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Plant training: Difference between revisions
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The main concept of
== Topology ==
LST should be applied as soon as the plant has 2 nodes as this is when it is flexible and not brittle. One of the best options with LST is to try to make the main stem grow sideways so that most of the branches aren't in the shadow of the main canopy as they would be if the canopy is directly above.▼
The topology of a plant is simply a way to describe its shape in 3D space. The natural topology for most strains of cannabis is to grow straight up and produce a single large cola. This is determined somewhat by the branching behavior which changes at different life stages<ref>Architecture and Florogenesis in Female Cannabis sativa 2019
- http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00350</ref> By applying plant training techniques the topology can be made drastically different from the natural behavior.
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Natural topology.png|thumb|441x441px|Natural topology (early flowering). The vast majority of strains will naturally grow in this shape.|alt=|none]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;">[[File:Plant with LST applied.png|thumb|Plant with LST applied to form a horizontal line|alt=|none]] </li>
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== Low-Stress Techniques (LST) ==
▲Some forms of LST
==
This is the most basic form of LST and usually consists of holding a stem down with Plant wire (a metal wire coated in rubber) attached to the plant's pot; generally, this requires the grower to make holes in the side of the pot. Plant wire can also be used to move branches by tying them to other branches when the plant is more mature. String can also be used to restrain branches but very thin threads may cut into the flesh of the branch.
[[File:Tying to the pot.png|center|thumb|Holes have been drilled in the sides of the pot to tie branches to]]
=== Fluxxing ===
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:LST-pinning-down.png|thumb|none|300px|Here, the plant is kept low to the soil with blue paper clips. See how the clips can be used to twist the main stem as it grows so that all nodes can emerge parallel to the soil]] </li>
▲Here paper clips have been used to pin the stem down as it grew. This greatly reduces the height of the plant. This method is more suitable to more compact mediums like soil as pins require some friction to hold the stem. Pinning should start as soon as there is a long enough stem to pin. You can grow a seedling in low light to increase the stem stretching in the seedling phase. This can increase the inter-nodal distance giving your branches more space later on in flowering.
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===Ponytailing ===
Ponytailing is the process of tying leaves up in a bunch together to remove the shade they create. This also leads to the ponytailed stem receiving less light and stretching more as a result. This can be done with small cable ties or paper clips at any point in the plant's life.▼
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▲Ponytailing is the process of tying leaves up in a bunch together to remove the shade they create. This also leads to the ponytailed stem receiving less light and stretching more as a result. This can be done with small cable ties or paper clips
===Lollipopping===
This is the process of stripping all small buds and leaves from a branch except those at the top so that the branch resembles a lollipop. The idea is that the plant will spend more resources on the cola at the top of the stem, as less is wasted on small buds (sometimes referred to as "popcorn" buds) that are in the shade of the main canopy. This technique is more suited to photo-flowering strains, as they have more time to recover from the process before flowering. As an alternative to lollipopping, smaller buds can be left to continue growing after an initial harvest of the main colas, until they are mature enough for a second harvest.
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ScrOG or Screen of Green is a training method where a large trellis (a.k.a mesh, screen, net) is placed over the cultivar so that the branches can be more easily shaped to form a flat canopy. This technique is often paired with mainlining.
▲Simply the process of removing access leaves. If there are too many leaves the humidity can become too high and also fan leaves that do not create buds can shade other branches that will bear buds. Take care to not prune when the plant is a few weeks into flowering as this will negatively impact yield.
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A method of planting a large number of plants so that there is a high density of cultivars under a trellis. A ScrOG with multiple plants.
== High-Stress Techniques (HST)==
===Topping===
Removing the growth at the top of a branch. This can be used to create two new heads at the top of the branch.
===Mainlining===▼
=== Fimming ===
[[File:Fimming topping.jpeg|thumb|Fimming]]
Similar to topping but the cut is made slightly higher up the stem. This results in 4 branches growing from the cut.
▲===Mainlining ===
By topping the main stem, one can create a manifold ('Y' shaped stem). This forces the plant to split resources between the remaining branches, creating a more even canopy. This should be done when the plant a) has at least three nodes, b) when it is healthy and c) while it is still vegetating. After creating a manifold, LST should be applied to maintain the shape of the plant.[[File:Tall fluxing.jpg|thumb|421x421px|This example shows a manifold in the centre and the stem being kept parallel to the soil by garden wire|alt=|center]]
== References ==
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