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What does training mean when we talk about growing cannabis? Don’t worry, you won’t need to take your plants to the gym or for a run around the park. It’s much simpler than you may have thought!
There are essentially 2 methods of training: Low Stress Training (LST) and High Stress Training (HST). Both training methods consist of different techniques, and each has their own pros and cons. In this article, we will discuss a variety of different processes to properly train your cannabis plants, resulting in higher yields and better herb overall.
Low Stress Training (LST)
Simply put, LST is the practice of bending and moving stems to form a more uniform plant. Most growers use this type of training to manipulate the plant exactly how they want it to look, whether that be an even canopy or growing a bonsai plant.
The overall goal of LST for the average grower is to create multiple bud sites that all get the same light intensity. Lighting is crucial for a successful grow, and with no training, you risk those lower bud sites not getting the light it requires.
Cannabis likes to grow vertically, much like a Christmas tree. LST breaks the apical dominance of the top cola, creating multiple main branches, and therefore a more even distribution of light. This creates a more bushy looking plant, rather than a Christmas tree.
Still not sure if you should Low Stress Train your plant? Well, let me ask you this: would you rather have just one branch with big and dense buds, or would you rather have multiple? The answer should be clear.
Different LST Methods
Basic Training
In order to begin LST, all you really need is some plant wire. We do not recommend using thin wire or string, as this may damage the cannabis plant. Here at The HighWay, we use soft wire ties which work perfectly, and they’re reusable! A more modern approach that has recently been gaining in popularity is the use of “training clips”. These clips are normally not adjustable and will need to be removed eventually before the stem becomes too thick for the clips.
SOG & SCROG
Another popular method of LST is simply using a trellis net, either string or elastic. This is known as SOG (Sea of Green) or SCROG (Screen of Green). These sound the same, and in many ways they are, but try not to get them confused. The SOG method uses a high number of cannabis plants with a short vegetative period. This method is useful for pheno hunting, or if you just want quicker turnarounds between grows. The SCROG method is just one or very few plants with a longer vegetative stage. The goal of SCROG is to achieve as many top colas as possible by continuously tucking them under the net, creating an even canopy with many bud sites.
Benefits of Low Stress Training:
- Bigger yields
- More uniform buds
- Total control over the shape and size of your cannabis plant
High Stress Training (HST)
Much like LST, High Stress Training (HST) is used to manipulate the growth of cannabis plants. However, unlike its low stress counterpart, HST applies more stress, meaning it is also riskier! We do not recommend HST until you have mastered LST (or at least have done it a few times). Some HST techniques have a likelihood of stressing the plant too much, causing hermaphroditism, nanners, or even flat out snapping an entire branch off.
Now that you have been warned, let’s go over some HST techniques.
Different HST Methods
Topping
This method involves removing the apical bud site. You can snip it off with trimmers (recommended), or simply pinch it off. If you plan on topping your cannabis plant, wait until it has 4-6 nodes as topping too early can dramatically stunt growth. We recommend topping a node or two down (at node 3 or 4) to aid in creating a more bushy plant with multiple main branches. Many growers just top their cannabis plant once, but you can certainly do it more if needed.
Super Cropping
This method strategically damages branches to redirect the plants energy and encourage lateral growth. Cultivators do this by pinching the stem and breaking the cell walls, causing the branch to fall over and lay horizontally. Be careful not to pinch too hard, as you may end up damaging the plant or even snapping a whole branch off. Many growers will also use this method if a cannabis plant is stretching too much vertically or is too close to the light source to avoid burning or bleaching their buds.
Main Lining
This method will create the most uniform and symmetrical plant, however the sacrifice is a longer vegetative period. Main Lining combines topping with aggressive LST to create multiple main branches of the same size. Due to multiple toppings and vigorous training, it will take time for the plant to bounce back after each time stress is applied. Main Lining is terrific in facilitating better light penetration and producing uniform buds on each branch.
Benefits of HST
- Improved light penetration & airflow
- More uniform buds
- Increased bud development
Should I Train My Cannabis Plant?
In short… yes!
However, we do recommend growing cannabis without any training for the first time or two. This will allow you to see how this plant naturally grows and reacts to different levels of stress. The structure of cannabis plants will vary from strain to strain, so many growers, especially pheno hunters and breeders, will grow each new strain without any training to see their true structure. Some plants might not even need any training if they are naturally bushy!
If you are new to growing cannabis or training cannabis plants, take it slow and find what works best for you and the strain you’re growing. Experiment with different techniques to see which you like best.
Training can be a lot of fun! People grow bonsai cannabis plants for this reason! It is truly wonderful to see how the grower can manipulate the plant to result in a desired outcome. Play around with all the methods you possibly can. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up having a lot of fun too!
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