Maximizing cannabis yields is a priority for every grower, from beginners to experienced cultivators. One of the most effective ways to boost your harvest is through plant training techniques. These methods, which range from gentle bending to more advanced cutting techniques, help increase light exposure, promote healthier growth, and ultimately improving cannabis yields. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of plant training techniques, including Low-Stress Training (LST), High-Stress Training (HST), and other strategies to optimize your plants’ potential. Whether you’re looking for beginner-friendly methods or more advanced approaches, you’ll find useful tips for enhancing your cannabis growth and achieving your best harvest yet.
Contents
Choosing High-Quality Seeds
Before you dive into any training techniques, it’s important to start with high-quality cannabis seeds. The foundation of a healthy plant lies in its genetics. High-quality, genetically stable seeds will respond better to various training methods, ultimately leading to higher yields. When purchasing seeds, make sure they come from a reputable source with a track record of delivering genetically stable varieties.
The better the seed, the better the plant’s chances of thriving. For instance, feminized cannabis seeds are often recommended for beginners because they eliminate the risk of male plants, which don’t produce usable buds.
For more information on choosing the right seeds for your grow, check out our Cannabis Seeds Page.
Introduction to Cannabis Plant Training
Training cannabis plants is crucial for maximizing yields. Training techniques help manage the plant’s growth, increase light penetration, and improve airflow, which all contribute to healthier plants and better bud production.
Training your cannabis plants is essentially guiding them in a way that allows them to grow in a more controlled, efficient manner. The main goals of training are:
- Enhancing light penetration: Ensuring the plant receives even light distribution across all parts.
- Optimizing airflow: Reducing the risk of mold and pests by improving airflow around the plant.
- Encouraging higher yields: By controlling the plant’s structure, you can produce more bud sites, leading to higher yields.
Training is not just about bending and shaping plants; it’s about helping them grow in a way that maximizes their potential.
Low-Stress Training (LST)
Low-Stress Training (LST) is one of the most popular methods for maximizing cannabis yields, and it’s beginner-friendly. The idea behind LST is to gently bend the cannabis plant’s branches and stems to create a more even canopy. By spreading the plant out horizontally, you allow more light to reach lower branches, encouraging them to grow.
How to Perform LST:
- Gently bend the main stem of the plant at a 90-degree angle. Use soft ties or wire to hold the plant in place.
- As the plant grows, continue bending the branches outwards, creating an even canopy.
- Tie down branches as needed to prevent them from growing too tall or unevenly.
Benefits of LST:
- Increases light exposure to lower branches.
- Encourages the plant to grow more side branches, which leads to more bud sites.
- No risk of harming the plant, making it ideal for beginners.
When Should You Start LST Training Cannabis?
It’s best to start Low-Stress Training cannabis when the plant is in the vegetative stage and has developed at least 3 to 4 nodes. This is when the plant has enough growth to begin bending and shaping without causing excessive stress, allowing you to promote side branch development and improve light exposure to lower parts of the plant.
Typically, this is around 2-3 weeks into the plant’s growth cycle. Starting early allows the plant to benefit from this technique, ensuring healthier growth and improving cannabis yield potential.
High-Stress Training (HST)
High-Stress Training (HST) methods, such as topping and FIMing, are more aggressive compared to Low-Stress Training (LST). These techniques involve intentionally stressing the plant to encourage it to grow more branches and develop a bushier structure.
Topping
Topping involves cutting off the top of the main stem. This forces the plant to grow two new main stems from the point where the cut was made. It encourages bushier growth and more bud sites.
How to Perform Topping:
- Wait until your plant has developed 3-5 sets of leaves (nodes).
- Sterilize your pruning scissors or shears to prevent disease or infection.
- Locate the top node of the main stem, and cut the top off just above the second node, leaving the remaining stem intact.
- The plant will respond by producing two new shoots from the nodes below the cut, creating a bushier structure.
FIMing
FIMing (F*ck I Missed) is a technique where you pinch or cut off about 75% of the main stem, instead of cutting the whole top off. This method typically results in multiple new shoots growing from the cut area.
How to Perform FIMing:
- Wait for the plant to have 3-5 sets of leaves.
- Use sterilized scissors or a sharp blade to trim about 75% of the way through the top of the main stem, leaving the remaining portion intact.
- Be cautious not to cut all the way through, as doing so could harm the plant.
- After a few days, you’ll see multiple new shoots growing from the cut area, resulting in a bushier structure.
Pros and Cons of Topping and FIMing:
pros
- Both techniques result in multiple main colas, which can significantly increase yield.
- Topping creates two primary stems, whereas FIMing can create multiple stems, increasing the number of buds.
Cons:
- These methods stress the plant and may temporarily stunt growth, causing a delay in flowering.
- They require a bit of practice, as improper cuts can harm the plant.
What is the Difference Between HST and LST?
While both Low-Stress Training (LST) and High-Stress Training (HST) aim to improve cannabis yields, they are fundamentally different in their approach and execution.
| Technique | LST (Low-Stress Training) | HST (High-Stress Training) |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Gentle bending and tying down branches. | Cutting or damaging the plant to promote new growth. |
| Impact on Plant | Minimal stress, plant continues growing smoothly. | Significant stress, may delay growth temporarily. |
| Difficulty | Beginner-friendly. | More advanced, requires care to avoid damaging the plant. |
| Main Benefit | Increases light exposure and promotes side branch growth. | Encourages bushier growth and more bud sites. |
Both methods can be used in conjunction to maximize your cannabis yields, but the choice depends on your experience level and growing conditions.
