Most experienced cannabis growers know pruning is essential but mention it to a novice grower, and panic rises in their eyes. Why would anyone want to cut off a portion of their precious marijuana plant?
While there are undoubtedly beneficial reasons for pruning cannabis plants, the practice is not without its risks. New growers and seasoned horticulturists alike need to be aware of the reasons for pruning their cannabis plants and how to do it properly.
With this guide, you will learn about the various methods of marijuana pruning and some tips to ensure you trim correctly. The goal of this information is to help growers choose a pruning method that makes them feel comfortable and ensures their cannabis plants will benefit.
Pruning Increases Yield
The goal of almost every marijuana grower is to achieve a bountiful harvest. Every gardener, no matter what they are growing, wants to get a large yield. That is why most gardeners precisely prune their plants according to the type and their desired growth outcome.
Cannabis plants can sometimes grow unruly. They may grow too tall or too bushy. Pruning cannabis plants keeps them neat and offers a greater yield. Aside from increased bud production, pruning marijuana plants also offers other benefits that are enticing to growers.
The main reason many cannabis growers prune their plants is that it keeps the plants smaller, allowing the plants to put all their energy into creating bountiful buds. Pruning also boosts the plant’s ability to absorb light.
Many growers also prune marijuana plants because it increases airflow. Proper airflow prevents mold and mildew growth, both of which can kill a cannabis plant. Proper conditions are essential for cannabis cultivation, and pruning helps to ensure better plant health.
Pruning Marijuana 101
Before advancing into the different types of marijuana pruning, you must know the basics. By its most fundamental definition, pruning simply means removing small portions of the cannabis plant meticulously to facilitate stronger growth.
You can consider pruning to be much like grooming. As you become more experienced in growing cannabis, you will find some leaves die throughout the stages of growth. At the very least, these leaves need to be removed with pruning.
Pruning allows a marijuana plant to focus its energy on the healthy leaves that are still alive. This method can also be used to control growth. You will need the following supplies for trimming cannabis.
- Choose a pair of sharp pruning shears that are easy to use and compact in design. Keep the blades sharpened so you do not cause damage to the stalks of your plants.
- You should also purchase isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol will sterilize your shears before cutting each area and clean the black, sticky gunk that is left behind after trimming.
Basic pruning involves removing dead or dying leaves and sometimes trimming fresh shoots. If your blades are sharp and sanitized before each cut, trimming cannabis should not cause harm to the plant.
Of course, you cannot prune a plant you have not grown. Kind Seed Co offers a wide selection of marijuana seeds. Some marijuana species are ideal for beginners, such as Blue Dream, Wedding Cake, and Lemon Haze. Once your plants are growing in the vegetative stage, it is time to consider your pruning options.
Prune at the Right Stage of Growth
While it is important to prune correctly, knowing when to prune is just as important. As mentioned above, there are certain stages of growth when pruning is not recommended.
Around the second week of vegetative growth, with Sativa strains, you may start considering options for pruning. Around this time, marijuana plants develop a few internodes and take shape with their growing patterns.
If you are growing Indica strains, do not think about pruning until three weeks into the vegetative stage because these strains grow slower than Sativa. Remember, if you are looking for more terpenes, Sativa strains are ideal.
You must remember to never prune during the flowering stage. Once you prune, the marijuana plants will need time to recover from the removal. As your plants heal, they may stop growing temporarily. As you can see, this is not desirable when you are trying to grow buds.
Follow these tips for safe pruning.
- Avoid tearing leaves or stems with your hands. Using your hands can cause major damage to your plants. Use sharp scissors or a knife.
- Water and feed your plants immediately after pruning. Watering and feeding at this point helps to prevent shock and encourage growth.
Three Effective Marijuana Pruning Techniques
Whether you are growing cannabis outdoors or inside, choosing the right pruning method is advantageous. Multiple methods are available, so it is important to choose one that will offer the best growth potential for your plants.
Topping
Topping is a pruning and training method that produces a higher yield. This style of pruning is ideal for indoor marijuana plants or those grown for CBD.
When growers top their cannabis plants, they remove the main top shoot. The following are some benefits of using topping to trim marijuana plants.
- Topping helps the plant grow bigger buds.
- The plant becomes bushier because it grows more branches.
- More leaves develop on the plant.
Tips for Topping
When using the topping method, make sure to only remove the latest shoot so you do not cause too much damage to the plant. While it is okay to top your plants more than one time, space the pruning sessions out so the plants have time to heal. Never top outside of the vegetative stage.
Fimming
Fimming is the process of partially removing the newest shoot on the plant, which ends up creating four buds. Marijuana plants that have been fimmed grow wider instead of taller. Because this pruning method leaves more leaves exposed to light, greater light absorption occurs. The benefits of fimming include the following.
- Fimming makes marijuana plants more efficient at absorbing sunlight.
- Plants grow wider rather than taller.
- Marijuana plants that are fimmed grow more leaves.
Tips for Fimming
When fimming, be sure to avoid removing too much of the shoot. You are only aiming to remove around 2/3 of the shoot. Removing too much will cause only two buds to grow instead of four. Remember, fimming damages the plant, so give it time to recover before fimming again.
Lollipopping
If you want larger colas to grow from your planted marijuana seeds, lollipopping is an excellent pruning method. The goal of lollipopping is to promote healthier and larger bud growth by removing all the lower foliage and creating the shape of a lollipop.
If you are growing cannabis indoors, with only top lights, lollipopping is an ideal pruning method for better bud growth. Lollipopping removes the lower leaves that are competing for energy and allows the plant to focus on producing huge colas. The benefits of lollipopping include the following.
- Lollipopping allows for better circulation in marijuana plants.
- This method of pruning helps marijuana plants conserve energy.
- The lollipop method helps produce large colas.
Tips for Lollipopping
You can lollipop a cannabis plant from the top down or the bottom up, depending on your desired outcome. Do not make the mistake of over-pruning. Although some growers slide their fingers down the plant to remove all the bottom growth, this is not wise. Using scissors or a knife will prevent plant damage.
FAQ About Marijuana Pruning
Beginners have a lot of questions regarding marijuana pruning. Getting answers to these questions will prepare you for pruning.
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When can I prune my marijuana plants?
You should never begin pruning until the vegetative stage. For the best results, wait until the second week of this stage.
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How long will it take the plants to recover after pruning?
Your marijuana plants should recover within a few days. Wait at least a week before pruning again
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How long before I can start flowering my pruned plants?
You should wait four to five days before flowering your marijuana plants. Give them time to recover fully before introducing them to longer light periods.
Do Not Be Afraid of Pruning
Every gardener needs to know how to prune, whether they are growing tomatoes or cannabis. If you are a beginner, start by removing the dead and yellowing leaves only. As you gain experience growing cannabis, you will feel more confident trying other methods of pruning. The result of pruning is healthier plants and a larger yield.
