Late fLowering
Now is the time to reduce your nutrients. Many growers are
probably scratching their heads at that statement, but we are
talking about maximum flavor here and too much fertilizer is
a detriment to that end.You want your plants to tap into their
food reserves and convert their stored nutrients into flavorful
fruits and flowers.
Regarding nutrients, NPK levels with slightly higher phosphorus can help balance overall ripening. Those factors are obviously important in peak flavor. Many nutrients and supplements
are available for this specific late phase of your garden, and as
long as you don't overuse them, the increased essential oils and
even ripening will make your mouth water!
Sweetening agents should be limited to clear, highly available
carbohydrate products, as well as sea minerals. Kelp, humates
and other thick organics should be reduced or eliminated in the
final stages of flowering. Heavy organics might not have time to
break down completely before you harvest.
Pre harvest
If you grow with organic-based nutrients, stop feeding your
plants at least two weeks before harvest. Water often and always
use chlorine-free water. In the last week, you will need to rinse
your roots thoroughly with large amounts of water. Continue
passing water through the roots until the runoff water tests below 300 ppm. Keep the watering free of nutrients for these final
days for the cleanest possible end results.
For growers who feed with chemical nutrients, make sure you
rinse for at least one week before harvest. The same rules apply
concerning lots of water and low ppm. Some rinsing products exist
on the market that will chelate salts that have been left over or built
up in the roots. Once chelated, these salts can be rinsed away. Use
rinsing products for the first day or two, but then switch to plain
water (chlorine-free, of course) for the last few days.
A few more points
You will never experience perfect flavor if you aren’t giving
your plants high-quality lighting and an ideal growing environment. If your plants are stricken with mold, bugs, disease, excessive heat or nutrient deficiencies, carbohydrates alone won't do
the trick. Grow the healthiest plants possible, and the flavors
will flow
naturally. From
there you c an
start adding all
of the wonderful flavor-inducing supplements available
at your local
hydroponics
supplier. MY
Maximum Yield USA | September 2012
167