Help diagnosing what happened to my plants

Hi all,

I have 2 plants growing. They were initially doing AMAZINGLY well, up until about 2-3 weeks in the veg state. They were green, smelly, and doing really well.

The thing was, after initially wetting the soil, I didn't water them again for a while - frankly, the soil didn't look dry and the plants were doing great. After about 2.5 weeks, I figured they must need water, so I watered them.

Within a day of that watering, the smell disappeared, and since then they have steadily gotten worse and worse. I initially posted some pictures on here, and people said that it looked like a nitrogen deficiency, so I foliar fed with Foxfarm Grow Big and then watered with it after another week or so.

After a few more weeks, I started the veg phase, and things are again getting worse. I have been watering every week or so using Foxfarm Big Bloom, but still no help.

I have been growing under CFL's (6500k during veg and 2700k for flowering), and using Fafard potting soil the whole time. The water was Poland Springs distilled gallons bought at the supermarket.

See the attached pictures - any ideas? I think these are probably beyond saving, but I wanted to know for next time...

21/2 weeks with out needing water is a long time,that tells me the plant wasnt thriving,if it aint eating its sick.thee roots may have some kind of bug,you may of over waterd in the biggining im not sure.but it looks like your roots are not healthy.can you waiy untill it drys a bit and take the plant out of the pot,not sure if you did this before but if you have not you google how to take a plant out with out disturbing roots,i really am poor at painting pics with words.you asked if it was worth saving,wow it depends on what else you have ready and i have gotten worse looking plants healthy.but im not familiar with the food you are useing sorry.

I agree that 2.5 weeks without water is a lot, but they were truly doing amazingly well during that time. I mean, you could smell them from really far away. And literally, within 12 hours of watering them after that 2.5 weeks, the smell was completely gone, and they just started dying, and have gotten worse and worse ever since. I'm hoping to salvage at least a few buds but definitely don't want to make the same mistake next time, I just can't figure out what mistake I made.

If I do get them out and there is something wrong with the roots, what can I do to fix it?

thanks!

it depends on whether it bugs or root rot.but i would try a flush with 1/3 of a balanced n-p-k food supplement,and then wait for the soil to dry about 1/2 then give its regular feeding of a balanced n-p-k feeding for bloom.but not being familiar with your food,i cant say how to feed it with what your using.