Hey bro, it's going well now!
I actually scrapped the grow in this thread, cut my losses, started again. Dutch Passion Auto Night Queen and Think Different.
I tried again with H&G base and additives, also bought some General Hydroponics Micro and Bloom as back up (thanks im4satori). Decided if the deficiencies showed up again with H&G base, will switch to GH - modified Lucas (Head 6/9).
The defs showed up again, same time, same pattern. So I switched to GH 6/9, running it with H&G additives (following H&G USA scheduele) - Drip clean, Roots Excelurator, Amino Treatment, Multizyme, Bud XL. It's worked out well...
I think I know what the problem was now. I was running the H&G base too low, like 25-50%. That's too low anyway, the whole Autoflowers need low nutes thought line is old, but particularly with H&G base which has an unconventional profile. Its on the low side for Mg and P to start. I found three analysis after much searching, I've put the link to one in a pic. Can't be sure its accurate though...
I'm on day 62 from seed. During veg I ran 6/9 starting at 50%, moved up to 75% in over a week, 80% most of veg, 100% just before and throughout stretch. Just started week 5 flower, just introduced Top Booster. I ran 6/12 (Micro/Bloom, ml/g) for week 4, now 4/9 + TB. After TB will start Top Shooter. Will probs drop the micro more during Tops shooter.
Have mostly been running EC between 1.5-1.7.
I guess it was user error running H&G too low. But for now I think it's valuable for me to know both ends of the story - reliable numbers going in and how the plant looks. Can adjust former depending on latter. H&G base doesn't provide the numbers going in.
Anyway the additives are great! DC, RE both awesome. MZ and BXL, both great, can notice the effects. I'm sure the base is good too, but right now i'm rolling with whats working.
Happy nothing is going wrong now (finger crossed) and the things I've done (so far) have been right!! Seems i'm dialing in a H&G + GH combo!
Hope H&G line is working out well for you!
Pics:
Front 2 and back right = Think Different. Back left is ANQ. Back 2 would be about 1.4m if i hadn't bent them all down. Front right TD is about 95-100cm. Tent is too small.