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Cannabis
Training Methods
by Jason Mispagel , contributing writer
Jason Mispagel is the co-owner and operator of Year-Round Garden , a grower ’ s supply center serving both home and commercial customers since 2016 . His extensive growing experience in hydroponics and soil dates to the early days of legalization in Colorado , where he served as one of the state ’ s early caregivers . Year-Round Garden . 1225 W 103rd St , Kansas City , MO . 816.216.6917 – FB : yrroundgarden ● IG : @ yrroundgarden
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’ m not sure how many times I ’ ve said , “ There ’ s no one RIGHT way to do something ,” but when it comes to training and pruning cannabis , that phrase couldn ’ t be more relevant . It ’ s truly a matter of preference and circumstance . Artificial manipulation of plants by humans is simply unnatural , so there ’ s no “ one right way ” to do it .
For thousands of years , cannabis has evolved to grow in a manner that gives it the greatest chance of perpetuating its existence in the natural environment . That means male plants spread pollen to female plants . Seeds are formed , dropping to the ground , and growing anew the following year . Female plants ( the source of our medicine ) develop one dominant central node with numerous underlying branches , forming a Christmas tree shape . While that structure is optimal for protection against the elements and catching pollen , it ’ s not ideal for producing the maximum amount of unpollinated flower . That ’ s where training comes into play . By cutting , bending , and supporting , a single plant can double , triple , or even quadruple in yield , but the decision on which method ( s ) to use is all a function of time and space .
Let ’ s start by separating plant manipulation methods into two categories : Low Stress Training ( LST ) and High Stress Training ( HST ). LST methods involve gentle bending , tying down , or weaving branches so that
a greater number of bud sites receive direct exposure to light . HST , on the other hand , requires the grower to intentionally damage or wound the plant to achieve a similar goal . Both methods provide an opportunity to limit a plant ’ s vertical growth while increasing yield , which can be particularly helpful when cultivating indoors .
Low Stress Training ( LST ) Methods
LST can be implemented at any point throughout a plant ’ s life cycle , but its impacts will be more dramatic when performed earlier in the vegetative stage of growth . That ’ s because the plant will be easier to manipulate when its shoots and stems are younger , and it ’ ll have more time to grow into the pattern you ’ ve designed for it .
Tying Down : Any flexible material that you have lying around the house can be used for
Rubber-coated plant wire . this method ( i . e ., twine , string , pipe cleaners , fishing line , etc .). Either cut holes along the