When it comes to maximizing cannabis yields, pruning is one of the most important aspects of the growing process. Taking the time to prune your plants properly will help you increase canopy coverage, bud density, and overall plant health.
Pruning can be done in a number of ways, and each one has its benefits. It is important to be aware of the effects that different types of pruning have on cannabis yields, and how to implement them for maximum results.
Apical Pruning
Pruning is a process in which a grower alters the natural growth pattern of a marijuana plant with the goal of increasing its production. There are several different types of pruning techniques, but each has a unique impact on yields.
Apical Pruning
Apical pruning is a popular technique used by most growers to control cannabis height and increase production. It involves cutting the apex of the main stem to stimulate the formation of more side branches.
This technique is especially useful if you are growing in a small space, or if you have trouble keeping plants up high. When done correctly, apical pruning can help your marijuana plant achieve a more balanced growth structure and produce larger buds.
When pruning, it is important to sterilize your tools before using them. This will ensure that your cuts are clean and prevent infections from occurring.
It is also recommended to remove any leaves and branches that don’t receive enough light, so that the buds will be of higher quality. This will improve the overall yield of your cannabis plant and increase the amount of potency in your product.
Another type of pruning that can increase cannabis yields is fimming. This method involves making a cut at the third node, leaving four to six new main branches.
To get the most out of this technique, you should do it when your plant is already producing at least three nodes. This will give your marijuana a more stable structure and will make it easier for you to prune later.
FIM has the advantage of being an easy and quick method to maximize cannabis production. It is also a good option for growers who are short on time and need to quickly trim their plants before flowering.
When fimming, it is important to avoid cutting the entire tail of your marijuana plant, as this can encourage regrowth. In addition, you should wait until your plant has produced at least four nodes before pruning it.
When pruning, it is important to keep in mind that marijuana plants have specific growth patterns that are determined by hormones. When a terminal bud is removed, the auxins it produces are suppressed and the rest of the buds become stunted. This can change a cannabis plant’s growth pattern dramatically and can result in a decrease in the number of shoots and buds.
Lollypop Pruning
Lollypop pruning is a technique used by both indoor and outdoor cultivators to maximize the number of top colas and increase yields. This technique involves removing up to a third of the lower foliage that doesn’t receive much light, which leads to larger buds in the upper areas that absorb more sunlight.
This type of pruning is ideal for growers who have small spaces to work with and need to maximize yields. It also works well in conjunction with other growing techniques such as LST, HST, or Topping.
Regardless of the specific cannabis strain, lollipopping can improve yields, especially if you are using low-light growing methods such as SCROG or SOG. This can result in more efficient use of energy and improved airflow through the plant, which is important for a good quality flowering cycle.
The effects of lollipopping are most noticeable in the early stages of flowering. This is because plants are still stretching and producing multiple bud sites along shoots that will eventually develop into top colas (or lollipops).
A few weeks after reaching the end of the vegetative growth phase, a grower can begin examining their plants from a distance to see which parts of their canopy receive little to no light. Any leaves or young bud sites that are shaded by the lower parts of their canopy should be pruned away before starting to grow in the veg phase.
To start, growers will examine their plants and identify the main stalk or stem of each clone. Next, they’ll carefully look for any branches that are growing off these primary stems that have small bud sites.
Once these branches are identified, they’ll be cut off where they meet the primary stem, allowing the main stalk to continue growing. As soon as these lower portions of the canopy are removed, the bare main stem will quickly develop into one or more top colas.
Lollypop pruning is a very effective method to streamline and accelerate the development of new top colas and to expedite the production of fluffy buds. This is a great way to speed up the overall process of getting your crop ready for harvest and can result in significantly higher yields, even if you are using lower-light methods such as SCROG or SOG.
Scrooge Pruning
When it comes to cannabis pruning, the most efficient and most effective strategy is a balanced approach that removes unnecessary growth while encouraging healthy development in other parts of the plant. The result is a better yield and an enhanced plant that can be enjoyed for years to come.
In cannabis cultivation, pruning has many advantages including reducing the number of sites that mold and other critters can attach to your buds and leaves, and improving airflow & light penetration throughout the flowering process. Successful pruning also produces a more robust bud, and an increased percentage of cannabinoid-rich flowers.
Pruning can be an intimidating task for novice growers. However, with the right tools and a bit of planning, pruning can be an enjoyable process that you won’t mind spending the time on.
The most important part of pruning is to ensure you have the proper equipment, especially a sharp pair of shears that can cut cleanly without damaging the tissue underneath. It’s also a good idea to sanitize your shears before pruning, as this helps prevent the spread of germs that can cause serious harm to your plants.
One of the most common methods of pruning is trimming the central stalk of your marijuana plants. This is a clever way to encourage two new colas to appear, which can double your overall yield during flowering. Other methods include crowning your plants with a bud-making twig or removing the tops of your leaves to promote lateral growth. Of course, the best pruning method for your particular strain will depend on what you’re looking to achieve. Regardless of the method you choose, it’s always wise to prune your cannabis plants in small doses, as overdoing it can have a detrimental impact on your overall yield.
Low Branches Pruning
Pruning is a very common part of growing cannabis, but it has many effects on your plant. While some pruning is for aesthetic reasons, it also affects how well your marijuana plants produce buds.
One type of pruning is called low branches pruning, and it involves cutting off the tip of the stem to encourage stronger growth in lower branches. This technique is often used when space is limited and you’d like your plant to grow bush-like instead of vertically.
The goal of this technique is to promote the growth of multiple leaders instead of just one, which can help improve your bud production and yield. The top of the main stem is the location where the plant focuses its hormones, or auxins, to encourage stronger growth. When you cut off the tip of the stem, the plant will redistribute these hormones to other parts of the plant, encouraging strong growth in the lower branches and forming multiple leaders.
This is a great method for growers in small spaces who want to maximize their yields. This pruning will make your cannabis plants grow more evenly, allowing more light to reach all parts of the plant and producing more buds.
Another benefit of this type of pruning is that it can help you remove dead or dying leaves from your plant. This can help prevent the spread of diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and other problems that could lead to poor buds.
A final benefit of this type of pruning is that it allows you to create more space in the center of the plant, which can help increase your bud size and quality. By removing dead or yellow leaves, you’re giving the plant more energy to focus on the growing process and producing more quality buds.
This is one of the most important aspects of pruning and it’s important to do it correctly. The wrong way to prune your marijuana plant can make it produce fewer buds or worse, can even cause the plant to become sick and die. It’s best to avoid making these mistakes and do your research before you start pruning.
