There are different ways to prune your cannabis plant. Each way has its own effects on your crop’s yield. You want to make sure you choose the right method for your particular needs.
Lollipopping
There are several ways to prune marijuana plants. Each one focuses on different aspects of cannabis growth. The right technique for you depends on the size, growth rate and the strain you are growing.
One common approach is to remove lower, larger leaves. This reduces overall humidity and helps the plant channel its nutrients upward. It also decreases the likelihood of fungal pathogens. However, this can lead to stunted growth.
Another method is to cut off dead or unproductive growth. Depending on the size and strain of your plant, this can help you maximise your crop.
If you are new to gardening, you might want to try lollipopping. Lollipopping is the process of removing the lower branches of your cannabis plant. Lollipopping is a low-impact method that will enhance your harvest.
The goal is to maximise light exposure to the top bud sites. This increases photochemical production and cannabinoids. Also, it can enhance the flavour of the final product.
In addition to lollipopping, there is also FIMming. FIMming is similar to lollipopping, but it doesn’t cut as much of the plant’s height.
Generally, growers will use pruning in the upper part of their plant. They will remove branches that are too tall or don’t give the plant the proper amount of clearance.
Other methods include super-cropping and lateral shoot pruning. These techniques are effective in encouraging the development of main shoots.
You can also use ScrOG to help you create an even canopy. A wire cage can serve as a trellis and allows better light penetration.
Regardless of the type of pruning you choose, you should make sure to sterilize your scissors and wear nitrile gloves. Doing so can prevent fungal pathogens and reduce your risk of diseases.
Topping
Topping is a technique used to increase marijuana yields. By topping cannabis, you can achieve multiple even-sized floral sites, increasing the quantity of buds your plants can produce.
The process involves cutting the top portion of the plant, and then bending the growth tip sideways. This encourages more lateral branching, and therefore more bud formation.
Most growers top their plants a few times during the vegetative stage. However, topping is not always necessary. A few days after topping, your plant can be returned to the vegetative phase to allow it to recover.
When it comes to marijuana, one of the best ways to boost yields is to make sure your plants get plenty of light. By training your plants to grow horizontally, you maximize the amount of light they can receive.
For this reason, the main stem of your plant should be cut at least above the fifth node. If you cut too early, your seedlings may have a dramatic decline in growth.
Another method to improve your yields is by pinching. You can pinch single plants or spread them over an entire acre.
While pinching can help your plants, it is important to note that it is not without its risks. If your tools are not properly sterilized, they can cause infections. It is also a good idea to have an open flame nearby to disinfect the tool.
Topping can actually be stressful on a plant. It can cause some damage to leaves, and it can even stunt the plant’s growth. On the other hand, if you have a healthy plant, it can be a good thing.
In order to achieve the most significant benefits from topping, you need to use the right technique and the correct tool. Pruning scissors are a great option. Make sure the blades are sharp. Avoid using blunt or kitchen-style scissors. They could break your stem and leave a larger wound than you intended.
Controlled, moderate way
During the flowering phase of your cannabis plant, you may decide to prune some of the leaves to promote more flower growth. But excessive pruning can lead to a lower yield, so it’s best to only prune leaves you think are necessary.
Pruning is a simple but effective method for boosting the growth and production of your marijuana plants. It can also help you avoid a shock to your crop.
Before you begin your pruning, you should have several sets of leaves to work with. Aim to trim your plant at least 12 inches tall, so that it’s not too short. Also, make sure that it’s facing south to catch the best sunlight possible.
The first step is to figure out what type of cannabis you want to grow. There are many varieties out there, so you’ll need to choose the one that’s right for your area. Sativa and Indica hybrids have a natural branching habit and respond well to pruning.
If you want to prune your marijuana plant during its flowering phase, the recommended timing is the second week after the sprouting of the first set of leaves. This is when you should make the cleanest cut, so be sure to make the snips at a 45 degree angle.
You should remove any fading or yellowing leaves as well. Your focus should be on the lowest branches of your plant, but you should leave the most large fan leaves. These leaves are symbolic of your plant.
To do a good job, you should use a sharp pair of pruning shears. Not only do you want to make clean cuts, you also want to prevent pathogens from hittingching a ride to your crops.
Optimal time for harvesting
When it comes to harvesting your cannabis plant, it is important to make sure you are doing it at the right time. This is crucial as you can end up with a poor quality product if you do it too early or too late. The best time for harvesting your marijuana plant is when most of the pistils have changed colour.
Pistils are hair-like structures in a female marijuana plant. They have a milky white appearance, which is why they can be difficult to spot with the naked eye. But a magnifying glass or digital USB microscope can help you to check them out.
Trichomes are tiny resin glands found on the cannabis flower. They are responsible for the cannabinoid content of the plant.
To determine the optimal time for harvesting your cannabis plant, look for trichomes that have turned cloudy or amber. These trichomes are indicative of the amount of cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant.
In addition, there are several factors to consider. First, you need to take into account the strain and its growth period. Some indica strains have shorter flowering times than other varieties. You will also want to factor in weather and environmental conditions.
It is also wise to evaluate the feeding habits of your plant. A late-harvested cannabis will have a greener flavor and less terpene concentration. If you have been growing your cannabis plant with fertiliser, it is a good idea to remove it before harvesting.
Ideally, the minimum time for harvesting is when 50% of the trichomes have turned cloudy. This is an indication that the resin production has reached its peak.
However, there are some genetics that do not change trichome colors. If you are growing a sativa strain, the ideal time to harvest your marijuana plant is when a majority of trichomes are cloudy.
Defining clear guidelines and regulation mechanisms of chemical variability within inflorescences
Defining clear guidelines and regulation mechanisms for chemical variability within cannabis inflorescences is critical to maximizing CBD yields. The best method to measure this is to compare the concentration of CBD produced from various treatments. Fortunately, there are many tests that can be used to evaluate this. Several studies have highlighted the importance of defining guidelines.
One of the most common methods of examining the concentration of a cannabinoid is by measuring its concentration in the top part of the inflorescence. This is because the concentration of the cannabinoid is higher in the top fraction. However, this concentration is not the same as the total CBD yield. A more robust test is to measure the concentration of the cannabinoid in the mid and low fractions.
In order to determine the top inflorescence concentration, samples were taken from the lower third of the plants. These samples were freeze dried and ground to homogeneous powder. They were later stored at -80 degC. For validation, they were analyzed by LC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS. After this, the highest dry weight was determined using moisture analyzers.
It is also important to understand the difference between the inflorescence concentration and the total CBD yield. This is because the CBD concentration may decrease due to shading from higher branches. Nevertheless, the concentration of the cannabinoid can be measured in the top and mid fractions.
A further study showed that the total CBD-concentration of the inflorescences was significantly higher in the top fraction. This could be because the top fraction has more inflorescence biomass, which can be translated to higher CBD-concentration. Moreover, the total CBD-concentration of the inflorescences may be a small factor in determining the total yield. But, it should be noted that the top fraction does not always yield the best inflorescences.
