Motif,
Great JOB!
I didn't read the whole thread but the last several pages with pics speak for themselves. I will stick with FDD on this and say to keep up with the nutrient schedule for another 2 weeks. Flush for 7 to 14 or whenever most of the leaves are yellowing and dying off. If the leaves are turning it is because it is not finding nutrients from the roots, this means a smoother smoke
. Most of the time 7 days does it in hydro.
The hardest part is the last bit of waiting. Drying and Curing are the most important part. It takes time/experience to get it right. I cannot hang my plants, so I have a bud dryer. Its just a rubermaid with some pc fans, DIY carbon filter and drying racks inside. (NO HEATING ELEMENT). I dry for 72 hours in my dryer. Then 72 hours in closed paper bags. Then to the jars. IF after the first 8 hrs in jars they are too wet, I just put it in the dryer for 1/2 the day then back to the jars. Usually they are dry by the 7th and doing thier thing in the jars. Pack your jars loosley! burp for 20 min twice a day. Pull them out if they get to moist. If they are "just right" (takes time to get this right..LOL) then just turn them in the jar and blow into it a few times and then let it sit open for a bit. so:
1st week in jars burp twice a day for 20 min. Out of jar if too moist.
2nd week open once a day for 5 minutes or so.
3rd week I might open the jar 2-3 times all week
4th week, might open it once. by the 4th week of curing it should smell/taste BOMB!
Hope that answeres the questions you posed me. (by pm) Good job on the grow. Looks like you have perpetual in mind. Its the only way to go!!