How Does Super Cropping Marijuana Work?
If you have done any research into growing marijuana, you have likely heard of super cropping. This growing technique sounds counterproductive because it involves the partial destruction of the plant. Deliberately damaging the plant helps to increase yield and resin production, which are both favorable to growers. With this guide, you will learn more about super cropping and its benefits.
Gaining an Understanding of Resin
Marijuana plants contain minuscule trichomes that produce resin. The resin contains potent amounts of THC, so growers covet it and want more. Before you can learn more about super cropping, you need to understand why marijuana plants produce resin.
The goal of every pot plant is to protect itself and its species. Resin is a protective substance that helps to shield cannabis plants from damage. Resin production is a defense mechanism that helps to protect the plant from pests and predators in the wild. If you smoke marijuana in a bong, you will see the residue of resin that is left behind.
When the heat of the sun or lights begins to warm the resin, it slowly flows over the buds and leaves, creating a protective barrier against moisture loss, heat loss, and damage.
Resin is where all the good stuff is, so you want your plants to produce as much as possible. Resin is a sticky substance that is secreted by the trichomes. It contains cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds that are essential for the enjoyment of marijuana.
Super Cropping Leads to More Resin Production
As stated before, marijuana plants are all about number one. They will work to protect themselves from dangers that could lead to their death, and one of their methods of protection involves resin production.
When cannabis buds are dripping with sticky resin, this means there is going to be a much higher potency of THC. You want as much THC as possible when enjoying a good smoke. To ensure your plants produce as much THC-laden resin as possible, consider super cropping. This technique can be used if you grow outdoors in Oregon or Indiana, and if you grow indoors in Wyoming or South Carolina. Super cropping is not for everyone, but those who swear by it have experienced great increases in their annual yield.
How Does Super Cropping Work?
Any time a marijuana plant suffers damage, the plant’s internal protection mechanisms go into overdrive. By slightly damaging the plant, in the right way, you can help to increase resin production without causing any real harm to your marijuana plants.
Before you start bruising your plants or causing breakage intentionally, it is imperative you fully understand how to carry out the steps involved in super cropping. Doing so without knowing how could lead to plant death and a complete loss of your harvest.
Why Consider Super Cropping?
There are a few different reasons marijuana farmers choose to super crop their plants a few weeks before harvest or to control growth. By damaging the plant, you will cause it to grow wider instead of upwards. Growing wider allows for more surface area of the plant to be exposed to light.
Super cropping, as stated, also helps to produce denser buds that are dripping with resin and are much more potent in THC. The ultimate goal of growers is to produce the most resin and THC possible, so the smoke is more enjoyable and intoxicating.
Another reason growers use super cropping is to control the light intensity. Sometimes, marijuana plants can grow very tall. Some species of Sativa can grow up to twenty feet tall if left unpruned. If your plants have grown too close to the light source and there is no way to move the light, super cropping can lessen their height and prevent burns.
Are There Disadvantages?
No act you carry out in marijuana growing is foolproof. There are always risks and disadvantages.
Unfortunately, super cropping is not the right choice for autoflowering marijuana plants. If you have autoflowering plants, consider low-stress training as an alternative. You can attempt this technique on just about any other variety whether they are high-THC or high-CBD varieties.
Another disadvantage to super cropping is it can be highly labor-intensive for abundant crops. You do not want to have to super crop hundreds of plants.
The worst disadvantage of super cropping is the risks of catastrophic damage. Even if you do cause damage, all hope is not lost because it can often be repaired.
Super cropping is not overly complicated. Even the most inexperienced growers can easily super crop their marijuana plants within a few minutes. The good thing about super cropping is you do not even need any equipment. Your hands will work just fine.
1. Choose the branches
The best time for super cropping is during the vegetative stage when your cannabis plants have produced plenty of healthy stems. You will need to make sure to choose stems that are older and less tender, yet still pliable enough to bend.
If multiple colas are present, make sure to work within the area where they are growing. If there is only one cola present, you can work at the top of the plant.
2. Squeeze and Bend
When you super crop your plants, you will need to pinch the stem between your thumb and index finger and make sure to have a firm grasp. About two-thirds of the way up the stem, bend it until it is horizontal and pointing in the direction you want it to go. When you are squeezing and bending, apply slow and even pressure and do not move too quickly.
Those who are new to super cropping will sometimes use too much force and end up breaking the stem. Although this is damaging to the plant, it is possible to save the stem and prevent it from dying. Using grafting tape will help you to secure a broken stem and allow the plant to repair itself.
If you do make a mistake and break a stem, leave it taped for about a week. This “bandage” will help to prevent the stem from dying and will allow the plant to grow new plant cells to repair the damage.
While it is normal to see some discoloration at the broken site, you should not see any gray plant tissue. If the area is still gray, put the bandage back in place and check after another week. Eventually, the plant will produce a knuckle to repair the damage.
3. Tie Down
If you are trying to control upward growth, you should tie down the branches that are bent to prevent them from continuing to grow taller. Tying down the branches will also help to secure the weakened ones that have been damaged.
Super Crop According to Your Needs
Control Growth
If you want to super crop to control the growth of the cannabis plants, you must carry it out when the plant is over one-foot tall. Super cropping when a marijuana plant is too small will likely result in its death because the stems are way too tender at this point.
You should never try super cropping when your plants have reached the first week of flowering. By this time, the plant stops growing and puts all of its efforts into producing big buds. Super cropping helps to break down the plant and cause it to grow side branches, so it becomes fuller rather than continuing to grow upward.
Increase Resin
Should you want to try super cropping to increase resin, the best time is a few weeks before harvest. Marijuana plants produce the most resin during the final weeks of flowering, so this is the optimal time for super cropping. You must be especially careful when pinching the stems, so you do not cause any damage to the beautiful buds. If done correctly, this will make your Oklahoma grow room as productive as it can be.
Start Small at First
Until you have gained experience and have gotten a feel for how much pressure to apply, you should not use super cropping too much. Try it on one plant and then monitor the results to see how the plant responds. Over the coming weeks after super cropping, you will start to see changes in growth.
Although it is not difficult to super crop your plants, it does take practice. Many growers first practice on male plants, so they do not accidentally damage their best females. Once you have grown accustomed to the level of pressure to place on the plant, you will find the process very simple to carry out. If you are growing our premium feminized seeds, you will not have a chance to practice on any males so maybe consider trying on one of your tomato plants first to get the feel of it!
Do Not Be Afraid
While super cropping may seem intimidating, it is not difficult. Do not be afraid to try it out on your marijuana plants. It is one of the most effective means of increasing yield and resin, and you do not need any special tools or additives.
Conclusion
Super cropping is an excellent way to help increase the number of delicious buds you harvest. After putting so much work into growing cannabis, you undoubtedly want to collect as much smokeable weed as possible.
When super cropping is carried out at the right times and in the right places, it can help you produce a bountiful harvest that is dripping with potent resin. With just a little bit of work, you can reap significant benefits that last for weeks or even months. Try it out during the vegetative stage and see the progress your plants begin to make.
