Training cannabis plants is just a way to get your plants as big as possible during the growth stage, allowing them to produce the biggest yields. If you are growing from seed or clone, applying cannabis training techniques at the right time will not only increase yields, but also the quality and size of the buds and maximize light efficiency. In this article, we cover all you need to know about training cannabis plants, including the 7 different techniques, the best time to apply plant training, what equipment you will need, mistakes to avoid and more.
What does plant training mean?
Cannabis plants are apical dominant, meaning they will flower and produce one main cola, with side branches. As a grower, it is possible to manipulate and change the shape and structure of your plants, causing them to grow bushier, or to focus on growing only big and dense top buds. Just like we can get big and strong in the gym, plants can do the same given the right circumstances.
The benefits of training cannabis plants
● Cannabis plant yields can be significantly increased.
● Plant training techniques are easy and inexpensive to perform.
● The growth structure of a weed plant can change allowing more light inside.
● Branches will become stronger when tied down producing strong plants.
● Topping cannabis plants will increase the number of growth shoots.
● LST allows plants to grow with a bushy structure, increasing yields.
● Stems that are super cropped during the growth stage will become strong.
● Training weed plants can help reduce plant height prior to flowering.
● Applying plant training from seed is an excellent way to grow big yields.
● Cannabis plants that have been trained will typically produce big sized buds.
● During the growth stage, the shape and size of the plants can be manipulated.
The different plant training techniques
Topping
Topping refers to when the crown growth tip is removed, leaving behind 2 auxiliary shoots. Pinching out is another name given to this simple plant training method and will also reduce plant height and enhance width and structure. This technique is quite easy to perform and can be done with fingers or sharp scissors.
Fimming
This is an old-school technique that requires cutting away 75% of the top shoot with scissors and leaving behind the bottom part. The result is that the side branches and lower growth consume the plants’ energy until the original cut shoot grows back and new growth commences as normal.
L.S. T
Low stress technique is a way of tying side branches and crown shoots down using string, wire or weights. L.S.T. can significantly enhance the size and shape of a cannabis plant’s canopy, allowing more light to reach the leaves and inner parts.
Super cropping
Super cropping happens when you take the stem or a side branch and purposely break the inner part. The cell wall breaks, and the plants send repair growth hormones to the broken parts. A thick and dense wooden knuckle will form around the break, causing plants to become strong and bushy.
Pruning
Pruning simply means to carefully and precisely strip away the leaves and growth shoots from part of the lower plant canopy. The plants will then focus their energy on the remaining top growth, reducing the production of small buds as well as improving air flow around the plants.
Mainlining
Mainlining is a complex and long-winded method of plant training that is best suited for more experienced growers, due to the amount of time and different training techniques that are used. It is basically an advanced way to grow enormous yields, but it can take time to get to that stage.
SCROG
Screen of Green, or SCROG, involves using a screen net to allow different shoots and growth sites to pass through. The goal is to produce a bushy canopy above the screen and totally prune away everything underneath the screen. Once flowered, SCROG cannabis plants can produce a heavy harvest.
What equipment will I need for training weed plants?
When it comes to equipment, you don’t really need to invest much money, and if you have a pair of sharp and clean scissors, a razor blade, thick gardening wire that has plenty of flexibility and a screen with chicken wire for SCROG, then you are pretty much covered. The most important thing is to be clean and careful and try to inflict as little stress as possible.
The best time for training cannabis plants
The best time to train cannabis plants will be from week 3-4 of the vegetative stage onwards, and it is best to stop topping, fimming and super cropping once you have passed day 21 of 12/12. Attempting to train cannabis seedlings may not work well and can even cause some plants to become badly damaged or even die in the process.
3 Common mistakes to avoid
1. Not letting plants recover
Allowing your cannabis plants to fully heal from any stressful training techniques is a key part of plant training. Stems that have been super cropped, or tied down should be left alone until they are firm. Performing different techniques on plants without sufficient recovery time may cause damage and unnecessary stress.
2. Using thin wire
At the time, thin gardening wire may work just fine at tying side branches down, however thin wire can also have a tendency to grow through the stem. It is better to use thick wire that can be easily tied and made loose if necessary, as this will also stop the wire cutting through and into the hard wood branches.
3. Training after 12/12
It is best to perform all your plant training techniques during the growth period (18/6). You can get away with pruning until week 3 of 12/12, however any other high stress technique such as topping, fimming and super cropping will cause plants to become stunted and slow down growth and flower production. Avoid plant training late into the flower period if possible.
Atami’s Conclusion
There are many benefits to training your weed plants during the growth stage. Not only are you able to change the shape and size of your canopy, but you will also have an advantage when controlling plant height. Plant training is easy to do, and if you are a beginner or expert grower, the different techniques covered in this article, will allow a significant increase in yields, including more direct light getting to the leaves and inner parts of the canopy.
You do need to remember that some plant training techniques may cause more stress than others, and allowing time for the plants stems and leaves to recover is essential. Growing cannabis from seed is a great way to learn about the different training methods and learning which ones work best for you and your indoor garden. Good luck growing the biggest harvests of the best quality weed!
