Top Tips On Plant Training

The first 4 weeks

Once you are set in your ways as a grower, it can be very hard to turn back on your current methods, especially when a lot of the growing is kept secret and techniques are not so quickly shared. I have been growing for over half my adult life and in the last few years have changed my grow game so much, that I have gone full circle and now can share with you what is the best way to start your plants off and grow during veg. You will learn about the importance of root development and low stress technique (LST) as these are the main focus. This article is based on a shorter vegging period of around 28 days but of course can be applied for longer if need be, however is all about growing huge root masses and tough woody plants.

Low Stress Technique (LST)

This is the best way to encourage multiple tops growing on a plant, without having to pinch out and wait for the new shoots to recover whilst the plant focuses its energy, on the lower shoots and leaves. By simply tying down the main shoot which is responsible for upwards growth, the remaining smaller shoots will react and grow up to become the newest dominant growth tip. The bent down shoot will grow back upwards and will then grow along side the other shoots which will have more of a presence than before. I always tie my plants down and snap the stem even at a young age to promote a tough sturdy plant. When I use low stress techniques, I prefer to tie the plants down once then when they grow back tie down again. Mainly to promote rigid thicker small branches. These will grow like they are in flower and look lumpy and woody to rub and touch. Try and focus on growing a plant with 6 to 8 main heads growing. Instead of going for as many tops as possible, just allow all of the other lower shoots a chance to really grow into something special, as opposed to a smaller nug that would have weighed a few grams at best. This technique only takes a few minutes to perform and within 36 hours you will see the main head of the plant grow back upwards. After this point you have trained the plant to now grow with more vigour.

Pinning Down With Metal Wire

The best way to perform this technique is to use the same wire that is used for bonsai plants. You want the metal to be the bendy but thick stainless steel so it will not rust when wet. To create a 5cm long pin, cut off a 10cm piece of wire and fold in the centre in half. Ensure the end is large enough to pin the stem down without it crushing it or causing it discomfort. I do not pin the stem to the soil but leave a good inch or so. The plant will grow like a multiple candle stick holder and the supports you put in now will act like scaffolding. Before you decide how you will tie the top shoot down, you should make several thin metal pins from wire and similar to bonsai train the shoot to go one way or the other. Depending on how much of the soft wood stem I have to play with, I can make the stem curve around on itself or make a letter ‘ S ’. This is a really great way to grow super tough woody plants from a very early age and perfect chance for all of the new growth to have an open space to grow upwards into. You can get quite creative with this method and even have your own shape, of where you want the plant to grow. It is all about making a miniature hard wood structure that has a tough feel to it. When your plant grows there will be so many pins and such demand on the plant that you will notice the plant will have some stretch marks, around where the plant has been twisted and pinned and there is a serious demand for the plant to grow bigger and tougher. It is very important to also remember to remove any of the original metal pins you used. The reason why is I have had plants that grew so thick and strong they ripped themselves out of the metal rods in the soil, yet nearly cut themselves in half in the process. Cannabis plants have an immense ability to grow through many things so once your plants have taken a nice shape, safely remove the old pins and save for a future grow.

Snapping Stems

This goes hand in hand with pinning down and will really make the plant woody and lumpy. The principal behind snapping the new shoots is to break the inner walls so they must be repaired. Hormone is sent to repair and once the inner tube has formed a stronger natural barrier, similar to a broken bone it has now healed thicker and permanently. The difference with plants and humans is the repair hormone inside the plant continues to be sent for the remainder of the plant's life cycle. You only want to apply enough pressure with your thumb and fore finger at the early stage and even a pinned down shoot can have a break in the point where you have pinned down and turned 90 degrees. So if you imagine all of the tied down stems have been turned 90 degrees left or right and have a kink in the stem naturally. All you will do is apply more pressure for a few seconds and lock the bend in place with the metal wire.

