaner burning product with a "flush" than without.

Peak flowering is generally weeks 5-7, after that things taper off a bit whether I keep feed levels up of taper off, so... I get great calyx swelling and all of my trim leaves are still nice and green at the time of harvest.

rastadred22 · Mar 16, 2011

Wolverine97 said:
Yeah, I've compared both ways a few times. I honestly get a much cleaner burning product with a "flush" than without.
.

how could u kno the difference if you claim u have not actually done that?

Wolverine97 said:
To clarify, I've never done a side by side, flush vs. no flush with the GO line. It could be that it's not necessary with GO, maybe I'll try it next round.

idk man but i use a salt based fert. and i never flush! there isnt a difference as the only thing u are accomplishing is ridding of nutes in your medium...if u say your plants do not get def. and they stay green then all you have accomplished was getting rid of the nutrients in your medium. i think som eppl here have given u some really good info based on y u have come to that conclusion..i have yet to yeild nutrient tasting buds!....as nutrients where broken down into there simpliest elements and whilst moving through the plant further breaking down to feed the plant. i never flush and i never get harsh, snap crackle and pop buds...idk maybe u should do i side by side, i can garentee u will not see a diff.

Nitegazer · Mar 17, 2011

rastadred22 said:
how could u kno the difference if you claim u have not actually done that?

idk man but i use a salt based fert. and i never flush! there isnt a difference as the only thing u are accomplishing is ridding of nutes in your medium...if u say your plants do not get def. and they stay green then all you have accomplished was getting rid of the nutrients in your medium. i think som eppl here have given u some really good info based on y u have come to that conclusion..i have yet to yeild nutrient tasting buds!....as nutrients where broken down into there simpliest elements and whilst moving through the plant further breaking down to feed the plant. i never flush and i never get harsh, snap crackle and pop buds...idk maybe u should do i side by side, i can garentee u will not see a diff.

I'm going to jump in here to propose something that might resolve the conflict Wolverine and those who feel that flushing introduces problems at the end of the grow. As we all know, salt-based nutrients feed the roots directly-- ions from their dissociation go right through the root membrane. With organic nutes, the food feeds the microbes in the soil, which in turn produce the ions that feed the plant.

So, if you are an organic farmer, and flush before harvest, the immediate affect is to reduce the food availability to the microbes in the soil. These microbes hold their own stores of energy (nutrients), so they can burn through that for a while. This means the plant is not immediately starved, but experiences a more gradual drop off of nutrients.

If you fertilize with salts, particularly if you work hydroponically, the nutes go directly to the roots in the form of ions. If you flush the medium, most of those ions disappear immediately. Since the microbial life of the medium is less active (there are always some in the medium), the plant experiences a rapid drop in nutrient levels.

Wolverine97 · Mar 17, 2011

rastadred22 said:
how could u kno the difference if you claim u have not actually done that?

idk man but i use a salt based fert. and i never flush! there isnt a difference as the only thing u are accomplishing is ridding of nutes in your medium...if u say your plants do not get def. and they stay green then all you have accomplished was getting rid of the nutrients in your medium. i think som eppl here have given u some really good info based on y u have come to that conclusion..i have yet to yeild nutrient tasting buds!....as nutrients where broken down into there simpliest elements and whilst moving through the plant further breaking down to feed the plant. i never flush and i never get harsh, snap crackle and pop buds...idk maybe u should do i side by side, i can garentee u will not see a diff.

I said I have never done a side by side using the GO line of nutrients. I just started using that lineup last crop.

n00bGrower · Mar 17, 2011

Awesome thread Riddles... I'm subbed now. Also, subbing your other threads. Turns out I've been inadvertently "making it rain" since about week 6 of my current veg crop! Who knew?!?!?

The Truth About Flushing

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