edges of your plant ’ s container or place a stake in your grow media . Then , gently bend the stem of your plant , so it ’ s at an angle anywhere up to 90 degrees . Use the flexible material you ’ ve chosen to tie it down to the stake or the holes in your container . The more extreme the angle , the more the plant will be encouraged to grow horizontally . As new shoots grow , you can continue to tie those down as well until you ’ re satisfied and ready to begin flowering . If you snap a stem when tying it down , don ’ t panic . Cannabis is particularly good at healing itself . Grab some tape from the kitchen drawer and simply tape the damaged area back together .
Screen of Green ( ScrOG ): As the name suggests , this method involves placing a screen over top of your plant ( s ). It can be rigid metal , a latticework of rope , a flexible trellis net , or any other material that allows for numerous openings large enough for branches to fit through . The screen will need to be supported in some fashion — most commonly by the poles of a grow tent or a custom frame built from wood or PVC . Place the screen above the top of your plant ’ s canopy . As the plant reaches the screen , gently weave it horizontally through the holes . When new branches begin to form , weave them as well so that each branch occupies its own hole . The height of your screen above the base of your plant ’ s stem is largely a matter of preference , but 12 to 18 inches is generally a good starting point . In some circumstances , with extremely large plants , a second screen may be added above the first to provide additional support .
High Stress Training ( HST ) Methods
HST should ( almost ) always be performed during the vegetative stage of growth . These methods do actual damage to the structure of the plant and therefore require significant time for recovery . The greatest benefit , though , is that it can dramatically increase a single plant ’ s yield .
Pruning : This is the one HST method that can be performed at any point throughout the plant ’ s life cycle . Each new cannabis branch is supported by a large fan leaf , aiding its early development . Because the new branch doesn ’ t have its own leaves yet to perform photosynthesis , it relies on the fan leaf for energy . Once the branch has developed leaves of its own , though , the fan leaf is no longer required and can be pruned , improving airflow and allowing light to penetrate the canopy , reaching lower bud sites .
Topping : Once the plant has grown at least a few nodes tall , cut or pinch off the entire top of the plant , leaving at least two nodes below it . Now , rather than having a single main branch , the node below where the plant
was topped will become primary . This can be repeated as many times as the grower chooses before flowering .
FIM ( F--- I Missed ): Once the plant has grown at least a few nodes tall , cut or pinch off about two-thirds of the young leaves on the newest developing node . Be sure not to cut through the actual stem at the base of the node . This method takes some practice to get right , but if done properly , it will turn what would have been a single bud site into four sites . This can be repeated as many times as the grower chooses before flowering .
Super Cropping : This method follows the same principles as tying down with one exception . Rather than gently bending
the stems , you squeeze and roll the stems between your fingers until the inner cell walls break down and they snap at a 90-degree angle . While this increases recovery time compared to traditional tying down , it also activates hormones within the plant that not only repair the damaged site on the stem but also contribute to enhanced growth throughout other areas of the plant .
Mainlining : By far one of the most aggressive HST techniques , this method requires at least five or six nodes of growth before it can begin . Top the plant above the third node . Then remove all growth from below the third node , leaving one stem with two branches at the top . Bend those two branches at a 90-degree angle opposite each other and tie them down . Once those two branches develop new nodes , top them as well and tie down each of their sets of branches . You should now have four tied-down branches . Continue this pattern for as long as you ’ d like before flowering .
Finally , it ’ s important to note that the methods we ’ ve discussed can be combined and don ’ t need to be utilized independently of each other . For instance , a common practice would be to top your plant after it ’ s a few nodes tall , turning one main branch into two . Then , once those two branches have developed a node or two , top each of those , resulting in four main branches . Repeat the process to continue doubling the number of branches until you ’ re ready to begin flowering the plant . In the meantime , a trellis net can be stretched across the top of the canopy , and each branch can be gently bent to fill a single hole . You ’ ve now combined the HST topping method to force additional primary bud sites with the LST ScrOG method to encourage horizontal growth and increase direct exposure to light . Throughout all stages of growth , you may also choose to implement the HST pruning method to remove fan leaves and lower branches , improving airflow and promoting the direction of energy towards upper nodes and bud sites .
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