Cannabis plant training is an essential practice for any grower looking to maximize their yield and improve the overall health of their plants. While the idea of manipulating your plants might seem intimidating at first, many techniques are perfectly suited for beginners. This article will guide you through various effective cannabis plant training techniques, providing tips and tricks to help you get started on the right foot.
Key Takeaways
- Low Stress Training (LST) is ideal for beginners due to its gentle approach and effectiveness in increasing yields.
- Topping and FIMing are advanced techniques that can significantly boost your plant’s growth when done correctly.
- Supercropping involves strategically damaging your plants to promote stronger growth and higher yields.
- The Screen of Green (ScrOG) method helps maximize light exposure and space efficiency in your grow room.
- Defoliation and Manifolding are advanced techniques that require careful timing and execution for optimal results.
Bend It Like Beckham: Low Stress Training (LST)
Alright y’all, let’s dive into Low Stress Training, or LST for short. This technique is all about gently bending and tying down the stems of your cannabis plant to shape it just the way you want. Think of it like guiding a stubborn mule – you gotta be gentle but firm. Unlike those high-stress techniques like topping or supercropping, LST is more like a gentle nudge in the right direction.
Why LST is Perfect for Beginners
LST is perfect for beginners because it doesn’t involve cutting or damaging the plant. Instead, you’re just bending the branches and securing them in place. This helps maximize light exposure to as much of the plant as possible, which means bigger buds and happier plants. Plus, it’s a great way to get hands-on without the risk of major screw-ups.
Step-by-Step Guide to LST
- Start Early: Begin LST when your plant is still a seedling. The young stems are flexible and easier to bend.
- Bend and Secure: Gently bend the tall stems down and away from the middle of the plant. Use garden ties, wires, or even yo-yos to secure them in place.
- Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on your plant and adjust the ties as needed. The goal is to create a flat, wide canopy that gets plenty of light.
- Be Patient: LST is a gradual process. Don’t rush it, and give your plant time to respond to the training.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbending: Don’t go all Hulk on your plant. Bend gently to avoid snapping the stems.
- Neglecting Adjustments: Regularly check and adjust your ties. As the plant grows, you’ll need to tweak the setup.
- Starting Too Late: Older plants have rigid, woody stems that are harder to bend. Start early for best results.
Remember, LST is mainly about gently bending and tying down the stems of a plant into the shape you want. This is compared to “high stress” techniques like manifolding or supercropping. So take it easy, and let your plant grow strong and wide.
Top It Off: Mastering Topping and FIMing
Alright y’all, let’s dive into the world of topping and FIMing. These techniques are like the redneck engineering of cannabis cultivation – simple, effective, and a little bit rough around the edges. But hey, they get the job done!
The Difference Between Topping and FIMing
Topping is the act of cutting a growing shoot off the stem. By doing so, the plant is encouraged to direct extra energy to the next two shoots. It’s like telling your plant, “Hey, don’t put all your eggs in one basket!” On the other hand, FIMing is a very closely related technique where you damage or “shave” the top of the plant instead of removing it completely. This can accomplish many of the same goals as topping, but has less of a chance of stressing the plant. The downside? It’s more likely to fail at actually breaking apical dominance.
When and How to Top Your Plants
Timing is everything, folks. You want to top your plants when they have at least 4-6 nodes. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
- Identify the main stem and locate the topmost node.
- Using a clean, sharp pair of scissors, cut just above the node.
- Sit back and watch your plant start to bush out.
FIMing: The Almost-Top Technique
FIMing is like topping’s laid-back cousin. Instead of cutting the top off completely, you just give it a little trim. Here’s how you do it:
- Find the topmost node on the main stem.
- Instead of cutting it off, use your scissors to shave about 75% of the new growth.
- Cross your fingers and hope for the best!
Remember, both techniques aim to encourage the plant to grow several colas instead of just one main cola. It’s all about spreading the love and getting more buds for your buck.
Supercropping: The Hulk Smash of Plant Training
Alright y’all, let’s dive into supercropping, the Hulk Smash of plant training techniques. This ain’t your grandma’s gardening trick; it’s a high-stress method that involves bending your cannabis stems to control their height and boost their yield. Think of it as giving your plants a tough-love workout.
