Pruning is an essential practice for any cannabis grower looking to maximize their plant's potential. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced grower, the following tips will help you cultivate healthy, thriving cannabis plants.
Selective Pruning Techniques
Two of the most popular selective pruning methods involve the creative cutting of the plant to encourage lateral growth, which ultimately leads to more abundant yields.
Topping
Topping is one of the simplest and most effective methods of cannabis pruning. This technique involves removing or "topping" the plant's main stem, which encourages the growth of two new main colas rather than one, thereby increasing the plant's yield potential.
To implement this technique, wait until your plant has at least 5-6 nodes, then simply cut off the newest node on top. The plant will redirect its energy from growing one main stem to developing two new ones. The benefits of this technique include a higher yield, as already mentioned, and a plant that is easier to manage in terms of height.
FIMing (F**k, I Missed) Technique
FIMing, a cheeky acronym for "F**k, I Missed," is a pruning method related to topping yet distinctive in its outcomes. While topping involves cutting off the entire top of the growth tip, FIMing requires only partially cutting the newest growth, leaving about 20% behind.
This technique is called FIMing because a grower discovered it by accident when missing his cut while topping. The advantage of this method is that it can produce four new colas instead of the two achieved with topping, leading to an even higher yield. However, it may cause the plant a little more trauma than topping, so it's essential to monitor the plant's response and adjust your pruning techniques accordingly.
LST (Low-Stress Training) Methods
These low-stress training techniques manipulate the plant's physical structure to maximize light exposure and ensure optimized health and growth of the cannabis plant.
Main-Lining
Main-lining is a trimming technique designed to utilize the plant's natural growth hormones to your advantage. Through this method, you can distribute the plant's hormones evenly, ensuring equal growth.
The first step in the main-lining process is to top your cannabis plant after the third node. This encourages the growth of two main colas. From here, tie these two branches down so that they grow horizontally, allowing the lower branches to catch up. Follow this process by topping the two main colas, and repeat until you achieve eight evenly distributed colas.
Super-Cropping
Super-cropping is another LST method that involves gently pinching and bending the plant's branches until you hear a slight crack. This technique creates knuckles in the stems that will help the plant to better absorb nutrients and ultimately produce more potent flowers.
To super-crop, identify the branches that are growing taller than others and gently squeeze them between your thumb and index finger. Next, carefully bend the branch to a 90-degree angle. It usually takes around a week for the plant to recover and produce a knuckle at the bend.
The benefits of super-cropping include increased light exposure to the lower branches, broader and more even canopy, and production of more potent buds. It is critical, however, to apply this method carefully to prevent irreparable damage to the plant.
Advanced Pruning Strategies
These cutting-edge techniques involve a deep understanding of the plant's growth cycle and a willingness to experiment.
Defoliation
Defoliation is a technique that involves removing some of the larger, older fan leaves from the plant. The theory behind this method is that by removing these leaves, the plant channels more of its energy into bud production, thus increasing yield.
To defoliate your cannabis plants, start by identifying larger fan leaves that are blocking light to lower buds. You’ll want to do this just before the flowering stage and again during the third week of flowering. It is crucial to remember that leaves are essential for photosynthesis, so only remove those that are blocking light to other parts of the plant, and never remove more than 20% of the leaves at once.
Monster Cropping
Monster cropping is a strategy that takes advantage of the plant's natural response to stress. It involves taking clones from a flowering plant and then re-vegging them to create super bushy plants with many tops.
To use the monster cropping method, begin by taking clones from a flowering plant that's been in the flowering stage for about two weeks. Transplant these cuttings and switch them back to the vegetative stage lighting schedule. These clones will start to grow with many shoots and an intense bushy growth pattern, leading to many bud sites and potentially a higher yield.
Pruning for Pest and Disease Management
Unsanitary tools and methods can introduce harmful pathogens into your plants, leading to diseases that can potentially ruin your entire crop. To keep your tools clean, sterilize them before each use by wiping them with isopropyl alcohol. You should also make sure to clean your hands and wear gloves when handling your plants.
Proactively pruning your cannabis plants can help reduce the risks of pest infestations and disease. One of the primary preventative pruning techniques involves removing the lower branches and leaves of your cannabis plant. This method, known as "lollipopping," increases airflow to the lower parts of the plant, making it less hospitable to pests and mold.
Pruning for Maximum Yield
Not all cannabis strains grow the same way, and therefore, the timing and frequency of pruning may differ. Broadly, cannabis strains fall into two categories: Indica and Sativa. Indica strains typically grow shorter and bushier, making them more susceptible to disease and requiring more frequent pruning. On the other hand, Sativa strains grow taller with more spacing between nodes, necessitating less frequent but precise pruning.
As a rule of thumb, regular pruning should begin in the vegetative phase once your plant has developed enough foliage. For Indica strains, this might be around the 4-6 weeks mark, while Sativas may take a little longer. You should then prune systematically throughout the growth cycle. Pruning too early can stress immature plants while late pruning can reduce the plant's recovery time and negatively impact growth.
The Science and Art of Pruning Cannabis
Pruning your cannabis plants is both a science and an art, and we've shared the latest tricks to prune your cannabis plants effectively. By mastering these techniques, you can increase your yield, manage pests and diseases, and optimize the health of your plants.
Remember that while these techniques can offer guidance, the best teacher is experience. Therefore, we encourage all home growers to experiment with different methods and share their experiences to contribute to the continually growing knowledge bank of cannabis cultivation.
