When to stop giving ferts

[Captain Sternn]

I've got a couple of autos growing outdoors. Neither has gotten astonishingly big but both are stacked pretty well and still growing fatter. I'm in my 3rd year, I've tried autos each year with results ranging from dismal to unsatisfactory. This year, these two, could be the breakout year. They are on Day 80, breeder says 90-ish iirc, showing no sign at all of fading, and still growing plumper by the day. I just came in from pulling buds open to check for pm, rot, etc. and glad to say no sign of that. Lots of fresh healthy bud babies down in there in line to blow up.

So I guess my question relates in a way to flushing. I don't have strong beliefs good/bad either way, I do try to cut off ferts in photos lets say 30-21 days before chop. I'm trying to figure out if I should give these guys ferts again, that's all. Again, Day 80 but zero sign of fade and new growth coming on down deep. I'm thinking ferts are ok, seems like these guys may go a little long on days, and I could always reduce strength of what I give to say 75% +/-.

These plants have the tightest bud I've grown and I'd really like to get these to the jar in due time, and check off an achievement box. I'm watching real close for all the crap that snatches your victory away just before you get to the finish. Pests, rot, pm, my past experience is, once the buds are on the battle begins. Right now it's so far so good, ferts or no what say you auto growers ?

This years grow photo wise will come out ok it seems but certainly has not been what I wanted for this season. Problems at the start held everything back but if I get these guys in I'll have sufficient reason to feel ok about the whole thing.

 

[Psychobilly]

I've got a couple of autos growing outdoors. Neither has gotten astonishingly big but both are stacked pretty well and still growing fatter. I'm in my 3rd year, I've tried autos each year with results ranging from dismal to unsatisfactory. This year, these two, could be the breakout year. They are on Day 80, breeder says 90-ish iirc, showing no sign at all of fading, and still growing plumper by the day. I just came in from pulling buds open to check for pm, rot, etc. and glad to say no sign of that. Lots of fresh healthy bud babies down in there in line to blow up.

So I guess my question relates in a way to flushing. I don't have strong beliefs good/bad either way, I do try to cut off ferts in photos lets say 30-21 days before chop. I'm trying to figure out if I should give these guys ferts again, that's all. Again, Day 80 but zero sign of fade and new growth coming on down deep. I'm thinking ferts are ok, seems like these guys may go a little long on days, and I could always reduce strength of what I give to say 75% +/-.

These plants have the tightest bud I've grown and I'd really like to get these to the jar in due time, and check off an achievement box. I'm watching real close for all the crap that snatches your victory away just before you get to the finish. Pests, rot, pm, my past experience is, once the buds are on the battle begins. Right now it's so far so good, ferts or no what say you auto growers ?

This years grow photo wise will come out ok it seems but certainly has not been what I wanted for this season. Problems at the start held everything back but if I get these guys in I'll have sufficient reason to feel ok about the whole thing.

Honestly, I'm not sure if them being an Auto matters, but in terms of making sure they get a decent flush you have some options:

If the resin isn't near where you want it to be, you can totally give them a little boost. From what I've read, and my experience, you can do a flush in like 10 to 14 days. And being outside where you have rain hitting them, that normally is all the flushing I need to do really. But if it's been dry in your area, just make sure to give them nothing but water when they start getting the color of your liking. Personally I let my plants get about 30% amber before I pull them, as I want some CBN in there, so I have no problem leaving them outside for an extra week or two.

I do have a product called "Sugar Daddy" from TechnaFlora, which is what I've been using for a few years now, and you actually give them a super dose of that about 10 days before harvest. Thus far I haven't had any issues, and have had good results.

I think the main part is going to be making sure you give extra water once you start seeing the resin change to whatever color you're looking for. New Growth and buds plumping is a good sign, and I don't honestly pay much attention to how long a strain is "supposed" to finish up within a given number of day. I use a Jeweler's Eye, or a scope from the phone, so look at the resin. It's probably why I don't ever mention how many days something has been in flower in my journal LOL, I don't use that info at all, I look at the resin because in my opinion, that's the most accurate way to tell when something is actually ready.

Hope that helps

 

[Jewels]

Sometimes I eat when I need energy, even though what I needed was sleep.

Thinking, after 80 days, Nitrogen requirements gotta be less than %90 of what they once were.

What media are you growing in ?

 

[Captain Sternn]

Sometimes I eat when I need energy, even though what I needed was sleep.

Thinking, after 80 days, Nitrogen requirements gotta be less than %90 of what they once were.

What media are you growing in ?

They are in soil. I agree I don't think there's a great need for N at this point, if I gave them anything it would be 10-52-10. They are actually bumping along pretty good as it is, with no sign of deficiency or fading, so LITFA is probably just fine also.

 

[Gentlemancorpse]

Im of the opinion that you should feed right to the end, though definitely easing up on the N. But ive never seen a single scientific paper that suggests flushing helps. A few years ago I emailed a bunch of companies that make flushing products to ask if they had any research to back up their claims, and everyone of them said "we're in the process of compiling the data, we will let you know as soon as its available!" And then they never did. And my personal experience is it makes no difference and if anything can hurt yield and potency to cut off feeding too soon.

 

[Jewels]

bumping along pretty good as it is, with no sign of deficiency or fading

Seems like the more dirt I put in the mix, the longer the green sticks around.

With local alkaline soil and hard water on tap , I found I could get into trouble if I stopped feeding altogether.
I can lock out a plant by simply watering it.
Humic, Fluvic, and citric acids are my geriatric elixirs.

Yet, like you said, you got it this far doing what you're doing.
Put your feet up and enjoy the success !