What is Supercropping?
Supercropping is a more extreme kind of bending, used for stems that are too tall and have become woody and difficult to bend. With this technique, you “soften up” the stem first before bending it at an extreme angle. It’s like giving your plant a deep tissue massage, but instead of relaxing, it gets stronger and more productive.
Benefits of Supercropping
Supercropping can be incredibly helpful for wrangling an out-of-control plant. Here are some of the benefits:
- Boosts yield not just in number but in THC and CBD content.
- Promotes even growth, preventing one or two stems from shooting up way ahead of the others.
- Diverts energy from the main central stem to the secondary stems, increasing the number of main colas.
How to Supercrop Without Breaking a Sweat
- Identify the stems that are too tall and have become woody.
- Gently squeeze the stem between your thumb and forefinger to “soften” it up.
- Bend the stem at an extreme angle without damaging the outer skin. If you do end up delivering a cut, don’t panic. Secure it with duct tape and leave it. Chances are your plant will repair itself nicely.
- Repeat the process for other stems as needed.
Supercropping may sound brutal, but trust me, your plants will thank you for it. They’ll come back stronger, healthier, and more productive than ever.
So there you have it, folks. Supercropping is like the Hulk Smash of plant training techniques. It may seem a bit rough, but the results are worth it. Happy growing!
Screen of Green (ScrOG): Turning Your Grow Room into a Jungle Gym
Alright y’all, let’s dive into the Screen of Green, or as we like to call it, ScrOG. This technique is like turning your grow room into a jungle gym for your plants. It’s a bit of work, but the results are worth it. You’ll need a mesh screen, and the idea is to train your plant to grow through the holes in the mesh. This helps create a flat canopy, making it easier for your grow lights to do their job and support those heavy buds as they mature.
Defoliation: The Art of Leaf Plucking
Alright y’all, let’s dive into defoliation—the art of plucking those pesky leaves off your cannabis plants. This technique is all about giving your buds the maximum exposure to light, which is crucial for a bountiful harvest. But remember, this ain’t a free-for-all; timing and precision are key.
Why Defoliation Works
Defoliation involves removing fan leaves in a strategic way in the first part of the flowering stage. The idea is to snip about 25% of the leaves to make the plant focus more on developing buds rather than vegetative growth. This helps the bud develop bigger and chunkier during the reproductive or nug development phase.
How to Defoliate Like a Pro
To defoliate a plant, use your hands or scissors to remove fan leaves from the plant. These are the leaves that grow right under the bud site and have a long stem with just a single fan leaf on it. It’s important to note that this is typically done early in the flowering stage, and only on healthy plants with an abundance of light.
Timing Your Defoliation Sessions
You only defoliate right before the switch to the flowering stage. And once or twice during the flowering stretch period, when the plant is undergoing its most rapid growth. The best time to start is in the early vegetative phase, when the plant has at least 4-6 nodes.
Remember, cannabis plant training techniques like LST and HST optimize plant growth for increased yield and quality. Benefits include even canopy, light absorption, and efficient space usage.
Manifolding: The Ultimate Plant Makeover
Alright y’all, let’s dive into the world of manifolding. This ain’t your grandma’s plant training technique. Manifolding is essentially a variation on topping with the main difference being that you top the plant twice so that it forms a candelabra shape. The advantage of manifolding is that it can supercharge your yield, encouraging buds to grow bigger and longer as well as more uniformly. But beware, if you get it wrong, it can really damage your plant. So, let’s get it right, shall we?
What is Manifolding?
Manifolding is a modified way of topping a plant multiple times to get it to distribute energy equally to all nodes. When done correctly, all remaining branches will get an equivalent amount of energy from the roots, and as such, grow to a similar size. The point of manifolding is to create 8 symmetrical main colas. This technique is definitely for those who are comfortable with growing plants and are looking to take their skills to the next level.
