A few questions, if you don't mind.
Said and done, for my own personal record book:
-How pleased would you say that you are with the gradual and minimal flushing method?
-Did you notice that your buds were denser than previous grows on a level that transcends genetics?
-Do you notice any difference in the "greenness" of taste, not related to flush time? Chemmy/Fert tastes?
-Will you be using this method again?
-Has your perspective on what it takes to obtain quality medicine changed?
And, the real question of the hour:
-After trying both methods, do you personally think that it is necessary to straight-flush a healthy marijuana plant, in order to obtain ripe flowers with a smooth and pleasant taste? (I think we both know the answer here, but I would like to hear your take on it.
-Very pleased. In fact I credit the quality of my crop to this more sensible method.
-I believe density is largely determined by genetics. Many argue that temperature and humidity play a huge role, and they do, but without genetics, you can't miracle density on them. The buds are dense, but I don't have a true sense of their density until further in the cure. I am very satisfied with their density, though. I've grown rocks before, so I'm no stranger to density. These probably aren't as dense as the Ghost nugs that appear early in my journal, but it's better overall weed hands down than the Ghost.
-Taste is everything here. This is the best tasting bud I've ever grown/smoked, and it can't be because of a change in nutes...so it must be the way the nutes were used. It has a very sweet, caramel roast front with a stinging, medicine, numbing after effect. The taste is so extraordinary, I regret not taking a batch to the Cup. Even among the best of the best growers there, I would have been confident and proud to smoke my stuff around... and I credit it to the more advanced flush method. There was no grassiness to speak of. What little chlorophyll remained dried up nicely in hang week. Absolutely no chem/fert taste. Just pure sweetness and love. I wish I could give you a hit over the internet.
-There is no other method of finishing a crop now.
-Yes! No abrupt flushes! Lol.
-The answer to the last question is: I think striking a balance between straight flush and no flush at all (which is exactly what that gradual draw down is) is def the way to go. I think the modern theorists are right. A harsh flush doesn't help. Keep the plants alive as they ripen. If it makes sense with all other flowering/fruit-bearing plants, it makes perfect sense for cannabis.