Outdoor Flush / Water Only Time For Organics?

[MidgeSmith 1,314]

Hi,

 

I've had my Frisian Duck outdoors, but in a pot, since May.  First in a greenhouse, then the wilds and now back in a greenhouse since the start of October when the heavens opened.

 

The pistils on her little purple buds have started going red/brown in earnest now.  I'm not 100% sure when she will be absolutely finished and I am in no particular hurry.

 

Information about her usual finishing time is vague, of course it always is, but never more so.  Some sites say they start flowering at the start of October (I think they might mean finish).  Some say they are ready mid-October and some at the End of November. Even the breeder - Dutch Passions own website is vague saying harvest is somewhere between the start and middle of Autumn, presumably meaning around the third week of October (2 weeks time).

 

Quite a few leaves have yellowed and dropped off, but it is far from the majority, so I assume there are plenty of nutrients in the plant and in the soil. I am using Biobizz nutrients and have it reasonably dialled in I think.

 

All that said, I was wondering if organic outdoor pot-based growers bother with a flush?  If so, would you assume that there are about 2 weeks left and start to water without nutrients for the last couple of weeks?

 

I am torn between carrying on with nutrients as I have been and going to water only for 'the last couple of weeks'.

What do you think? Should I go to water only, carry on giving nutrients, get the microscope out and only go to water once I have the ambers coming on properly or Option X?

 

Midge

Edited October 6, 2021 by MidgeSmith

[KuJa 683]

From my understanding its the salts your trying to flush out from the soil with synthetic nutes. Organic based nutrients need time to break down in the soil and won't build up to a point of creating issues. I'm sure you'll get opinions from both sides. 

 

I don't flush biobizz and the taste and burn always comes out great. 

[DutchFox 1,752]

5 minutes ago, KuJa said:

From my understanding its the salts your trying to flush out from the soil with synthetic nutes. Organic based nutrients need time to break down in the soil and won't build up to a point of creating issues. I'm sure you'll get opinions from both sides. 

 

I don't flush biobizz and the taste and burn always comes out great. 

 

i agree

i see some yellow....but from top to bottom....

usualay autumm yellowing goes from bottum then up....

so keep feeding...and look at the trichomes

 

also....if its dry 24 hours....better put the plant outside...better sun ( glas takes a % away of the sun ) and better RH...outside the green house...

 

ps dutch passion foto strains and outside races...is not a very good match..... 

Edited October 6, 2021 by DutchFox

[MidgeSmith 1,314]

Thanks KuJa,

 

Yeah, I've read a lot of different opinions on it.  I have only stopped feeding indoors, when I know I am harvesting in a few days.  To be honest, that was only because I couldn't see any harm and didn't want to waste nutes.

 

I have only grown organically in soil recently and have to say I haven't had any problems so that's great to hear!

Thanks for getting the ball rolling for me

[MidgeSmith 1,314]

Just now, DutchFox said:

 

i agree

i see some yellow....but from top to bottom....

usualay autumm yellowing goes from bottum then up....

so keep feeding...and look at the trichomes

 

also....if its dry 24 hours....better put the plant outside...better sun ( glas takes a % away of the sun ) and better RH...outside the green house...

Thanks for that, yeah re: RH and direct sun.  Pity its such a heavy bastard to move, even when the soil is dry

Most of the leaves that have fallen - or I have plucked because they weren't really attached anymore have been towards the bottom.  So, I would add that there has been yellowing, it has been all over.

I will take the advice on the nutes, it's an easy path.

I might shift her back outside if my back will take it, though the RH isn't too different with the fan on and air coming through the vents, it would save some money. I wonder though @DutchFox, do you think she might be as well off on the heat-mat I have on in the greenhouse, bearing in mind the constant air-flow?  I was feeling good about myself giving her warmer soil

[DutchFox 1,752]

1 minute ago, MidgeSmith said:

Thanks for that, yeah re: RH and direct sun.  Pity its such a heavy bastard to move, even when the soil is dry

 

saves your back...

Most of the leaves that have fallen - or I have plucked because they weren't really attached anymore have been towards the bottom.  So, I would add that there has been yellowing, it has been all over.

I will take the advice on the nutes, it's an easy path.

I might shift her back outside if my back will take it, though the RH isn't too different with the fan on and air coming through the vents, it would save some money. I wonder though @DutchFox, do you think she might be as well off on the heat-mat I have on in the greenhouse, bearing in mind the constant air-flow?  I was feeling good about myself giving her warmer soil

 

a green house is more damp imho...but measure it for your self.....

a heat mat you can try...but give water at 21 degrees....in the morning is more effectieve maybe...

 

 

[the ferret 528]

never heard of this strain before. but i had a live chat many years ago with a guy called wally duck he was an Australian breeder of the duck strain ( because of the shape of the leafs) and he advised me against buying any of his strains if i was going to use them outdoors here in the uk. as he didn't think they finish in time before the bad weather set in. 

[MidgeSmith 1,314]

1 hour ago, DutchFox said:

 

a green house is more damp imho...but measure it for your self.....

a heat mat you can try...but give water at 21 degrees....in the morning is more effectieve maybe...

 

 

Yeah they've been on the heatmat all week and seem to be enjoying it.  The RH is admittedly about 3% higher than outdoor, but I do have the vents open next to the plant and a pedestal fan blowing a gale at her.  I know you are right re: RH being better outside, I was just saying I have mitigated it a little

I love that plant pot trolley, I think my ma has one.  It wont help me hoof it into the border behind the other plants where it was living, but it would help me bring her back down the garden, thank you.

@the ferret that would have been true of his original Duck strain.  However 2 crosses have been bred in Holland by Dutch Passion.  One is the Auto Duck, which finishes up well in 10 - 12 weeks as most Autos seem to.  She finished in early September, but I managed to damage her somehow, so she didn't reach her potential due to leaves that looked flash-dried at the tips. I think it was a badly mixed soil issue.

The other cross, the one I am growing is called a Frisian Duck - which implies a German cross.  Indeed it has been crossed with Frisian Dew which is a Northern European, hardy strain.  It has the purple buds of the Frisian Dew, along with mould resistance and cold weather acclimatization, coupled with the mutant disguise leaves that came from the original Duck strain.  The reason being that - as you say - the original Duck was better suited to hotter weather.  It'd fly in the Med, but not in the UK or northern Europe.

It is great, though buds are small and leafy, the effect sounds good and the smell is divine.

Edited October 6, 2021 by MidgeSmith

[the ferret 528]

thanks for the reply midge i remember the old strain Frisian dew. very interesting thanks for the reply and the write up. ferret