Budding Seems Stalled

I've tried searching for info on this on the web, but come up empty. This is my first grow and I've got some Durban Poison in a grow tent from seed I got from a bank. It's been in the bud stage for at least 90 days now (I think longer, but I've lost track) and the buds don't seem to be finishing. The bank said 8 weeks flowering period, I'm certainly well past that. I would have expected them to fatten up, but they're still pretty lean. Trichromes are clear. I started with 12 hours light, then cut back to 10 based on some reading I did. The tent is in my basement and it being winter here, it's about 60-70 degrees and dry. The plant seems healthy, although I notice now the leaves are beginning to dry out (though the plant has plenty of water). I thought they were reaching maturity a few weeks ago, so I started flushing. I'd like to wrap this up so I can begin to cure and allow access to my basement again. I'd really appreciate some suggestions on how to finish this. I'm not sure if I should give it more/less light, nutrients, heat?? Any help is greatly appreciated.

What type light?

hotrodharley said:

What type light?

Click to expand...

it's a 250 HPS. The person I bought the tent from said it's enough wattage for the size tent I have which is on the small side, but I don't know....it did fine in veg

Statesboro said:

it's a 250 HPS. The person I bought the tent from said it's enough wattage for the size tent I have which is on the small side, but I don't know....it did fine in veg

Click to expand...

You probably want to upgrade to a 400 or 600 hps. More lumens per square ft. translates to bigger buds. Also you need to get a bud swelling product. These are typically used in the last two weeks of flowering, but you might also want to research the strand you are growing because it just might not be a high yielder.

If fed properly flushing is completely unessary. It some cases it can hurt. The plant needs nutrients to finish flowering. You are relying on stored nutrients that you have no way of knowing what amount is available.

i would taper off my nutrient strength, down 25%. This way food is available and it will leach any excess left over.

Thanks for all the help, I'll try bumping up the nutes again, I don't think it's worth it to replace the bulb (it's brand new) at this point. But if any of you feel strongly that I should, please say so. I've come this far, I want to finish this right.

Statesboro said:

Thanks for all the help, I'll try bumping up the nutes again, I don't think it's worth it to replace the bulb (it's brand new) at this point. But if any of you feel strongly that I should, please say so. I've come this far, I want to finish this right.

Click to expand...

I can't stress upgrading the bulb enough. I started with cfls, upgraded t a 400w hps and still was not getting the yields or the density I wanted so a friend of mine was like just get a 1000w and be done with it. I did just that and saw a drastic improvement, but you will have to keep an eye on your temps as the 1000w gives off a substantial amount of heat. So have a good fan or two and make sure you have good airflow. Trust me dude this investment will pay off in the long run. Good luck!

Cap K said:

I can't stress upgrading the bulb enough. I started with cfls, upgraded t a 400w hps and still was not getting the yields or the density I wanted so a friend of mine was like just get a 1000w and be done with it. I did just that and saw a drastic improvement, but you will have to keep an eye on your temps as the 1000w gives off a substantial amount of heat. So have a good fan or two and make sure you have good airflow. Trust me dude this investment will pay off in the long run. Good luck!

Click to expand...

My ballast can take the 400w HPS, so I think I wll.

Thanks again for your help

what kind of nutes are you using and how much?