Not trying to argue but i'd like to debate this topic a bit if ya dont mind.
Have you tried any double blind testing of flushed vs non flushed plants,if so what was the outcome ?
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Panhead.... I enjoy a good debate and welcome them.
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Yes, I have done numerous double bind style grows over the years. I've done all organic vs all chem, flush vs no flush, soil vs soilless, soil vs hydro.. and combos of all of those. I've always had to prove to myself - wheter something was true or not.
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I've found that providing some Nitrogen in the last few weeks - does not affect taste substancially - but does - just slightly. Most people, would not even notice..
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I prefer my plants to be green - up until the last couple of weeks; because healthy plants are less subject to plant diseases & pest attacks.
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When it comes to taste, I am quite picky - I don't just smoke buds - I savor them. So, I speak from repeated bong hits, joints and smaller pipe tokes.....always seperated by at least a few hours - to ensure both samples are accurately evaluated...
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I've found the best taste / aftertaste comes from the plants, that I let strip down the engergy reserves held in the fan leaves. Now does that cause some loss in yield - Yes. Was one a better high than the other - No - both were equal in affect.
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I've done the measurements time and time again - and truthfully - the difference was never more than a few grams per plant. Since, I keep only buds and cull everything else. Now for those who keep leaves and count them as weight - that sets up a false end yield in my book - as any plant can be pushed to produce more leaf - with more nutes. I'm just after the buds..... I donate all my leaves to a hash smoking buddy, who does the bubble bag thing - often.
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So, in my opinion the trade off is worth the small loss. By going this route, it ensures there are no stored nutes in the plant tissues.
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When heavy fertilizing is done with products like 30-10-10 or 0-50-10... etc... right at the end of the life cycle. These nutes cause an imbalance in the fluids, inside the plant. These super ferts can cause the plant to become so saturated with nutes - they actually displace water - start wilting and stop growing. I'm all against super numbered nutes for that very reason.
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Now it may be, that your last fertilization is being slowed / buffered by your soil - so the full effect is not kicking end prior to harvest. Different grow medium / mixes leach nutes at different rates of absorption. So, since I don't know your soil mix - I can not really say. But, all of this is just my opinion - from repeated tests - kept as close & honest as possible.
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As far at the No N thing - I have not had one person, in thirty years of growing, convience me - that providing no N in the last month - provides any advantages - at all. Now, they are quick to quote Advertising Statements - made by the Big Fert Companies selling this stuff - but none have proven to me - these companies are right. After all, we know what motivates them to break down NPK level into two or three parts - Grow, Micro, Bloom nutes equal more ... MONEY..... So, of course there has to be a reason why this is better.... Hmmm
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Just like your labeled bags of bud - the power of suggestion is Very Powerful to some. I once labeled three different small samples of the same Skunk # 1 (from the same bud) with different names. I labeled one, Skunk, the other NL / Skunk Cross and the last one Fat Bastard by Dutch Passion. The two guys I gave it to, all claimed the Fat Bastard buddage ( a name that I just made up ) was by far the best. Dutch Passions advertising is working.... LOL ...
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So, to anyone who has an opinion on this chime in and tell us why you believe one way or the other. Healthy discussion benefits us all....
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Keep it Real.... & never trust the Big Fert companies - they just want your money....
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