To cut or not to cut out Cal/Mag??

Hey good people!

So I'm torn with what to do regarding cal/mag plus during flower. Getting a lot of mix reviews so I figure I put it on the table for discussion.

I am 4 days away from the beginning of week 3 of flower. Growing in ffof, only vegged for about 3-4weeks. Only been giving them 2 1/2 tsp of BB, tsp of cal/mag, and 1/8 of open sesame. I am looking to begin adding beastie blooms and tiger bloom at a very light dose to start (1/8 tsp). My main question is....should I cut out the cal mag at week 3 of flower or wait until after week 5 or so?? I read that it can give a harsh Taste to the smoke and I notice it carries nitrogen as well. Should I cut the cal mag out complete, lower the dosage or continue as I have? The ladies look AWSEONE and they are super happy. Nice bud sites showing, nice and green and perking to the light. When should I cut out the cal mag? Don't want too much of that and nitrogen left in the plant late come harvest time. I know too much of it can be hard to flush out. Definitely plan on doing a 10-14 day flush at the end. Also, should I give more than 1/8 of the soluables? Scared to burn my girls. The combo of BB & TB can be scared if u don't ease into it. Excited for your feedback. I want to apply suggestions next feeding for the beginning of week 3 of flower. Will upload pics later as the girls are sleeping right now

Calcium is a harsh taste to smoke?! Bottom line, if you use RO water or have soft water you will need it, sometimes with LED too, other than that its not essential.

budman111 said:

Calcium is a harsh taste to smoke?! Bottom line, if you use RO water or have soft water you will need it, sometimes with LED too, other than that its not essential.

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Well I am using distilled water. So that's why I add it. When would you suggest to stop giving the cal mag?

Dour said:

Well I am using distilled water. So that's why I add it. When would you suggest to stop giving the cal mag?

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the week before harvest.

I used it through out my entire outdoor grow last year. Every 1 that has tryed my bud said it was the smoothest, most flavourfull bud they have smoked... not to mention one of the most potent they smoked.

Maybe i got lucky? Maybe they only ever had shitty bud haha.

I think I'm looking at cutting out the cal mag come week 6 or so. The ladies should have stored all the calcium & magnesium needed for the rest of the grow by than. Just don't want to see any deficiencies until flush begins. I have been giving them 1tsp of cal/mag plus every week since the 3rd week of veg. They are super healthy, nice and green with no deficiencies. Did notice holes in some of the leaves tho as of late, hoping there no pest in there. Have to investigate.

PS: I only water/feed once a week. 3 gal pots.

budman111 said:

Calcium is a harsh taste to smoke?! Bottom line, if you use RO water or have soft water you will need it, sometimes with LED too, other than that its not essential.

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Just throwing this out there for OP, but am replying to comment as you seem to have some knowledge in this area and have been around RIU for a while. If running distilled water and looking to strictly cut out Calcium, but still wants the magnesium wouldn't Epsom salt be a possible option? PLEASE OP do not take this information and run with, trying to add to the topic, but also possibly get further clarification.

It seems that Magnesium is quite beneficial for that plant to help soak up added nutes, etc. There again, strictly from reading and not personal experience.

tntgreen13 said:

If running distilled water and looking to strictly cut out Calcium.

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No calcium in plants would lead to ruin within weeks.

What about molasses Has calcium

Calcium is an immobile nutrient so lots is needed during the stretch and bud formation but tapers of after the bud has filled out so if your Base nutes have enough in then your probably dont need it after week 6-7.
Calcium also isn't likely to be the cause of a harsh smoke with it being an immobile nutrient. If you didn't know it just means once the plant has used the nutrient it can't move it around the plant like nutrients such as nitrogen.

darkzero said:

What about molasses Has calcium

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careful with that logic, only saying from experience. I thought so too.
problem with molasses is that it has a bunch of magnesium and potassium, fed with those two can and will lock out calcium, don't ask how I know...
d-lime usually will give you all the mag and cal you need, so will comfrey.
calcium is used a LOT, don't wanna chintz on it.

pedrovski said:

Calcium is an immobile nutrient so lots is needed during the stretch and bud formation but tapers of after the bud has filled out so if your Base nutes have enough in then your probably dont need it after week 6-7.
Calcium also isn't likely to be the cause of a harsh smoke with it being an immobile nutrient. If you didn't know it just means once the plant has used the nutrient it can't move it around the plant like nutrients such as nitrogen.

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Great feedback! Much appreciated. That's what I'm leaning towards. Currently at the beginning of wk 4 of flower. Just did a light rinse yesterday. Next feeding going to cut the cal/mag down to 1/2 tsp and than cut it out completely after week 6. Plan on hitting them with beastie Bloomz & tiger bloom hard next feeding. Half dose. Time to pick it up. Going to post pics to get your take on how I'm coming along.

Dour said:

Great feedback! Much appreciated. That's what I'm leaning towards. Currently at the beginning of wk 4 of flower. Just did a light rinse yesterday. Next feeding going to cut the cal/mag down to 1/2 tsp and than cut it out completely after week 6. Plan on hitting them with beastie Bloomz & tiger bloom hard next feeding. Half dose. Time to pick it up. Going to post pics to get your take on how I'm coming along.

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Not sure if I can answer your question but I don't use Cal/mag. I'll use fresh coconut water straight from the coconut and mix a couple tablespoons per gallon. I use it up to a month before harvest and never have any harsh taste. Plus the coconut water has other benefits.

tntgreen13 said:

Just throwing this out there for OP, but am replying to comment as you seem to have some knowledge in this area and have been around RIU for a while. If running distilled water and looking to strictly cut out Calcium, but still wants the magnesium wouldn't Epsom salt be a possible option? PLEASE OP do not take this information and run with, trying to add to the topic, but also possibly get further clarification.

It seems that Magnesium is quite beneficial for that plant to help soak up added nutes, etc. There again, strictly from reading and not personal experience.

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I don't use cal/mag anymore, I went to epsom salts for the magnesium. I have plenty on calcium in my organic soil through the bone meal. I never stop using it. Maybe not for the last week before a chop but by then I don't care if they're going to start showing a deficiency. LED makes the ladies turn into little magnesium whores.

I switched to CaMg+ late in flower for this grow and I am liking the looks of everything a lot better but with the strain I grow I can't drop my guard on Ca or I end up really sorry I did.

https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/45/6/article-p984.xml

Has anyone seen any indication of faster finish with less Calcium/cutting calmag? apparently low calcium promotes ripening thru ethylene production in some fruit. Has anyone ever had a look at this?