No offense taken. This is my first grow. I've grown all kinds of veggies since I was a kid as well.
Looking at the overall plants health is a good way to judge what's needed. Making your own nutes with known levels of each element is more sound to me then just taking "ppm" recommendations. I understand that that's what nutrient manufacturers for, to somewhat dial in the ratios and sell em. Forgive me to be so anal about figuring out elemental balance. I totally understand your point ... this dude haven't grown shit and talking about ppm and shit and should just add nutes at quarter or half of recommended dose and look at the plants themselves for clues and not glue himself to excel spreadsheets and calculators. And I think I'll have to succumb to the suggestion just for a sake of peace.