How to 'dial in' nutrient regimen

I'm sure this is the kind of thing that if I knew the exact right string of keywords to search, someone has already discussed this, so feel free to UTFSE-me, but also include the link lol

There's much talk of 'dialing in' one's grow room, which would include things like proper temperature, humidity, light intensity, and of course, the optimal amount of nutrients. So how exactly does one go about finding that perfect proportion of nutes for each strain?

I'm growing in FFOF with the full Fox Farm line including solubles for now (considering something simpler like Jack's Classic to test against for next grow), and was basically following their chart until I started to realize I was loosing too many fan leaves because of the apparently ridiculous NPK ratios upon flipping. I started using less of the solubles and added Grow Big back in to get some N and the yellowing has slowed to the point of basically stopping, but I then encountered another deficiency that was remedied with CalMag supplementation (still not sure which one it was).

So this is the extent to which I have strayed from the handy-dandy 'tard chart and now I want to learn how I can give my plants exactly what they need.

It'd be awesome if people can share their methods on how to push the nutes without over-fertilizing, including any consideration for PPMs, EC (not relevant for soil?), or any other measurements or details of which I might not yet be aware.

If you want to "dial in" your nutes you must do controled tests. Get a dip stick and test tds/ec to see how much food they get then keep a few the same and mess with a few. Take notes and write down info. Like growth Patterns,food requirments for different stages of growth plant likes or dislikes etc. There is a lot to do when dialing in a grow. Air exchange,food,RH,air movement, co2,temps etc. Best of luck with your projects

Breeder said:

If you want to "dial in" your nutes you must do controled tests. Get a dip stick and test tds/ec to see how much food they get then keep a few the same and mess with a few. Take notes and write down info. Like growth Patterns,food requirments for different stages of growth plant likes or dislikes etc.

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So basically, keep one on the FF schedule as a control and try more on another to see the reaction?

Is there any consensus on PPM ranges, either in general or with regard to different periods of the plant's life cycle?

There's no 'dialed in' formula. It's a combination of experience with the strain and general growing experience, combined with a good intuition and good common sense. And having a basic knowledge of the many aspects of growing like botany, organics, chemistry, and gardening/horticulture. You have to know a little about a lot.
Another expression for 'dialed-in' is 'green-thumb'.

Beansly said:

There's no 'dialed in' formula. It's a combination of experience with the strain and general growing experience, combined with a good intuition and good common sense. And having a basic knowledge of the many aspects of growing like botany, organics, chemistry, and gardening/horticulture. You have to know a little about a lot.
Another expression for 'dialed-in' is 'green-thumb'.

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Perhaps this is the type of situation for which the expression "common sense isn't so common" was coined . . .

I'm not asking for some magical formula that I can apply to every strain in every situation. I did, after all, refer to the FF schedule as a "'tard chart."

You mention a few very general things like 'botany' and 'gardening/horticulture', which while having very little knowledge, I would tend to agree. But it's also not an answer that I can take action on, aside from getting a few books on 'organics' and the like.

I have, indeed, branched out to take in botany and gardening basics, but have yet to come across instructions for how to find the optimal nutrient regimen. I'm looking for specific, actionable steps that will lead me to manifesting 'good intuition' with my ladies.

Does anyone have any suggestions for reading material or other specific resources? While it's great that people who already have 'green thumbs' like Beansly (I scanned your pics and you clearly know what you're doing), I'm looking for the kind of information that will HELP GET ME THERE!

Perhaps we can get this back on track:
Is it always best to feed the plants the most they can handle just under the point of toxicity? In other words, does more food (if it's not too much) equal a larger harvest?

No,less is best for the most part to much food makes the finnished product taste like shit. Personaly I grow organically but have ran plenty of hydro in my day and always do controled tests of strains I run to see what they like. Take for for example the blueberry x hashplant, I ran it in hydro and figured it liked more food then most of my strains so when I mixed amended soil I gave it a hot mix. Keep your tests controled and take notes on what works and what doesn't. After awhile it will become 2nd nature. If you have any questions you can shoot me a PM and I can try to help because I don't get online to much