stem growth

[tinytoon]

I normally grow from clones but have gone back to seeds to make sure I didnt lose a strain I was trying to grow. Is there anything the promotes STEM growth? I use GH Flora series and atm only using ph water and Superthrive, have a small fan moving air (which I know can help stregthen stems). Seedlings are about a week old and 1st true leaves are showing but didnt want to hit with nutes and get top heavy before having decent stems, any thoughts or tricks?

tinytoon Reviewed by tinytoon on 03-27-2009. stem growth I normally grow from clones but have gone back to seeds to make sure I didnt lose a strain I was trying to grow. Is there anything the promotes STEM growth? I use GH Flora series and atm only using ph water and Superthrive, have a small fan moving air (which I know can help stregthen stems). Seedlings are about a week old and 1st true leaves are showing but didnt want to hit with nutes and get top heavy before having decent stems, any thoughts or tricks? Rating: 5

[Rusty Trichome]

Stem-building, seedling stretch...
Have been doing this with every seedling, every grow...for four or five years with zero casualties. (well...except for the tray of 'em I dropped last year) I find it best to keep an oscillating fan on 'em from day-one. :thumbsup:

[tinytoon]

Thnx for reply Rusty but only 1 prob .... I grow hydro and use RW cubes with Hydrotron. Guess maybe I should have put in Hydro section or stated this first ... my bad

[MdmPele]

it's a little early to start...

i will pinch and bruise and crush my stems on my girls to help them build stronger stems.

keep the babies under the fans, the action of moving wiill help strengthen the stems too.

when they are about 8-10" tall is when I start the pinching and bruising. you might even feel the stem snap or crush. this is fine.

I'm amazed how much abuse these plants will take!

[Rusty Trichome]

For all the newbies out there...avoid crushing your stems until you are comfortable with what you are doing to and for your ladies.

This isn't a harmless technique to run out to the growroom and try on all your plants. It's easily overdone, and there is no going back once you fuck 'em up. Before giving 'stem crushing' a try, you might want to know the stability of the strain, and the limitations of your gardening techniques. You might want to practice on freshly-harvested plants to get a feel for the technique, without damaging your next crop.

If you feel compelled to use this technique...perhaps you should look at your own techniques/nutes/schedules, to see why you are dissatisfied with your ladies as they are, and if there's room for improvement.

Will need: Bamboo stakes and twist-ties to support the weakened stems. (if done properly) But does anyone know what happens when you overstress your ladies...? (hint: slowed growth, stunting, nanners or death)

Having said all that, I've tried 'stem crushing' and was unimpressed.

[johnny123]

yo i'm haveing exactly the same problem.i'm starting a new strain (pakistani valley 100% indica)from fem seeds.the stems are about 3" tall and are showing first set of true leaves.maybe i'll do as i have in the past and split a wide drinking straw down one side and slip it round the stem for support untill it gets stronger.a bit fiddly to get on but it works and is much easier to remove.

[tinytoon]

Well 5 of the 6 seeds that went into their 1" RW cubes just were inserted into 4" cubes this morning. Have stuck with the tried and true fan method (no Squishy on my girls!!)





We would like to say that no plants were harmed or injured in any way during this portion of the grow

[johnny123]

i am going to sit it out for now.i've just put my 4" cubes in to soak this morning and have lowered the light (200wcfl)and added a fan so lets see what happens.
by the way what strain you growing tinytoon.sorry if youve already said i may have missed it. :jointsmile:

[tinytoon]

Fairly new strain called Medi-Bud

[johnny123]

looks nice with great yields !