What is the proper method for flushing when using Flora Kleen?

[ellz]

Greetings GWE community! I am getting close to harvest and wanted to know about using products such as Flora Kleen from General Hydroponics. The feed schedule calls for it to be used a week after the last nutrient feeding. However, I was wondering if it would be better to use it right before harvesting? Basically my thinking is as follows: Flora Kleen removes all excess salts and nutrient deposits from the mix. Wouldn't you want to do that at the very end so that any residual nutrients would be used up when adding pHed water? Or should I flush it of everything and then just give it pHed water from then on until cutting it? I also should note I plant on harvesting in stages because half of the plant is ready while the other half needs more time. Thanks for any advice and happy growing!

[Sheesh]

I'm watching this thread for comments ellz. I'm right at flush myself and my flora kleen is sitting there waiting for me to figure out what to do with it! If no one has any better advice, I'm planning in using it tonight or , tomorrow night then finishing the flush with a couple of ph water only feedings.I figure you want to flush everything at the end, even the flushing agent.

[Green75]

Use that flushing agent every ten day or so throughout the whole grow.. Last week or so of life use it every singleday and give till at least 25% runoff.. No need to rinse the product itself out..

[ellz]

Good info, thanks!

[ellz]

So you are using it to flush out between nutrient changes as well? Do you have to let it circulate for a few days between nutrient changes by doing that?

[Sheesh]

Thanks a bunch Green.

[DW2]

Howdy ellz, I use the FloraKleen according to the label directions. I use two teaspoons (10 ml) per gallon, let it circulate for three days, then drain and refill the reservoir with plain pH'ed water for three more days. As Green75 said, It can be used to prevent any salt build up during the growing period. How ever One uses the flush, I think that it is well worth the time and effort as it (in my experience) greatly reduces the curing time and smooth out the bud.
Good luck with Your grow.

[ellz]

DW2 it's a 10gal that I fill with 5gal. I can probably fit another gallon without it coming too close to the net pot but it will leave very little air space at first. However, with as fast as the plants are drinking the water, I imagine it would be okay because the level will drop quickly and allow more air to flow. What do you think?

[DW2]

ellz, If the water is WELL aerated, the gap between the bottom of the net pots and the water level is not as critical. I have been using two 2"X4" air stones with a dual outlet (127 GPH) pump for each reservoir. On my next grow, I'm going to use four 2"X4" air stones with a quad outlet (254 GPH) pump. I have been having to add new air stones about halfway thru the grow because the first stones get 'root bound'. I'm hoping the with twice as many stones, the roots will not 'bunch up' as much.

[ellz]

I am using a 4-way (254GPH) pump with four 2x4 stones and it works pretty good. The stones are pretty buried in the roots by the end of the grow but they still make bubbles.