Old Reviews Organic vs Inorganic Nutrients: Is there really that big a difference in final product?

[Mañ'O'Green]

I wonder if there's been any studies done on the brix levels of plants (brix is a measurement of the sugar content in the sap) grown with organic versus inorganic nutrients. We were talking about sugar levels effecting the circadian rhythm of plants in another thread (there's a study that's suggesting sugar levels directly effect the regulation of the cycle.)

Harley Smith goes into detail about how a high brix level makes a better healthier plant and harvest. He has studied it in depth. It is accomplished by having the correct nutrients available to the plant when it needs them.

I digress here, but....
This I don't understand,... I wet trim only for several reasons, and have tried dry trimming as well. There are lots of pro's and con's for both, that's a fact... But so far as this biologist knows, there is no direct "connection" between those cut leaf surfaces and the trichomes elsewhere,... loss of terpenes correlated to this makes no sense?... My thinking, drying them still untrimmed does protect the bud surfaces from the physical/mechanical activity that may burst bud trich' heads open, but in no way does it directly cause the loss of terpenes from trich' heads undisturbed,... Some have suggested that the "smothering/shielding" of the fans help preserve the terpenes,... that seems iffy to me, the coverage is anything but complete, or such covering could in fact promote mold by retaining moisture as well (of course all the other env. factors are in play here for proper drying and preserving as much terp content as possible)... If you found something appearing to connect the two, I'm betting it's something else... I have heard this before from other growers truth be told, but again, after looking into it best I can, I found nothing but anecdotal connection between the two, certainly nothing empirical. My mind is open for bizz on this, I just haven't found any solid explanation to ratify the correlation between these two things....
Keep in mind some monoterpenes are very volatile, even at 70F they vap'-off readily, and depending on the specific make up of what terp's are in the buds, this can have a huge impact of not just what remains, but how much by the time they fully dry and undergo final curing....

I get the same or nearly the same end product using a mixed method. In the summer months when it is hot and dry here I will hang the entire plant to dry without any trimming. This is to slow the drying process. In the winter months I wet trim all of the fan leaves and hang individual branches. The goal is to dry them to 60% in 5 or more days. It is a balancing act but I have got pretty good at drying in my various climate conditions.

 

[Ripper]

Dry trimming sucks. It is Self Flagellation.

Dry trim is easier if you dry your plants properly.

 

[pop22]

It's a hybrid of organic and manufactured. It get's along with soil life also, as I have Red Wigglers alive in my pots that I feed Mega to. So the microlife has to be healthy also as that's what the worms actually feed on.

I use MC as well. I was curious about what you would call it? Organic or Veganic? Organics from my understanding contain organic matter such as earthworm castings, beetle shells, and animal wastes i.e.( bat guano, bird guano, fish poop). If left unchecked and allowed to run down the drain it can cause serious buildup of Nitrogen in local streams and rivers. This can cause dead zones lacking oxygen that can no longer support even microscopic life. Perfect example is Gulf of Mexico. Now... MC is according to Greenleaf comprised of only plant matter. Thats what Veganic IMO. Glad to see someone else noticed the chelation being from Amino Acids. Just spit balling here, whats your take?

 

[pop22]

Organics can be composed of anything that was once living. High Nitrogen organic waste is yes, just as bad for water systems as any other source. We need to be more cautious with our use of any type of nutrient source. My goal with Mega was to use as little as possible and still grow healthy plants. I water only with nutrient solution and do not water to run off ,never have. I grow in soil and use Mega from many strains at 425 ppms. I've run into a couple that want 500 but most do fine on 425. And I'm not fussy about the actual ppm but i try to keep it between 400 - 450. Not a drop goes down the drain and I use the same soil repeatedly. My auto pots are no till, I simply cut out the stump and transplant into the hole.

I use MC as well. I was curious about what you would call it? Organic or Veganic? Organics from my understanding contain organic matter such as earthworm castings, beetle shells, and animal wastes i.e.( bat guano, bird guano, fish poop). If left unchecked and allowed to run down the drain it can cause serious buildup of Nitrogen in local streams and rivers. This can cause dead zones lacking oxygen that can no longer support even microscopic life. Perfect example is Gulf of Mexico. Now... MC is according to Greenleaf comprised of only plant matter. Thats what Veganic IMO. Glad to see someone else noticed the chelation being from Amino Acids. Just spit balling here, whats your take?

