doing second grow, input on flower periods using LED lights highly appreciated.

Last post i made about same grow with different topic got few to no responses so hopefully i have better luck with this one.

5x5 tent
12 Bridgelux 3500k LEDS
average 32,000 lux at canopy
4plants
northern lights photoflower
currently in week 6 of flower.


I remember some people mentioning that usually people using LEDS often flower for slightly longer than they would need to under conventional lights. This grow is going infinitely better than my last and I just want to make sure i finish strong. I know most people say to just look for the trichomes to start changing then to flush. Should i expect the colour/cloudiness to change a bit later using LEDs? only thing is (if i do have to extend the flower period) considering the buds are supposed to fatten after flush and I'm in week 6, i feel like the buds are already quite fat.

The only issue I'm having so far is that i didn't have much air flow early until i got a new fan to replace old little ones at the start of flower. As a result, the colas are beginning to fall over one by one from the girth.

Next, kind of related but different. How do you guys use your loupes to check for trichomes? I find that

1 i have to put the loupe right touching the buds to actually see anything

2 the plants move and i move trying to get a view and i feel like it just isnt working. I can catch glipses but i would definitely like to get a better/easier look.

Finally any input on whether the plant is looking proper or has issues from someone with experience is also appreciated.

Thank you

It might take a little longer but no one can tell you how long. You gotta judge your trichs. I used to flush until a bunch of dudes on here told me it was pointless and dumb. Try a pocket microscope. They are like $10.

I see nothing but white pistils in that picture. Week 6 is 42 days and up....I have one strain, the fastest finisher I have, that I flower under BXEB 3500K panels, and I go to minimum of 60 days before I even consider the takedown...I see similar appearance at 40-50 days, so I'd say you have at least 3 weeks before they actually BEGIN to ripen....

Chip Green said:

I see nothing but white pistils in that picture. Week 6 is 42 days and up....I have one strain, the fastest finisher I have, that I flower under BXEB 3500K panels, and I go to minimum of 60 days before I even consider the takedown...I see similar appearance at 40-50 days, so I'd say you have at least 3 weeks before they actually BEGIN to ripen....

Click to expand...

Nailed it!! OP pay attention he highlighted begin. That means at least 3 weeks to finish growing then another 10-14 days usually to ripen. If you really want to flush, DON'T flush them until all the stigma(pistils) have turned reddish and receeded. If you think the buds are fat now wait till they are done! The last 10-14 days the buds will be trying to fall over as they put on more weight.

I encourage everyone to try things for themselves and see what works best I don't flush, it never made and change in my weed when I tried it. As you learn to grow and dry better your weed will taste better.

Chip Green said:

I see nothing but white pistils in that picture. Week 6 is 42 days and up....I have one strain, the fastest finisher I have, that I flower under BXEB 3500K panels, and I go to minimum of 60 days before I even consider the takedown...I see similar appearance at 40-50 days, so I'd say you have at least 3 weeks before they actually BEGIN to ripen....

Click to expand...

So based on what you're saying it seems like they have atleast 3 more weeks before they start ripening, then another 2 weeks of flushing(If i decide to flush)?

And you're saying these look pretty decent for how old they are?

Thundercat said:

Nailed it!! OP pay attention he highlighted begin. That means at least 3 weeks to finish growing then another 10-14 days usually to ripen. If you really want to flush, DON'T flush them until all the stigma(pistils) have turned reddish and receeded. If you think the buds are fat now wait till they are done! The last 10-14 days the buds will be trying to fall over as they put on more weight.

I encourage everyone to try things for themselves and see what works best I don't flush, it never made and change in my weed when I tried it. As you learn to grow and dry better your weed will taste better.

Click to expand...

So that 10-14 day period you are referring to is when i would flush if i decide to?

Also, what are your opinions/reasons on why to and why not to flush? seen people saying not to flush a couple times now but also heard a million times to flush especially if you are using synthetic nutes.

Finally, if my buds are going to be getting alot bigger, I know I'm going to have alot of issues with colas falling over since alot of them already are. What do you suggest in terms of keeping em all up?

CBDseeker said:

So that 10-14 day period you are referring to is when i would flush if i decide to?

Also, what are your opinions/reasons on why to and why not to flush? seen people saying not to flush a couple times now but also heard a million times to flush especially if you are using synthetic nutes.

Finally, if my buds are going to be getting alot bigger, I know I'm going to have alot of issues with colas falling over since alot of them already are. What do you suggest in terms of keeping em all up?

Click to expand...

Yep you got the time frame down.

As for supports, bamboo stakes are a classic, that I used for years. Some people tie string down from the ceilings. You can really use almost anything. I recently built mini cages for each of my plants. So they are individually supported and I can easily still move them.

As far as flushing goes, the biggest reason I don't flush is the style of perpetual grow I have it is a royal pain in the ass to flush plants before harvest. I have used a variety of different nutrients over the years, and never found any benefit when I would flush plants to test the difference. The key is learning how to grow healthy plants and then to dry them properly. Proper growing and drying combined with good genetics equals good tasting weed. I get nothing but compliments on my weed, and most people have no idea I grew it so they aren't just being nice.

Thundercat said:

Yep you got the time frame down.

As for supports, bamboo stakes are a classic, that I used for years. Some people tie string down from the ceilings. You can really use almost anything. I recently built mini cages for each of my plants. So they are individually supported and I can easily still move them.

As far as flushing goes, the biggest reason I don't flush is the style of perpetual grow I have it is a royal pain in the ass to flush plants before harvest. I have used a variety of different nutrients over the years, and never found any benefit when I would flush plants to test the difference. The key is learning how to grow healthy plants and then to dry them properly. Proper growing and drying combined with good genetics equals good tasting weed. I get nothing but compliments on my weed, and most people have no idea I grew it so they aren't just being nice.

Click to expand...

Is it okay to stab bamboo sticks into the pot? like it won't cause the plant to go into shock because of root dmg or anything?

It won't hurt anything.

Great thread! CBD, your plant looks great!

Thundercat said:

It won't hurt anything.

Click to expand...

alrighty sounds good. I'm probably being paranoid with the bamboo stakes but I'm getting all stressed out now that as they grow and without me having enough wind early i feel like everything is going to start falling over.