How Does Plant Training Affect Cannabis Yields?

Plant training and its impact on cannabis yields is a topic of great interest to growers seeking to maximize their harvests. By utilizing proper plant training techniques, growers can enhance cannabis yields and optimize crop productivity. This article will delve into the benefits of plant training for cannabis yields, explore the effects of different training methods on crop productivity, and provide insights into optimal plant training techniques.

Maximizing cannabis yields through plant training involves manipulating the growth of the plants to promote better light penetration, airflow, and the growth of multiple colas. By effectively bending, securing, and, at times, damaging or removing parts of the plant, growers can create favorable growing conditions that result in increased bud production.

Plant training not only boosts yields but also offers a cost-effective alternative to resource-intensive methods. With proper training techniques, growers can optimize their crop’s growth without requiring additional resources or equipment upgrades.

In the following sections, we will explore different plant training techniques, including low stress training (LST) and high stress training (HST), and discuss their specific effects on cannabis yields. We will also cover topics such as manipulating timelines, topping, FIMing, manifolding, defoliation, and supercropping.

By understanding the impact of plant training on cannabis crop productivity and adopting effective training methods, growers can unlock the full potential of their plants and achieve impressive yields. So, let’s dive into the world of plant training and discover the techniques that can help you boost your cannabis harvests!

Types of Plant Training Techniques

When it comes to maximizing cannabis yields, plant training techniques can play a crucial role. By manipulating the growth of the plants, growers can optimize light exposure, promote even growth, and increase overall bud production. There are different types of plant training techniques that growers can employ, each with its own benefits and considerations.

Low Stress Training (LST)

Low stress training (LST) techniques involve gently bending and securing parts of the plant to create a wide and flat shape. This technique promotes the growth of multiple colas and allows for better light penetration and air circulation within the plant canopy. LST can be achieved through methods such as general LST, no-technique plant training, and the screen of green (ScrOG) technique.

In general LST, tall stems are gently bent down and away from the middle of the plant, resulting in a wider and flatter plant shape. This allows for the growth of multiple main colas, increasing overall bud production. No-technique plant training, on the other hand, involves only bending the main stem over to allow lower branches to grow up and become main colas. This technique is simple yet effective.

The screen of green (ScrOG) technique utilizes a screen or net to train the plant and encourage it to grow in a flat, table-top shape. This technique ensures well-spaced bud sites and maximizes light exposure to all parts of the plant, resulting in increased yields.

High Stress Training (HST)

High stress training (HST) techniques involve damaging or removing parts of the plant to manipulate its growth and increase yields. Topping, FIMing, manifolding, defoliation, and supercropping are some of the popular HST techniques used by growers.

Topping and FIMing both involve cutting or removing the top of the plant’s main stem. This technique promotes the development of multiple colas, increasing bud production. Manifolding is a variation of topping where the plant is topped multiple times, resulting in a candelabra-like shape with multiple main colas. Defoliation, on the other hand, involves the removal of fan leaves to improve bud growth and enhance light penetration. Supercropping is a technique where the stem is bent to create even growth and increase bud production.

By employing these different plant training techniques, growers can harness the full potential of their cannabis plants, optimizing yields and maximizing the quality of their harvest.

Plant Training Technique	Description
Low Stress Training (LST)	Gently bending and securing parts of the plant to promote even growth and better light penetration.
General LST	Bending tall stems down and away from the middle of the plant to create a wide and flat shape.
No-technique Plant Training	Bending only the main stem to allow lower branches to grow up and become main colas.
Screen of Green (ScrOG)	Using a screen or net to encourage the plant to grow in a flat, table-top shape with well-spaced bud sites.
High Stress Training (HST)	Damaging or removing parts of the plant to manipulate growth and increase yields.
Topping	Removing the top of the main stem to promote the growth of multiple colas.
FIMing	Similar to topping, but removing only a portion of the top of the main stem.
Manifolding	Topping the plant multiple times to create a candelabra-like shape with multiple main colas.
Defoliation	Removing fan leaves to improve bud growth and light penetration.
Supercropping	Bending the stem to promote even growth and increase bud production.

Low Stress Training (LST) Techniques

Low stress training (LST) techniques are a valuable tool for cannabis growers looking to maximize their yields. By gently bending and securing parts of the plant, LST promotes even growth and improves light penetration, resulting in larger and more productive colas. There are several effective LST techniques that growers can employ to achieve optimal results.

Bending and Securing Parts of the Plant

One common LST technique involves bending and securing tall stems down and away from the middle of the plant. This creates a wide and flat shape, allowing for increased light exposure to lower branches. By redirecting the plant’s energy towards these lower branches, growers can encourage their growth and ultimately transform them into main colas. This technique is particularly effective for maximizing yield in plants with a tendency to develop a single dominant cola.

