Questions about Flushing and Darkness before Harvesting

Box Grower

New Member
Hello everyone, new member here. I've been using hydroponic grow boxes for the last five years. I have two Grow Boxes and one dry box. I have my harvests staggered to come in 1.5 to 2 months apart.I have always followed the method of flushing with plain tap water for a week before harvest, and two to three days of darkness just before harvest.

Now I've been reading that this isn't necessary at all and makes no difference in the quality and taste of your finished bud. I have a harvest coming in about three weeks and I need your expert opinions on this..

Please Help.
 

HydoDan

Well-Known Member
I usually use plain water the last two weeks depending on the plants needs.. Not a fan of extended dark before harvest...
Gives mold a chance to start...
 

chemphlegm

Well-Known Member
Hello everyone, new member here. I've been using hydroponic grow boxes for the last five years. I have two Grow Boxes and one dry box. I have my harvests staggered to come in 1.5 to 2 months apart.I have always followed the method of flushing with plain tap water for a week before harvest, and two to three days of darkness just before harvest.

Now I've been reading that this isn't necessary at all and makes no difference in the quality and taste of your finished bud. I have a harvest coming in about three weeks and I need your expert opinions on this..

Please Help.
I always followed the method on the bottles. Those reduced ppm's but never mentioned flushing so I didnt bother. Never had an issue, weed was delicious a few weeks of drying, that ppm reduction may be considered a flush. I did the dark thing and found it to be ridiculous, however withholding the last watering before harvest worked swell, I could feel the crisp in the product when trimming, and I liked it.
If you dont follow the hydro directions and do feed to the end/excessively for more vegetative growth at harvest I'd still consider the ppm reduction towards your ends.
 

Box Grower

New Member
Thanks for the information.. I do practice reduced reduced ppm's the last couple weeks. I have two Grand Ma's Secret Garden boxes.They work out perfect for my personal needs.I definitely grow more than i smoke. I usually average 110-150 grams of dry bud per harvest.. I think that's pretty darn good for such a small space. I only use FloraNova grow and bloom nutrients in my hydro systems... This seems to produce the best results for me..I've got purple kush coming in about three weeks, I'll skip the flush and dark this time and see what happens.
 

chillok

Well-Known Member
Nice grow boxes OP. I've practiced reduced ppm feeding straight to chop with Botanicare products, always watering to produce plenty of runoff (coco), last watering with plain water. I chop before lights on, but don't bother with extended darkness prior.

Another thing I've done is cut out switching to bloom nutes. I use grow with liquid karma and calmag all the way though.They don't need high P for bud development. Botanicare Grow is 3-2-4 which works very well through bloom. I use all at 75% recommended, then 50%ish last two weeks. N is reduced and they finish clean without P nute burn (from excessive P bloom nute feeding). Myths a plenty in my opinion. Happy growing
 

chemphlegm

Well-Known Member
Nice grow boxes OP. I've practiced reduced ppm feeding straight to chop with Botanicare products, always watering to produce plenty of runoff (coco), last watering with plain water. I chop before lights on, but don't bother with extended darkness prior.

Another thing I've done is cut out switching to bloom nutes. I use grow with liquid karma and calmag all the way though.They don't need high P for bud development. Botanicare Grow is 3-2-4 which works very well through bloom. I use all at 75% recommended, then 50%ish last two weeks. N is reduced and they finish clean without P nute burn (from excessive P bloom nute feeding). Myths a plenty in my opinion. Happy growing
Bravo!!
 

ANC

Well-Known Member
I find darkness more associated with not drying and curing your harvest in a dark place.
 

chemphlegm

Well-Known Member
I've used the organicare grow line by itself and also the bloom formula(dry ferts) alone. They both perform well and make great flowers.
I'll continue though, to use the grow formula into a few weeks of flower then switch to bloom, then skip the last feeding.
its still well fed at the end though, I can see un dissolved bits still in the soil.(waste maybe, but its negligible and the ends are successful.
 
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