Air Pruning In Small Pots From 2 Or 4 Inches

I recently covered an article that explained the importance of air pruning. As you can see from the pictures all of the plants are grown in a 2 inch square fabric pot. I believe that the air pruned thick mass of roots I get this way within the first few weeks, will set me up to grow large based stems that will then fill out my larger fabric air pots. You would not think that the trained plants in these pictures are growing in only 2 inch sized pots, yet this proves how the infrastructure of a root zone is the difference maker in the right start for your plants. The roots are totally packed out and when I will transplant into my medium of worm hummus, coco and perlite, They will really max out and dig themselves deep as they continue to prune for the entire grow.

Microbes

If you really want a fast growing root base, then you need to invest in some beneficial bacteria. By adding microbes that have been aerated and fed some type of food source during the brewing process, you will create a symbiotic relationship with the roots and the microbes. In return the microbes will make the breakdown of foods on the medium quicker and more efficiently, helping to outsource what necessary food the plant requires at that time for its building blocks. The way to make sure your roots have a healthy supply of microbes is to simply get a bucket and fill with water. Get an air stone or air hose from a fish tank and aerate the water. Add the required amount of spores into the bubbling water and then add a food source high in carbs for the microbes to feed on as the multiply into millions and billions of little helpers.

Organic Compost Tea

It can sound complicated and something your grandparents would make, however these are what supercharge the medium and keep the microbial life thriving. Not only do these really boost the plant's vigour and plant health, they will contain all of the essential elements the plant needs and more. To keep it simple the way to make these is the same as when brewing microbes yet you will add organic matter like manure or nettles to your bubbling water. The microbes present will be activated and thrive off the oxygen supply present. When fed back to the plant, the roots will thank you for it but either way get use to aerating your nutrients for a good 24 hour period prior to feeding. The best thing about mastering organic compost teas is the difference in taste of your final buds. Many growers choose to use only in flowering to increase bud production but using it in veg can offer a serious helping hand. I personally use a worm hummus tea and then will add a high Phosphorus Bat Guano into the nutrient solution as it is bubbling. After a 24 hour period, I remove the foam off the top and strain the aerated tea.

Removing Fan Leaves

In my opinion I do not see the benefit of removing fan leaves or any leaves that seem like they are blocking direct light. I would always recommend to keep all of the leaves on as they are a fundamental in the plant's design to produce sugars. You can even tie down fan leaves and encourage them to grow underneath themselves, yet they must still act like a solar panel wherever they are on the plant. Use your judgement if you really must move a large stubborn indica leaf to allow others to grow but really if you can tie the plants down at the earliest stages as covered above, then there should always be a way to ensure an even amount of light. This is one part of mastering plant training and canopy control.

Foliar Feeding

Something that is very important for the plant and another way for it to absorb the nutrients it wants. The roots of the plants are responsible for feeding the rest of the growing cannabis plant, however feeding with a seaweed or mild molasses foliar spray can turn the plant to a lush healthy vibrant green. This is a good way to get the young plants use to feeding and also a great way to buy some time to allow the medium to dry out between feedings. Many farmers spray their crop with an ortega extract that has been proven to kick in the plant's immune systems. When making a foliar feed, it is a good idea to only add a small amount of molasses or seaweed or fish mix to your spray bottle. If the spray mixture is too thick it can stain plants and even lights so be careful when using a thicker nutrient to mix with. Lift plants up and make sure you can spray underneath them also and cover the entire plant. Only spraying on top works fine but if you can spray up and around the plant, it will really thank you for it as it grows with its leaves pointing towards the sky.

Break Roots Upwards

An excellent way of promoting wild root growth when re potting the block of roots from your air pruned pots. It sounds like a bad move to disturb all of those soft white delicate roots, yet these roots can take a good breaking apart and sending in new directions. Creating a large root mass that can be attached to new medium and grow without any restrictions is one way to ensure your roots and stem are on their way to maximum potential. Commercial gardeners use this technique all the time and it is something the old school farmers used for centuries. Get use to being hands on with the top end and bottom end of your cannabis plants. They can take a lot more handling and helping than you think! I hope these tips give you the chance to grow elite plants and start those precious seedlings and clones off the best possible way. The preparation to getting them to become monsters all happens here not just when they have been flowered. Good Luck and Peace Out! Text: Stoney Tark