 

[Animatey]

I grow with synthetics largely because I grow in bedrooms. In all my time growing I've had zero bugs/pests in my grow tents/cabinets.

I've asked a few people about organics and they all told me that bugs are just part of it. Until I can grow outside, that's a deal breaker for me.

After reading this thread I'm going to try and use the run off in my yard.

I've never grown organic so I couldn't comment on quality, but I've noticed dry/cure methods do make a difference.

Dry trimming sucks. It is Self Flagellation.

For the last year I have done dry trimming and I find it a lot easier. I did 100% wet trims before that and I don't think I'll ever go back.

The trick is using a pair of gloves and pulling the leaves off instead of trying to get them with the fiskars. Takes me less than half the time wet trimming took me.

Also I live somewhere really dry, so having all the extra leaves on the plant while it hangs dry helps slow the drying down. My plants take 8-10 days to dry this way and the terps seem to stay a lot stronger.

Good luck in your gardens

 

[MI_sterGreen]

Organics can be composed of anything that was once living. High Nitrogen organic waste is yes, just as bad for water systems as any other source. We need to be more cautious with our use of any type of nutrient source. My goal with Mega was to use as little as possible and still grow healthy plants. I water only with nutrient solution and do not water to run off ,never have. I grow in soil and use Mega from many strains at 425 ppms. I've run into a couple that want 500 but most do fine on 425. And I'm not fussy about the actual ppm but i try to keep it between 400 - 450. Not a drop goes down the drain and I use the same soil repeatedly. My auto pots are no till, I simply cut out the stump and transplant into the hole.

I really like the idea of being able to reuse the soil. I will have to give that a try after this run. Trying to keep my waste to a minimum.

 

[MI_sterGreen]

I grow with synthetics largely because I grow in bedrooms. In all my time growing I've had zero bugs/pests in my grow tents/cabinets.

I've asked a few people about organics and they all told me that bugs are just part of it. Until I can grow outside, that's a deal breaker for me.

After reading this thread I'm going to try and use the run off in my yard.

I've never grown organic so I couldn't comment on quality, but I've noticed dry/cure methods do make a difference.



For the last year I have done dry trimming and I find it a lot easier. I did 100% wet trims before that and I don't think I'll ever go back.

The trick is using a pair of gloves and pulling the leaves off instead of trying to get them with the fiskars. Takes me less than half the time wet trimming took me.

Also I live somewhere really dry, so having all the extra leaves on the plant while it hangs dry helps slow the drying down. My plants take 8-10 days to dry this way and the terps seem to stay a lot stronger.

Good luck in your gardens

Have you ever tried doing a bit of both? I trim all fan leaves off then give the buds a "haircut" of sorts. Not cutting the pistil hairs, but trimming back all leaves until the tricomes start. Leaves them half trimmed with all the sugar leaves attached. Let dry at roughly 55% humidity until small branches snap. My extraction fan has the ability sense humidity and never let's it get too humid. Makes drying a breeze... no pun

 

[Builder0101]

My "wet" trim involves all of the larger leaves where access to the petiols. all of the sugar leaves till after the hang.

 

[Animatey]

Have you ever tried doing a bit of both? I trim all fan leaves off then give the buds a "haircut" of sorts. Not cutting the pistil hairs, but trimming back all leaves until the tricomes start. Leaves them half trimmed with all the sugar leaves attached. Let dry at roughly 55% humidity until small branches snap. My extraction fan has the ability sense humidity and never let's it get too humid. Makes drying a breeze... no pun

I take the fans wet, but everything else I find it's easier when the plant is dry and I can use my gloved hand.

I do leave the stems of the fan leaves. When those all snap easily I take that as an indicator that the plant is dry and ready to cure.

Props on controlling the humidity so well. Mine fluctuates between 45-55% during dry time.

 

[MI_sterGreen]

I take the fans wet, but everything else I find it's easier when the plant is dry and I can use my gloved hand.

I do leave the stems of the fan leaves. When those all snap easily I take that as an indicator that the plant is dry and ready to cure.

Props on controlling the humidity so well. Mine fluctuates between 45-55% during dry time.

Those are still good numbers, especially if you are leaving more on. What kind of setup do you have for drying?