It’s the absolute last option I’d choose. Do what ya gotta do, but that’s not winning. Taking your genetics to death’s door step and fucking with their hormonal balance is not how you keep them viable long term. You’re just a terrible parent for not making a backup when growing from seed.

Senescence or ripening occurs near the end of the plant’s life cycle by increasing it’s ethylene levels. Ethylene is a hormone that blocks the production of chlorophyll allowing for other pigments like flavonoids and carotenoids to show.

Just know that all plants are full of PGRs (hormones). Saying PGRs are bad is like saying water is bad without giving any context as to why. Water can kill or give life.

I lost a Blackwater plant back in my early days of growing and to this day I still haven’t found that same pheno from a pack of black water seeds so if there’s a chance to save that one you should try!