 

[Captain Sternn]

Im of the opinion that you should feed right to the end, though definitely easing up on the N. But ive never seen a single scientific paper that suggests flushing helps. A few years ago I emailed a bunch of companies that make flushing products to ask if they had any research to back up their claims, and everyone of them said "we're in the process of compiling the data, we will let you know as soon as its available!" And then they never did. And my personal experience is it makes no difference and if anything can hurt yield and potency to cut off feeding too soon.

It may very well be too soon, to look at them they're not thinking about anything but bulking up. Looking at the trichs they're not ready too many clear still.

I'm glad you weighed in. I have always been over conservative with feeding. I promised myself this year I would push the nutes harder and I have been with no trouble from it as yet. I don't see me ever buying flush products it just seems counter productive, and that money could go to things like fighting pests and infections, or improving my soil biome.

 

[Jewels]

"we're in the process of compiling the data, we will let you know as soon as its available!

I was looking closely at a Flushing product. It seemed a lot like 'pH Up'

You're hear buy lines to the effect of 'forcing the plant to use up its nutrients'
- yeah
Water that thing at 10 pH and it's not going to be absorbing a lot of nutrients

 

[Captain Sternn]

Yet, like you said, you got it this far doing what you're doing.
Put your feet up and enjoy the success !

LOL yes and jittery, afraid of face planting in sight of the finish line. Thank you for offering your insight I appreciate that you took the time.

 

[Captain Sternn]

Water that thing at 10 pH and it's not going to be absorbing a lot of nutrients

I'm lucky the soil here is balanced, I have never checked on the water, and I'm very grateful for not having to fight that fight for just that reason.

 

[Psychobilly]

Im of the opinion that you should feed right to the end, though definitely easing up on the N. But ive never seen a single scientific paper that suggests flushing helps. A few years ago I emailed a bunch of companies that make flushing products to ask if they had any research to back up their claims, and everyone of them said "we're in the process of compiling the data, we will let you know as soon as its available!" And then they never did. And my personal experience is it makes no difference and if anything can hurt yield and potency to cut off feeding too soon.

I have now compiled data showing why leaving my plants out in the rain works so well

 

[Amarok]

Im of the opinion that you should feed right to the end, though definitely easing up on the N. But ive never seen a single scientific paper that suggests flushing helps. A few years ago I emailed a bunch of companies that make flushing products to ask if they had any research to back up their claims, and everyone of them said "we're in the process of compiling the data, we will let you know as soon as its available!" And then they never did. And my personal experience is it makes no difference and if anything can hurt yield and potency to cut off feeding too soon.

There was an American university study linked on ICmag maybe 5 or 6 years back that debunked flushing.

I always think of flushing like starving a cow or pig before slaughter. It doesn't make sense to me. I want it fat and happy when it goes under the knife. I don't care about faded leaves with pretty colours, I throw that stuff away anyway.

How do you flush in no-till? Some folks say that's some of the best tasting and smelling weed around and it eats until the very end.

 

[Psychobilly]

Leaves turn colors when they don't have nutes ?? I mean, I know the yellow from them eating up the rest of what's stored in a shade leaf, but.... Most of the color I see is generally from it being cold.

 

[Gentlemancorpse]

Leaves turn colors when they don't have nutes ?? I mean, I know the yellow from them eating up the rest of what's stored in a shade leaf, but.... Most of the color I see is generally from it being cold.

There is a variety of reasons for the color change... cold, genetics, nutrient deficencies all can play a role

 

[Captain Sternn]

I was due to feed again I've had to work around some rain, and I like to make sure there's some drying time. So I was able to get feeding in this morning and I included my wee cheeses in that, I find myself gravitating toward the quit when it's hanging upside down somewhere camp.

 

[Chunky Stool]

It may very well be too soon, to look at them they're not thinking about anything but bulking up. Looking at the trichs they're not ready too many clear still.

I'm glad you weighed in. I have always been over conservative with feeding. I promised myself this year I would push the nutes harder and I have been with no trouble from it as yet. I don't see me ever buying flush products it just seems counter productive, and that money could go to things like fighting pests and infections, or improving my soil biome.

Organic soil can be tricky -- especially if your pots are relatively small (less than 30 gals).
Runoff should be avoided because you're flushing out the good stuff with each watering.
But when it's hot, it is hard to give them enough water to get through the day without watering multiple times.

I've been experimenting with DIY grow boxes (sub-irrigated planter) and the results are encouraging.

 

[Psychobilly]

There is a variety of reasons for the color change... cold, genetics, nutrient deficencies all can play a role

I know nute issues can, and the cold which, I am OK with that, but the part that befuddled me was the fade thing. I haven't personally flowered anything in a tent before, and I give my plants nutrients until I run out, or they are going to get pulled within a week or so. This method has done nicely for me personally.

Amarok; when you flower out your run, can you elaborate on the fade? Or did I just answer my question whilst thinking about GC's comment? Like, is nutrition the reason for a fade you mentioned?

Lol sorry if that's discombobulated; I have NOT slept much.

 

[Jewels]

Amarok; when you flower out your run, can you elaborate on the fade?

Allow me

I don't care about fade

Sorry, Billy, the low hanging fruit was slapping me in the face.

Using the same nutes for Four years now-
4 gallon
Smurfzilla



4 gallon
Smurfzilla



Hydroponic
Smurfzilla


Lately, running with a 'fridgefull' of media,and citric acid: I no longer get colour fade


As a matter of course, I gotta put some Smurf in that bed.
,,, fortify my bro science with proverbial clauses, and a slew of and, if, or exceptions,,, 😜
🐰

 

[Psychobilly]

Sorry, Billy, the low hanging fruit was slapping me in the face.

Kinda makes me feel like Lipton really lol

But yeah I honestly had never heard of a nutrient fade before, so I was a bit puzzled on that one

 

[Mim Towls]

I keep reading this as " When to stop giving farts" and IDK why. Never stop.