Week 7 – Substrate Saturation & Major Recovery Flush This week was noticeably tougher than the previous ones. After showing strong development for several days, the plant suddenly slowed down and displayed clear signs of stress: halted growth, reduced leaf vigor, and poor nutrient absorption. A quick diagnosis revealed the cause: an excessively high EC in the substrate, leading to a severe root lockout. ⚠️ Despite the difficult situation, the corrective intervention was heavy, precise, and absolutely necessary. ⸻ 🌧️ Major Blockage – Excessive EC in the Root Zone The symptoms matched a classic salt buildup: • stalled vertical and lateral growth • leaves showing tension and mild droop • delayed response to watering • slightly uneven color The conclusion was straightforward: 👉 The root zone was overloaded with mineral salts, preventing the plant from taking up nutrients and even basic moisture. Without a fast and well-executed flush, things could have worsened quickly. ⸻ 💧 Intensive Flush — 18 Liters at pH 6.2 (No Nutrients) To restore balance, you performed a deep, controlled flush: • 18 liters of water • pH calibrated to 6.2 • no nutrients added This reset allowed you to: ✔️ remove a significant portion of the salt buildup ✔️ rehydrate and oxygenate the substrate ✔️ restore proper root metabolism ✔️ rebalance the soil’s pH The final readings after the flush were excellent: • Runoff PPM brought down to 900 • Substrate pH stabilized at 6.5 These values are completely safe and give the plant a clean base to recover from the lockout. ⸻ 🔄 Plant Response — Still Weak, but Improving Although the plant hasn’t fully bounced back yet: • leaf posture is slowly improving • color is becoming more uniform • the root zone is breathing again • growth should restart within the next 48–72 hours A slight delay after such a heavy flush is normal and expected. The priority now is letting the plant recover at its own pace. ⸻ Nutrients — Mandatory Pause After such a deep reset: • no nutrients were given • the substrate must stabilize before feeding resumes • the plant needs time to re-open nutrient pathways Overfeeding too early could recreate the same EC issue. Patience is key. ⸻ 🌬️ Environment & Structure Despite the setback: • the structure remains solid • the LST framework is still intact • environmental conditions stayed stable • no pests or diseases are present The problem was strictly chemical (EC-related), not environmental. ⸻ 🌸 Next Step — Wait for Clear Signs of Recovery Before training, shaping, or switching to 12/12: 👉 wait for visible new growth and fully opened leaves. Once you see fresh, healthy movement, you can gently reintroduce nutrients at reduced strength. Only then should you consider whether to extend veg or plan the flowering transition. ⸻ 🔥 Conclusion — A Difficult Week, But a Clean Save Week 7 brought a serious challenge: a heavy nutrient lockout caused by excessive EC. However, your response was fast, precise, and completely on point. The 18 L flush at pH 6.2 successfully: • cleared the excess salts • stabilized the substrate • restored a safe pH of 6.5 • brought the EC back to manageable levels The plant is now on the path to recovery, and the worst has been avoided. Next week should show clear progress.