I think this was based on one study published a couple/few years ago in High Times. It wasn't conclusive but the "testers" preferred the weed that wasn't flushed and there wasn't a noticeable difference in the mineral (salt) content of the finished product.
This has been studied in a few places that I'm aware of, and the results weren't opinions in terms of the resulting nutrients in the flowers. Here is a video to fast forward through where they describe in depth the scientific methods used with control plants and everything. They also get smokers to do blind testing at the end, for the
anecdote!
The tl;dr is this:
• No chemical differences between the plants.
• No statistical differences between treatments.
• Terpenes
increased with feeding vs. flushing.
• Plants tend to tightly control nutrient content of their flowers.
There's also
the research paper done for a masters degree in environmental science that demonstrated that plain water used in plants (in hyrdo no less!) showed no difference in the nutrients in the flowers at the end from the fed plants.
If I was using chemical ferts, I personally would probably still flush, which isn't scientific proof of anything other than it would make me feel better.
Growers should always do what makes them feel better! As long as you know the science as well.
I really appreciate the information InTheShed!’ I actually have come to the conclusion over a lot of research that ions are ions and the plants actually can’t tell the difference between organic or synthetic. If anything, I believe organic lend to higher levels of heavy metals in the finished product. I know many people talk about flavor differences but I believe terpenes are the origin of flavor in smoked flower, and I’ve had some of the most amazing tasting buds growing with 100% synth nutes. I also have been blessed to have access to some of the most incredible genetic lines imo. Copycat Genetix has been the genetic provider of my last 2 grows(including my current grow with ‘Babysitter’ and Exotic Genetix provided the genetics of my first grow. And I think genetics are everything when it comes to flavor and overall smoke experience
So much goes into what comes out in the end, including environment and lights, and very importantly drying and curing. But as long as the plants get what they need (and they don't need bloom boosters unless your plant is showing deficiencies), you're doing the best you can!
I think it should be noted that if I had the mobility I would absolutely give hi-Brix or living organic soil a dedicated attempt but I try to make the best with what I have and for now until physical therapy and my new treatment really start showing results I’m stuck with mixing nutes which has almost no physically intense involvement or doesn’t require cooking large quantities of soil in drums outside to allow the myc’s to build a beautiful symbiotic ecosystem for plants
If I had the time and space I would probably give LOS a shot, but I have neither!
with the PT, and may it work out exactly as you hope.
FYI,
@GeoFlora Nutrients is a sponsor here and they're the easiest nute regime I've ever used. Just add 1 cup of dry nutes to a #10 container (or more or less, depending on container size) with decent soil, and you're good for two weeks with just watering.
GF is definitely worth a shot, but I do think that feeding more/more often than their original feeding schedule is needed to keep the plants happy.
I’d give them a try but I do not have access to ph neutral water, in fact my tap comes out around 8.3 which is amazing for drinking but requires quite a bit of fiddling around to maintain optimal ph in my grow. I tried and failed with roots organics dry nutes due to my water . I plan to eventually install an RO water filter after this grow.
Since you're in coco, you can use a bit of sulfuric acid (cheap from an auto supply place - they sell it for batteries) to drop the pH into the correct range. Careful with that stuff though!
I have some priorities I need to focus on too.. my tent is only 60” tall, and I desperately need a taller one but being on a fixed income makes life a bit… hard. Ha
I am definitely open to anything and everything because I really want to explore the whole world of growing.. I was actually suicidal and hopeless before I got into growing and found cannabis. I had never smoked before I turned 50 and I’m 53 now and I want to believe I have a lot of life left
being disabled and old I’m so isolated but I really love the community here and how warm and welcoming y’all are. Thank you everybody
I am damn glad you found the positive effects that cannameds can have and are here to tell us about it!
I plan to eventually install an RO water filter after this grow. I have some priorities I need to focus on too.. my tent is only 60” tall, and I desperately need a taller one but being on a fixed income makes life a bit… hard. Ha 
great stuff before bedtime. I’m managing to get the ph to 6.1-6.2, plants are responding very very well and growing what appear to be optimally so far, but if I don’t feed at least once every 24 hours it begins to drift upwards, so I am finding best results with feeding 3 times per day while lights are on. This keeps the ph exactly where it needs to be imo. I’m scared of sulfuric acid but I know if it gets to be too much of an issue I’ll do something. One of my bucket list goals is to try running a RDWC but having tap at above 8.0 ph and 250ppm is scary because I can see it going very bad very quickly lol
. But I'm genuinely curious if and why some other growers do it. I totally admit just because something has been done one way forever doesn't make it the right way. But at the end of the day as we also have discussed, if it saves money and doesn't compromise quality or yield (and this part depends largely on time of chop) then why would a large company spend the extra monies...
