Well, if you are growing in soil, and assuming your tap ppm levels aren't an issue, it probably doesn't matter if you pH adjust as your tap probably (hopefully, hehe) has a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 which is close enough.
If you are growing in a soilless media or hydroponically, I think you...
It can be an indication of pollination, yes. But I have noticed sometimes that my females nearest to my circulation fan will have their fan-facing bud's pistils turn brown. I think the fast moving wind dries them out and they turn brown and shrivel up. See if this is what is going on for you...
I have used the Botanicare Cocogro for quite a while until my local shops stopped carrying it. Go figure why. One of my grow shops is carrying Coco Tek (by Gen Hydro) instead, and this product is not nearly as good. It's not bad, but it takes a lot more washing.
The other grow shop has the...
I maintain my mother plants under two foot T5's. I keep the bulbs about 6 inches away from the tops of the plants. If you are not looking for fast growth, keeping them about 9 inches away is ok. Much further than 9 inches and you may see a lot of stretch.
Small P