Once your pruning shears are sanitized and sharpened, you're ready to begin. According to Robert Connell Clarke, a cannabis cultivation expert, trimming the central stalk represents one of the most common pruning techniques.
The tip of the central stalk is removed when the plant has reached its desired length. This removal encourages a bushy, laterally spreading plant, rather than a tall, stringy specimen.
Beneath the point where the central stalk has been removed, axial branches will form and grow two new limbs that ultimately spread outwards. This practice, also known as topping , is transformative because it alters the plant's growth trajectory.
Pruning the larger branches and leaves promotes instant airflow by creating space. It also allows light to reach more of the plant. Make the cuts as clean and as close to the stem as possible, and at a degree angle. Once the larger branches have been pruned, it's easier to shift attention to the smaller details.
Branches growing in the middle of the plant are not as resilient as those at the top. Spend some time pruning to create space around the middle. Very small limbs or branches grow around the lower parts of the plant and tend to be atrophied.
The removal of entire limbs allows the plant to channel nutrition into the upper stems, leaves, and buds. More air circulates in the lower reaches of the plant, minimizing the risk of mold when growing indoors. Most importantly, energy and growth hormones are directed upwards towards the buds most likely to thrive. This method is colloquially referred to as the lollipop technique or lollipopping. The plant takes on a lollipop appearance: bushy at the top with skinny and sparse foliage toward the bottom.
Remove any yellow, brown, or diseased-looking tissue. Prune any leaves that have branches shooting from their base. Snip any buds heavily shaded by the canopy branches. The unfavorable location of these buds means they will not have access to adequate light and may have nutrient deficiencies.
Pruning inflicts stress on the plant, so allowing time for recovery is vital. Make sure you provide adequate water, light, and nourishment in the days after pruning to facilitate recovery from the shock. Within a week the growth of new shoots and leaves should be apparent. Some growers say that you should only begin pruning your plants once they attain a bushy shape.
When your marijuana plant is still relatively young, it should be narrow enough to receive ample light.
Through plant training, you can manipulate its shape so that you dictate where its canopy is. This makes it easier to remove excess leaves. When you prune early, you give the plant the time to relax and grow bigger leaves. This should be long enough for your plants to start growing again. It is also a good idea to ease off on the nutrients for a couple of days.
When you use this training tactic, you place a screen approximately 0. Once the tops of the plants are within 0. After they have grown 0. At this stage, you can prune the plants once the first shoots have come through the screen. After a few days, transition to the flowering stage, and during the first couple of weeks, your plants should continue to grow. Otherwise, you could inadvertently trigger further vegetative growth, which will negatively impact your yield.
Experienced growers know that high-quality cannabis will grow where the plant gets the most airflow and sunlight. In other words, outside of the plant. As a result, you need to get rid of:. First and foremost, make sure you have the necessary equipment. We recommend purchasing a few pairs of scissors; either Fiskars or Chikamasas are ideal for the job. You also need different cutting tools to carry out various pruning tasks.
You have to be intricate in some parts, but in others, you will require something stronger to remove big branches. Make sure your cutting implements are sharp and clean to prevent infection. Your marijuana plant needs to expend vast amounts of energy to maintain all of its leaves and branches.
However, a significant number of these branches will provide little assistance to the growing process. They will do nothing more than use up essential nutrients. You will find such branches at the bottom of the plant.
As they receive next to no light, they will produce underdeveloped buds at best. Wait until your plants reach a height of 0. Topping cannabis works best when a plant is strong and developed and can withstand drastic change.
For the first topping—cutting the main stalk—a good rule of thumb is to cut the plant above the 5th node. This will give you enough side branches on the remaining part of the plant for it to bush out properly. For subsequent toppings on the same cannabis plant, cut each side branch above the second or third node, to allow the plant to continue to bush out properly.
These toppings are more subjective however, and will depend on how much you want the plant to bush out and how big you want the final plant to be. Fimming started as an accident but is also useful in the right circumstances. Topping may create two new stalks from where you cut, whereas fimming might create new stalks.
The fimming technique works great for cannabis growers in small spaces who are trying to maximize yields. However, fimmed plants will need more structural support, so take extra care in trellising your garden. Topped plants are more stable and have a stronger branch structure, requiring less support.
Again, it might feel strange to intentionally cut off bits of your plant, but without the proper amount of light, buds will be a poor quality. Cutting off these branches will allow the plant to redirect its energies to the quality buds that will receive plenty of light.
Pruning also creates open space in the middle of the marijuana plant, allowing air to flow through it more freely and light to penetrate deeper, keeping the plant healthy and vibrant so it can produce more quality buds.
While pruning cannabis, take the opportunity to closely look at your plants and check up on their health, looking for pests, nutrient deficiencies, and soil issues. In the early stages of growth, a plant is narrow enough that most of the foliage will receive plenty of sunlight.
0コメント