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I read somewhere that you can bend a plant instead of pruning it.Apparently,this also causes the plant to branch out or prune itself without losing any grow time.My question is,"Does anyone know how this bending method is done,and at what stage of the plant should I bend.Is bending better than pruning?,Or,should I just prune them?"
Bending Vs Pruning
1. Pruning would be one of the last things you would want to do. The only time purning is a good idea is when you have an exceptionally bushy plant and the light can't get to the buds. Even then, most of the time you should still try to tie back fan leaves.
2. If you mean topping, I wouldn't suggest doing so. I have found that although I do get more budsites with toping the budsite from bending & tying seem to be larger and fuller and you keep the main colada which is usually a great size bud.
3. Bending & Tying is a very simple task, but takes a great deal of time because you have to bend & tie the plants almost every other day. The main goal is to train the plant into growing into a specific shape.
I usually start when the plant is about 6" tall and usually has 3-4 nodes showing. I usally take large yarn (it doesn't cut into the plant) and tye it about 2/3rds the way up the plant and then pull the top of the plant over almost to a 90 Degree angle. (If you have a stiff plant you may have to do this is a few steps each day to get it there) then I tape or tye the yarn to the side of the growing pot.
After a few days of this, the top will start to grow streight up again. I then adjust the first tye and then add another one to pull the top back over. I keep doing this method adding more tie locations as I veg. I Have found it to be good to completely untie them after about a 7-10 days of training and leave them untied for a day or too. This strengthens them even more. Then start the training again.
I stop the training after about 2 weeks into flowering and then let them go.
This process allows many of the secondary growth start to grow upward much sooner than normal creating really more of a bush instead of a single stalk plant.
I will try and get some pictures up that I have of this process in a day or so.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Later
JRF
I couldn't have said it better.I did this with my somango and it totally work.The top slowed and the branches reached for the sun ,1 of them is now a huge 4 foot bush with 2 main stocks.Remember thats not from topping.It's from tying it over.I would never top a plant after seeing that because you still get a huge cola or 2 without the hieght!!
So,what you're telling me,I should not ever top my plant but,just bend it and let mother nature take its course.Thus resulting in a healthier bushier plant with more yield?...BTW,buddy came over the other day and told me,"You NEED to TOP the plant when it gets to the fourth node.Other wise it will grow skinny and die.Now,this buddy has bin doin' this process for some time.He has come over with some of his crop(which wasn't too bad)not the greatest but,at least it got you buzz'd.My plants are just getting the second set of leaves,and usually at this time ,my plants just fall over and die.I don't want this to happen.So,any more kind of advice will be much appreciated.Thanx to all of you Hoo have given advice.
I posted this before but here it is again.Quote:
Originally Posted by roachclip
I think there is miss information being spread around lately about topping plants.
1. not all strains take to topping thatâ??s a fact.
2. Those strains that donâ??t recover well when you top them you should bend those.
3. Topping will increase yieldâ?¦â?¦.yes thatâ??s a fact considering the short controlled indoor cycle. The same logic applys to outdoor grow as well though.
4. The main cola is the best potâ?¦..I donâ??t think so, If you mix the main cola with a branch bud you will not know the difference when you smoke them blind.
5. The main cola is denser budâ??sâ?¦.Correct the main cola is denser then the rest of the buds. Does that mean itâ??s better pot? Like I said before itâ??s denser but not necessarily better quality overall.
6. Bending will increase the THC of the buds and topping decreases the THCâ?¦.Bull shit!
THC is as much genetics as environment. You can increase the THC content (%) by several wayâ??s and whether you top or tie them down does not affect the end THC level on itâ??s own. There are many other factors, you being the biggest influence on your plants overall health.
By removing the mail cola between the 4th & 5th node in early vegetation stage will keep the plant shorter and bushier. This works to keep the plants shorter thus better for indoor growing. You can grow in cabinets and still yield a pound or more with a SCOG method of growing. The main cola contains the anit-oxidant that controls height and other factors of the plant. (Think of it as the controller) when you remove the control everything is running on their own clock and time, but still moving in the same directions.(simple version) The lower braches will have time to grow and catch up with the rest of the branches and the yield will increase accordingly. The potency is not affected by cropping. The THC content is the same grown in like conditions. You increase the THC content of the trichomes by adjusting the environment and proper management of the nutrients. Like stop feeding (N) the last 2 weeks makes the plant use up stored chlorophyll and that will improve the over-all taste and quality of the bud.
You see there are other ways and bending is not for every strain and circumstance. You bend outdoors when you need to like when you are hiding the plant and need to keep it in the light and out of site. You can bend when you have limited side spacing and the light is mostly top, like other plants hiding the early and late sun. You crop outdoors when you have room for the sides to grow out and have full light but donâ??t have the height and need to hide. Yield will be proportional to the branch areas receiving light. Cropping does need air flow due to the denser foliage where bending does very well with little air movement. I guess air movement is also an important consideration when deciding to bend crop or just let it go.
Try a side by side your self and then grow how you need to or want to but donâ??t be down on people who crop unless you know what you are missing. I donâ??t think you have grown weight yet, but you will I have no doubt of that. So you see only different reason and there is still no definitive right or wrong way only options to choose. One may fit your needs the other may not. Most old school hippy growers say never cut the main cola all the Juju is there. Some of us have moved past that and into growing trees and using meters and computers to control everything. Sometime thatâ??s overboard too trust me. Again all those tools are just another method of growing the same plant. Donâ??t get to set on growing one way you are missing half the fun.
Take care, happy growingâ?¦..give cropping a try once or twice and donâ??t settle for anything less then the perfect harvest time.
So be it.Bending will be the proper way to maintain the plants.Besides,I am growing on a balcony where i do not want anyone to see my crop(especially,U Kno hoo!!!).Thanx to all hoo have posted comments for this certain topic.I have found all those hoo have posted a comment,very knowledgable in knowing what the ups and downs of proper mainteance in caring for our BUDS.Thanx again.
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Looked out the window,down upon that street
And,gone like midnite was that man
But,I see his six strings laid against that wall
And all his things,they looked so small
I got my fingers crossed on a shooting star
Just like me,he just moved on
The Wallflowers
Peace out...
Just started bending mine...they are giant bitches must control them!!!
Give tressling a try for growing in small controlled spaces. That was covered on my last show too btw. For growing like you are doing that is what I would do.
Hey Zandor,
I have been reading thi site day and night and have yet to figure out what a node is. are you talking about where the leaves sprout off the stem? any pics would help me greatly. If there is something on here specifically on here about this send me a link cause i cant find anything directly. Thanks in advance.
point at which leaves and branches connect to the mainstem.