Step-by-Step Manifolding Guide
- Top the plant: Start by topping your plant when it has about 5-6 nodes. Cut above the third node to encourage the plant to grow two main branches.
- Let it grow: Allow the plant to grow a bit more until each of the two main branches has 3 nodes of its own.
- Top again: Now, top each of these two branches above their third node. You should now have 4 main branches.
- Repeat the process: Let these 4 branches grow until they each have 3 nodes, then top them again. You should now have 8 main branches, or colas.
- Prune and tie: Use soft garden ties to gently tie down the branches, spreading them out to allow light to penetrate all parts of the plant. Prune any unnecessary growth to focus the plant’s energy on the main colas.
Advantages of Manifolding
- Increased yield: By distributing energy equally, manifolding encourages bigger and more uniform buds.
- Better light penetration: Spreading out the branches allows light to reach all parts of the plant, promoting healthier growth.
- Control over plant shape: Manifolding gives you more control over the shape and size of your plant, making it easier to manage in your grow space.
Manifolding can work in most mediums, but it shines brightest in hydroponics since the recovery time is dramatically shortened.
So there you have it, folks. Manifolding is a bit of a time investment, but if you do it right, the rewards are well worth it. Just remember, this technique is not for the faint of heart or the beginner grower. Happy growing, y’all!
No-Technique Plant Training: Lazy Grower’s Paradise
What is No-Technique Training?
Alright y’all, if you’re lookin’ to grow some fine cannabis without all the fuss, No-Technique Plant Training is your best bet. This is the lazy man’s dream—no fancy tools, no complicated steps. Just let nature do its thing while you sit back with a cold one. The main idea here is to bend the main stem over 90° when the plant is young, so all the lower branches get their time in the sun. It’s as simple as that!
Benefits of Going No-Technique
Why should you consider this method? Well, for starters:
- Simplicity: No need for special equipment or advanced knowledge.
- Time-Saving: Spend less time fussin’ over your plants and more time enjoyin’ life.
- Effective: Even without all the bells and whistles, you can still get a decent yield.
How to Get Started with No-Technique Training
- Bend the Main Stem: When your plant is still young, gently bend the main stem to a 90° angle. This exposes the lower branches to more light.
- Secure the Stem: Use garden ties or even some old shoelaces to keep the stem in place.
- Let It Grow: Now, just let the plant do its thing. Keep an eye on it, but don’t stress too much.
If 95% of legal commercial growers train their plants, why shouldn’t you?
So there you have it, folks. No-Technique Plant Training is perfect for those who want to keep things simple and still get a good harvest. Happy growing, y’all!
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks! A whirlwind tour through the magical world of cannabis plant training. Whether you’re bending, topping, or just giving your plants a stern talking-to, these techniques can help you turn your humble grow into a veritable forest of green goodness. Remember, practice makes perfect, and even the most seasoned growers started as newbies. So grab your gardening gloves, put on your favorite tunes, and get to training those plants. Happy growing, and may your yields be ever bountiful!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cannabis plant training?
Cannabis plant training involves various techniques to manipulate the growth of cannabis plants, aiming to improve yield, control plant size, and enhance overall plant health.
Why should beginners consider Low Stress Training (LST)?
LST is ideal for beginners because it is a gentle technique that doesn’t involve cutting the plant. It helps to increase light exposure and airflow without causing significant stress to the plant.
What is the difference between topping and FIMing?
Topping involves cutting off the main stem to create two new growth tips, while FIMing is a similar technique but involves cutting only a portion of the new growth, resulting in multiple new growth tips.
How does supercropping benefit cannabis plants?
Supercropping, which involves bending and slightly damaging the plant stems, can help to create a stronger plant structure, increase light penetration, and ultimately boost yield.
What is the purpose of the Screen of Green (ScrOG) technique?
ScrOG uses a screen to train plants to grow horizontally, maximizing light exposure and space efficiency, which can lead to higher yields and better-quality buds.
Is defoliation necessary for all cannabis plants?
Defoliation is not necessary for all plants, but it can be beneficial for improving light penetration and airflow in dense canopies. It should be done carefully to avoid over-stressing the plant.
