Advice on when to start flush in rdwc (pictures)

I guess this is somewhat controversial and there several thoughts on how and when to flush, but I am getting to the end of my first grow and am somewhat lost on how to proceed.

DNA genetics lemon skunk plants (breeder says they are ready in 50-56 days). Another member here grew the same strain and said he felt their estimate of 50-56 days was correct and not exaggerated.

Lemon skunk pics taken at day 49:


I also have 3 random bagseeds growing with the 3 lemon skunks, which aren't looking quite as mature as the skunks, this is a shot of one bagseed's top flower (the least "ready" of the 6 plants):



This pic shows both the bagseed and skunks together




Are the skunks ready to start the flush? How bad would it be for the bagseeds that aren't as mature as the skunks to have the flush started today? I am being advised against using Botanicare's Clearex for the flush, told I should just use plain pH'd RO water. Would love to hear more opinions.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Can post more pics later if these aren't enough (there's more pics in my journal sig from 2 days ago). Thanks.

standard flush is 1-2weeks prior to harvest, the amount of water to use is 3 times the container size for each pot. so 1 gallon - 3 gallons of water, 3 gallon - 9 gallons of water. You'll notice your larger leaves yellowing a lot more then they would be now. you know you cleaned the medium correctly if this happens

as for a flushing solution. none would be necessary in soil. unless you used a nutrient you weren't supposed to(Miracle Gro). Plain old distilled water is perfect for flush. Tap water contains trace nutes. but if you flush with tap 2 weeks prior and only feed distilled water the final week(what I do) that works too. for me at least.

Thanks for the reply and your advice Sxlstew. So if the standard flush is 1-2 weeks prior to harvest, I should be flushing now I guess.

I am using hydro, 6 five gallon buckets, RDWC connected to a 12 gallon igloo ice chest as the reservoir. I've been topping off with just RO water (with aquashield) for about a week now, this keeps the PPM around 1000 (about 1.5 EC). If I don't add 5 gallons water one day, PPM shoots up to 1200+. I noticed a little nutrient burn when I skipped a day of topping off.

I guess the plan is to drain everything tomorrow, and fill with just pH water and wait.

Based on the pictures I posted, am I on the right schedule? Or should these get another week of nutrients before filling with just pH water?

If you're growing in hydro run nutrients until harvest. The whole "your plant will taste like chemicals" is a myth. It's not a damn banana it's a flower. With that said, I do and have run several gallons of water through my waterfarm to clear up any salt build-up near the roots. Then I leave the water in for a day drain and replace with nutrient water. I've done the flush with hydro and not, literally no difference.

Thanks mr2shim, you seem to know what you're doing and I value your opinion on this. I keep finding different answers, some say flush for 2 weeks, others say it's not needed at all. I guess this is almost as controversial as the subject of removing fan leaves. Do you feed full strength nutrients all the way up to the end, or do you give them a reduced percentage the final week or so?

booort said:

Thanks mr2shim, you seem to know what you're doing and I value your opinion on this. I keep finding different answers, some say flush for 2 weeks, others say it's not needed at all. I guess this is almost as controversial as the subject of removing fan leaves. Do you feed full strength nutrients all the way up to the end, or do you give them a reduced percentage the final week or so?

Click to expand...

I do full strength until harvest.

soil is 2 weeks and hydro you can run up till around 2 days before harvest(hydro is more likely to use a flushing solutions but it's not necessary.) I haven't grown in hydro before so what I said is just what I've read in books