[FONT="]IMHO
Pre-harvest flushing puts the plant(s) under serious stress. The plant has to deal with nutrient deficiencies in a very important part of its cycle. Strong changes in the amount of dissolved substances in the root-zone stress the roots, possibly to the point of direct physical damage to them. Many immobile elements are no more available for further metabolic processes. You will start losing the fan leaves and damage will show likely on new growth as well.
The grower should react in an educated way to the plant needs. Excessive, deficient or unbalanced levels should be avoided regardless the nutrient source. Nutrient levels should be gradually adjusted to the lesser needs in later flowering. Stress factors should be limited as far as possible. If that is accomplished throughout the entire life cycle, there shouldn’t be any excessive nutrient compounds in the plants tissue. It doesn’t sound likely that you can correct growing errors (significant lower mobile nutrient compound levels) with pre-harvest flushing.
Drying and curing (when done right) on the other hand have proved (In many studies) to have a major impact on taste and flavour, by breaking down chlorophylls and converting starches into sugars. Most attributes blamed on un-flushed buds may be the result of unbalanced nutrition and/or over fertilization and improper drying/curing.[/FONT]
Sorry but I couldn't agree less.
WELL OF COURSE YOU WANNA STRESS YOUR PLANTS!!!
just like you stress it when you switch the light to 12/12, when you top/fim it, etc.
the only reason these girls make buds anyway is because they're stressed from not being pollinated.
by flushing your plants you're getting rid of excess nitrates and salts, and allowing the plant to used it's own stored nutrients.
When it starts to run out of nutrition during this "important part of its cycle" (I think it's called, um, DEATH?) it will know it's days are numbered and will bud even more.
and BTW have you ever smoked a bowl of sugar? let me know how that goes. Flavors come from terpenes and flavonoids, NOT built up sugar in the plant LOL.
Of course drying and curing are important. But just as important as flushing.