Both methods can be used together, for maximizing cannabis yields, but the choice depends on your experience level and growing conditions.
Manifolding: Combining Techniques for Optimal Results
Manifolding is an advanced technique that combines both LST and HST methods to create a balanced and efficient plant structure. This technique encourages the plant to grow multiple main colas by bending and topping the plant in specific ways.
Steps for Manifolding:
1. Start by topping the plant early to create multiple main stems.
2. Gently bend and tie down the stems using LST to create a flat, even canopy.
3. Continue training as the plant grows, ensuring the plant remains bushy and evenly spaced.
Manifolding is excellent for growers who have limited space and want to create a more uniform canopy with multiple colas, all of which will receive equal light exposure. It’s ideal for maximizing cannabis yields in a smaller space.
Screen of Green (ScrOG)
The Screen of Green (ScrOG) technique involves using a mesh screen to help the plant grow horizontally rather than vertically. This method works well for growers looking to maximize space and yield by encouraging lateral growth.
How to Implement ScrOG:
- Set up a screen or mesh netting above the plant, leaving some space for the plant to grow through.
- As the plant grows, gently weave the branches through the screen, keeping the plant’s canopy flat.
- Continue training the plant until the screen is full, then allow it to flower.
ScrOG helps maximize light exposure by creating a uniform canopy. It’s ideal for plants that are more vertically inclined, as it encourages them to grow horizontally, improving overall bud production.
The Sea of Green (SOG) Approach
The Sea of Green (SOG) approach focuses on growing many small plants close together, with a shorter vegetative growth time. This method aims to maximize the number of buds per square foot by forcing plants into an early flowering stage.
SOG Steps:
- Start with small clones or seedlings and grow them into small plants.
- Once the plants reach a certain height, switch them to the flowering stage.
- Keep the plants close together to ensure they fill the available space with buds.
SOG is great for growers who have limited space but want to maximize their yield by increasing the number of plants. It’s especially effective when used in combination with other techniques like LST or ScrOG.
Defoliation and Pruning for Maximizing Cannabis Yields
Pruning and defoliation are essential for maintaining plant health and improving yields. Removing excess leaves helps increase airflow, reduce the risk of mold, and allow more light to reach the lower branches.
Tips for Defoliation:
- Remove any large fan leaves that block light from reaching the lower parts of the plant.
- Cut back any small, unnecessary growth that doesn’t contribute to bud production.
- Avoid removing too many leaves at once, as the plant needs leaves to photosynthesize.
By regularly pruning and defoliating, you create a healthy, open structure that allows the plant to focus its energy on growing buds, not leaves.
Other Factors For Improving Cannabis Yields
In addition to training techniques, there are other factors that can help maximize cannabis yields:
Increase Container Size: Larger containers allow for better root growth, which in turn supports bigger, healthier plants.
Pot Type: Consider using fabric pots or air pots These types of pots promote better aeration and drainage for healthier roots.
Increase Light Intensity: Cannabis plants require plenty of light to thrive. Ensure you’re using full-spectrum lighting that’s strong enough to penetrate the canopy and reach all parts of the plant.
Conclusion: Maximizing Cannabis Yields with Training
Training cannabis plants is one of the most effective ways to increase yields. Whether you’re using Low-Stress Training (LST) for gentle shaping or High-Stress Training (HST) methods like Topping and FIMing, the goal is always the same: to create a plant structure that allows for maximum light penetration, increased bud sites, and better airflow.
It’s important to remember that every cannabis plant is different. Some strains may respond better to one technique over another, so be patient and observe how your plants react. Starting with good genetics, using the right training techniques, and optimizing your grow environment can lead to impressive results in both quality and quantity.
Cannabis training takes time and dedication, but the rewards are worth it. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grower, these methods can help you achieve your goal of maximizing cannabis yields.
FAQs
How early should I start training my cannabis plants?
It’s best to start training when your cannabis plants are about 2-3 weeks old, or when they’ve developed at least 3-5 nodes (sets of leaves). This is usually when the plant is in the vegetative stage and can handle the stress of training.
Is Low-Stress Training (LST) safe for all cannabis strains?
Yes! LST is generally considered a safe and beginner-friendly technique that can be used with most cannabis strains. It’s especially helpful for encouraging horizontal growth and increasing the number of bud sites.
Can I use Topping and LST together?
Absolutely! Many growers use both techniques together. Start with Topping to create multiple main stems and then use LST to spread the branches out horizontally, ensuring even light distribution and maximizing cannabis yields.
What are the risks of High-Stress Training (HST) like Topping and FIMing?
HST methods can cause temporary stress to the plant, which may delay growth or lead to stunted plants if not done correctly. It’s important to be gentle and precise when performing these techniques to avoid harming the plant.
How much should I prune my cannabis plants?
Pruning should be done sparingly. You want to remove any leaves or small growth that is blocking light or airflow, but avoid removing too many healthy leaves at once. Always leave enough foliage for the plant to photosynthesize and grow effectively.
When should I stop training my cannabis plant?
You can stop training when your plant has reached the desired shape and size. Most growers stop training just before or during the early flowering stage. After this point, it’s best to let the plant focus on producing buds rather than continuing to manipulate its shape.