No-Technique Plant Training

For those looking for a simpler approach to LST, the no-technique plant training method can be employed. With this technique, only the main stem of the plant is gently bent over. This allows the lower branches to grow upward and become main colas, without the need for any additional manipulation. The no-technique approach is a great option for beginners or those with limited time or resources for more involved LST techniques.

Screen of Green (ScrOG)

Another effective LST technique is the screen of green (ScrOG) method. This technique involves using a screen or net to train the plant to grow horizontally, creating a flat, table-top shape. The screen is placed above the plant canopy, and as the plant grows, the branches are carefully woven through the gaps in the screen. This encourages the growth of multiple bud sites and ensures an even distribution of light. ScrOG is an ideal option for growers looking to maximize yields in limited vertical growing spaces.

By incorporating low stress training (LST) techniques into their cultivation practices, cannabis growers can achieve larger and more productive yields. Whether utilizing bending and securing methods, no-technique training, or implementing a ScrOG setup, LST provides a valuable means of maximizing the potential of cannabis plants. Experimenting with different LST techniques can lead to exciting discoveries and improved harvests.

High Stress Training (HST) Techniques

High stress training (HST) techniques involve damaging or removing parts of the plant to manipulate its growth and increase yields. These techniques, such as topping, FIMing, manifolding, defoliation, and supercropping, allow growers to shape the cannabis plant and optimize its productivity.

Topping – Topping is a widely used HST technique where the grower cuts or removes the top of the plant’s main stem. This encourages the growth of multiple colas, resulting in increased bud production. By removing the dominant apical meristem, topping promotes lateral growth and a bushier plant structure.

FIMing – FIMing (short for “fuck, I missed”) is a variation of topping where the grower pinches and removes a portion of the new growth at the top of the plant. This technique stimulates the growth of multiple main colas and is considered less stressful for the plant compared to traditional topping.

Manifolding – Manifolding is an advanced HST technique that involves topping the plant multiple times to create a candelabra-like shape. This technique allows for the development of several main colas, resulting in a highly productive plant. By strategically manipulating the growth of the plant through topping, growers can achieve maximum yields.

Defoliation – Defoliation is the process of selectively removing fan leaves from the cannabis plant. By thinning out the foliage, growers improve light penetration to the lower bud sites, leading to better overall bud development. However, it is crucial to practice caution when defoliating as removing too many leaves can stress the plant and hinder its growth.

Supercropping – Supercropping involves gently bending the stem of the cannabis plant to promote even growth and increase bud production. By manipulating the plant’s structure, growers can create more space for light exposure and improve the overall health and vigor of the plant. Supercropping is particularly effective for managing height and increasing yields in indoor cultivation settings.

Benefits of High Stress Training (HST) Techniques

High stress training (HST) techniques offer several benefits for cannabis growers. By selectively damaging or removing parts of the plant, growers can shape and manipulate its growth, resulting in increased yields. Here are some key benefits of using HST techniques:

• Promotes the growth of multiple colas, increasing overall bud production
• Improves light penetration and air circulation, leading to better bud development
• Allows for better space management in indoor cultivation settings
• Enhances the overall health and vigor of the plant
• Optimizes yields without the need for additional resources or equipment upgrades

However, it is important to note that high stress training techniques can be more demanding and stressful for the plant compared to low stress training methods. Growers should exercise caution and closely monitor the plant’s response to ensure it remains healthy throughout the training process.

Conclusion

Plant training is a game-changer when it comes to maximizing cannabis yields. By skillfully manipulating the growth of the plants using techniques like low stress training (LST) and high stress training (HST), growers can unlock the true potential of their crops.

With LST, cannabis plants can be gently bent and secured to promote even growth and increase light exposure. This technique helps create a wide and flat shape, encouraging the growth of multiple colas and optimizing bud production. On the other hand, HST techniques involve strategically damaging or removing certain parts of the plant to manipulate its growth. Topping, FIMing, manifolding, defoliation, and supercropping are all effective HST methods that can result in greater yields.

By carefully implementing plant training techniques, growers can achieve higher cannabis yields without the need for additional resources or equipment upgrades. Proper training promotes better light penetration and air circulation, ultimately leading to healthier and more productive plants.

If you’re a cannabis grower looking to maximize your yields, plant training is a skill you should definitely explore. With dedication and the right techniques, you can unlock the full potential of your cannabis crop and take your yields to new heights.

Source Links

• https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-plant-training
• https://www.marijuana-seeds.nl/blog/cannabis-plant-training-a-guide-to-help-improve-your-cannabis-grow
• https://budtrainer.com/blogs/learntogrow/training