The first part of the FLUSH
PROCESS is to stop any further intake of nutrient elements via what the plant is drinking , through the xylem , and replace it with plain water .”
is chemical flushing necessary ?
“
The first part of the FLUSH
PROCESS is to stop any further intake of nutrient elements via what the plant is drinking , through the xylem , and replace it with plain water .”
It is heavily debated that using a flushing agent to help clean your plants of any unwanted chemicals is a pointless exercise , and that using water can be just as effective . There tends to be strong , differing opinions on this topic , depending on who you talk to . In an effort to settle the matter , let ’ s look at what flushing agents do to help determine if they hold an advantage over water . Starting with the basics , most people that grow hydroponically want to produce the biggest and best crops possible in the shortest amount of time . To do this , there is normally a chemicalrich nutrient feeding solution used to support and feed the rapid growth of hydroponic plants . While these nutrients are a vital part of producing such crops , they can often leave unwanted chemical traces within the plants . These traces can manifest themselves in the plant as a chemical-like taste , smell , or color . To remove these unwanted effects , most hydroponic growers , whether hobbyists or commercial , will flush their plants . This flush is intended to clean the plant of the unwanted chemicals that may still be stored within the plants .
FIRST , A LITTLE BIOLOGY Most fruit- or yield-producing plants have a vascular system . The vascular system of the plant is what takes the nutrients and water around the plants via the roots ( considered the start of the vascular system ) and feeds the entire plant , including the leaves , to fuel the photosynthesis process . This , in turn , helps the fruits to develop along with the overall growth of the plant . The vascular system also transports starches , sugars , and nutrients absorbed by the plant around the whole structure , including the fruits . As the plant ’ s vascular system transports these vital sugar and nutrients around the plant , helping it to grow strong and healthy , it deposits the
132 Maximum Yield USA | February 2017