Different types of plant training can have a significant impact on cannabis growth. Some can increase yields by up to 50%, while others will cause stress on plants that may negatively affect their health.
The type of training used should be based on the grower’s goals and priorities. Both high stress training (HST) and low stress training (LST) are effective in shaping the plant, but each method has its pros and cons.
Low-stress training (LST)
Low-stress training (LST) is a simple technique for increasing the size and quality of your cannabis crop. It involves bending stems and branches of your cannabis plant into certain shapes that help to direct the growth of your plant.
When done correctly, LST can greatly improve the yields of your crop. However, it is important to remember that this training method can cause stress on your plants, so it is recommended that you use it with caution and be sure to select strains that are genetically stable.
The best time to start low stress training is when your cannabis plants are young and flexible. This makes it easier to bend their stems and leaves without damaging them.
You should also try to ensure that all of the branches receive an equal amount of light and air. This will ensure that your plant can grow at an even pace and produce bigger buds.
A basic LST technique consists of tying down all unruly branches with soft plant binds or coated garden wire. Make sure that the ties are not too tight or they may cut into your plants as they grow.
Topping
Topping is one of the most common techniques used by cannabis growers to boost yields and manage their canopy. The main reasons growers use topping include space management, hormone distribution and light efficiency.
Topping involves cutting off the growing tip of a plant during the vegetative stage. It aims to encourage the plant to grow more laterally instead of vertically, which can lead to larger buds and higher quality yields.
Many growers prefer to use a pruning scissors for this method, but pinching off the tops between fingertips is also effective. The most important thing to remember when doing this is to be patient and let your plants recover from the stress of being topped.
The best time to top your plants is when they are a few weeks into the vegetative phase and have developed between 3-5 nodes. This will give them plenty of time to heal and get back on track before they are ready for flowering.
If you top your plants too early, they can have a hard time recovering and you may end up with a lopsided plant. It will also take longer for them to reach their full height.
Some strains are particularly sensitive to topping, which can lead to stunted growth and fewer flowers. This can cause problems for the grower, especially if they have limited space. Likewise, it can increase the risk of hermaphroditism, which is when a cannabis plant produces both male and female flowers. Be aware of these potential issues and do your research before making a final decision on whether or not to top your plants.
FIMing
There are several techniques that can be used to promote the growth of new stems and colas near the top of your cannabis plant. Each technique has its pros and cons, but there are two that are most common: topping and fimming.
Both topping and fimming involve strategic cutting during the vegetative phase of the plant to promote the growth of secondary branches near the main central stem. While they differ in how each is done and how each plant responds, both methods can significantly improve yields.
Topping involves removing the newest growth from the plant’s major stem between internodes (i.e., the axillary bud) with a clean tool such as a razor blade or scissors. This cuts the stem at an angle so that two new, strong stalks will grow from where you cut.
By contrast, fimming consists of cutting right through the growing tip of your plant, resulting in four primary axillary buds shooting from the main tip and side shoots forming on the outside of the apical bud. The cut causes the apical bud to stop producing plant hormones that normally inhibit secondary growth, allowing extensive bushy branching to occur further down the cannabis plant.
As with topping, fimming should only be done during the vegetative stage of cannabis growth to allow plants time to get used to it before moving on to flowering/budding. This is because the apical bud will be damaged and will need a few weeks to recover.
Both topping and fimming are a type of high stress training (HST), so it is important to perform them at the correct stages of the plant’s development. Generally, it is best to wait until a plant has formed around 3-5 nodes before performing any FIMing or topping.
Manifolding
Manifolding is a method of plant training that allows you to spread out your cannabis plants’ main branches so that they can receive equal amounts of light and space. This technique is popular with growers who use a lot of lights since it can help increase yields without causing overcrowding.
The primary benefit of this technique is that it can boost the amount of bud growth on your cannabis plants. As well as this, it can make your plants look much more uniform. This is especially important when you are growing in a small room.
In addition, it can also save you time and money by allowing you to water less plants at a time. However, this technique can be a pain if you are not sure how to do it properly.
Another downside of this technique is that it can be stressful for your cannabis plants. This is why it should only be used if you are confident that your plants can handle the stress.
Low-stress training (LST) is a relatively simple plant training technique that you can use to improve your yield. This technique involves using small amounts of constant force to encourage lower nodes to develop and open up to more light energy.
LST can be applied to both indoor and outdoor grows and is a great way to boost your yields. Depending on the strain you choose and how well you apply this technique, it can even increase your yields by 50% ++!
The other benefit of this technique is that it can make your plants much more resistant to fungus and mould. It is therefore suitable for growers who live in wetter or colder climates as it is an effective defensive measure against mold.
Sea of Green
Sea of Green (SOG) is a technique of growing Cannabis in small containers that are filled with closely packed plants. This method produces high yields in quick cycles and is a popular choice for commercial growers.
It also requires no training during the flowering period, making it a great option for newbies. However, it can be difficult to control the size of your crop. This is because a low-stress training technique is required to keep the plants from growing too tall and causing overcrowding and overgrowth.
To achieve a successful Sea of Green harvest, it is essential to use a strain that is suited to this type of cultivation. This means choosing an autoflowering cultivar that will flower fast and produce long heavy blooms.
Another important factor to consider is what type of soil you use for your grow. You want to use a medium that can hold plenty of water and nutrients, but is not soggy. It is also a good idea to have a tray that can flood and drain, so that the roots of the plants are well distributed.
If you choose a hydroponic set up, you can place a tray that contains a water reservoir and nutrient-filled water above the plants. The water will be able to circulate around the roots and feed them, which is essential for Sea of Green growth.
When selecting a Sea of Green strain, it is essential to choose one that has a thick main stem. This will help to ensure that all of the plants develop evenly, allowing for even light distribution and a more efficient grow. It is also a good idea to pick an indica-dominant variety. This will avoid having sativa plants that would impinge on the other plants.
