Low-stress training seems to be among the most popular techniques to enter the cannabis industry in recent years. Although it’s got a long history of use, most people have not heard about it until recently. At this point, it’s got everyone wondering. What is low-stress training?
- Low-Stress Training History
- What You Need
- Before You Begin Low Stress Training
- Low Stress Training: A Yield Boosting Technique
- Ensures Plants Make the Most of the Available Space:
- To Put It Simply, by Bending the Stems, You Spread Out the Plant:
- Why Is Low Stress Training a Good Idea?
- How Do You Implement Low Stress Training?
- Start at the Beginning of the Vegetative Phase:
- Gently, Bend to the Mainstem:
- Then, Using the Soft Wires, Tie It Down:
- As the Plant Grows, Change Stems to Maintain a Plant Canopy:
- Are There Any Restrictions As to Which Strains You Can Use This Technique With?
Low-Stress Training History
If we look at history, it doesn’t take long to find evidence of these techniques from the distant past. It seems as if people from around the world have been using low-stress training to improve the yields of their harvest since antiquity. To us, that should serve as some proof of its utility, at least. People have been using these techniques to improve the yields of their harvest with undeniable consistency.
What You Need
- Soft Wires: Generally speaking, anything that you can use to tie the plants without harming them should suffice. Although we would prefer using hemp, it doesn’t hurt if you use another material.
- Bamboo Stakes: With these, you’ll have something to tie the other end of the string to. Bamboo is both durable and affordable. By using it, you’ll protect the environment while also saving your wallet.
- Duct Tape: With this, you can secure the strings to the stakes more easily. On most occasions, duct tape is more than sufficient. For that reason, we suggest always keeping some on hand. Since it is so useful, you can never know when it might come in handy.
- Hand Drill: By using a drill, you can dig a hole for the stakes. Compared to the other materials, this one is optional. If you are comfortable digging holes with your hands, then, by all means, you can do so.
Once you’ve collected all the necessary ingredients, you can start preparing a place for the plants. Of course, they must sprout before you can initiate this training.
Until that time, we suggest reviewing the following tips. That way, you’ll avoid the most common mistakes made by beginners.
Before You Begin Low Stress Training
- Wait Until the Vegetative Phase: Remember, you must wait until the vegetative phase. Until that time, it’s impossible for you to utilize these techniques. If you attempt, it could damage the plant. For that reason, it’s best to wait until the correct phase.
- Work With the Plant Gently: As you work with the plant, be cautious. Otherwise, it isn’t difficult for you to damage the tender buds. If that happens, it’s impossible for you to reverse time. At that point, you’ll have to wait until the next harvest to see how things go.
- Don’t Neglect Any Branch: This technique is a continuous process. Unless you invest sufficient time, the final results will be disappointing. Since you must check on them regularly, it would be best if you prepared accordingly. By switching branches consistently, you’ll ensure the results are as extensive as possible. On most occasions, you’ll be impressed by just how much more the plants grow in the end.
Low Stress Training: A Yield Boosting Technique
Overall, this technique is all about boosting your plant’s yield. By implementing it properly, each branch of your plant will produce more but in the end. Instead of one branch with massive buds, every branch will produce significantly larger flowers.
It’s no secret that cannabis usually resembles the shape of a Christmas tree.
However, that shape isn’t predetermined, nor is it the most efficient. In fact, by changing this shape, you’ll improve the amount of material the plant produces. That way, each plant is even more efficient in the long run.
Ensures Plants Make the Most of the Available Space:
By breaking apical dominance, the plant will spread out more as it grows. In this way, it takes advantage of the space surrounding it more efficiently. Instead of growing subordinate branches, each branch grows to the greatest extent possible. Generally speaking, you’ll notice larger buds on all of them compared to usual growing patterns.
To Put It Simply, by Bending the Stems, You Spread Out the Plant:
To break apical dominance, you’ll have to force the plant to grow differently. Although it may sound complicated, it’s actually much more straightforward than you would expect. Plus, the final results are undeniably better than they would have been otherwise.
Why Is Low Stress Training a Good Idea?
- Breaks Apical Dominance: Most of the time, a single stem becomes dominant on the plant. At that point, it consumes the majority of the plant’s resources. Other stems suffer as a result. By breaking apical dominance, you’ll ensure each stem grows as much as possible. Thus, further expanding your final harvest.
- Better Light Distribution: The shape of a Christmas tree isn’t all that efficient at absorbing light. In fact, it seems to be among the most inefficient forms for a plant to grow. By forcing a change, you’ll ensure each leaf gets as much light as possible. Therefore, your leaves will be photosynthetic powerhouses.
- Yield Increasing: Ultimately, each plant will produce more once it’s time for harvest. If that sounds appealing to you, then we suggest learning how to implement this technique. That way, you’ll get to enjoy the abundance of a bountiful harvest. To us, that seems as if it is a pretty good deal. Especially, when you consider how small the investment is for you to use this technique.
How Do You Implement Low Stress Training?
Okay, we understand you’d like to use low-stress training while you grow your next crop. Once your sprouts have entered the vegetative stage, it is okay for you to commence. Before that time, all you can do is wait. Otherwise, you could damage the plants.
Start at the Beginning of the Vegetative Phase:
As soon as the vegetative phase begins, we suggest that you start. The sooner you can begin, the more effective these techniques will be in the end.
Gently, Bend to the Mainstem:
Grab the largest stem on the plant. Then, bend it to the ground. After it reaches the ground, you must tie it down. As you are tying it down, ensure that there’s not too much tension.
If there is, loosen the line a little bit. Otherwise, the added stress could damage the tender plant.
Then, Using the Soft Wires, Tie It Down:
After tying the string to the plant, grab the bamboo stick. Using the bamboo stick, wrap the other end of the string. Once you are done, stick the bamboo stick into the ground.
After it’s in the ground, use the duct-taped to secure everything in place. That way, once you let go, everything will stay in the same spot.
As you are releasing it, release the pressure slowly. If you go too fast, the entire operation could come undone. Unless you like redoing things, we suggest you exercise caution.
As the Plant Grows, Change Stems to Maintain a Plant Canopy:
Now, it’s time for you to do some more waiting. As the plant grows, you’ll notice that apical dominance is broken. Therefore, the largest stem will cease to be the most significant part of the plant.
As soon as that happens, you must switch branches. If you do not, then another part of the plant will assume apical dominance.
If that happens, then all of your work will have been for nothing. However, do not despair. Usually, it’s not that difficult to maintain the plant while you are using this technique. As long as you regularly switch branches, the final result will be more than sufficient.
Are There Any Restrictions As to Which Strains You Can Use This Technique With?
Of course, this is among the most common questions we must answer when we speak to new growers. We are happy to help anyone who hasn’t experienced everything firsthand.
As you continue to explore the industry, you’ll begin to develop a feel for things yourself.
Until that time, we are happy to assist you with anything that you need. As far as this question goes, it seems as if it’s possible to use any strain. By following the directions above, you’ll improve the yield on all your plants.
As Long As You Maintain the Plant, It’s Widely Applicable:
Undoubtedly, it seems as if improving the yield of all your plants would be an amazing feat. Nevertheless, to us, it’s a relatively straightforward appeal.
By following the procedures above, you’ll be using proven science to engineer a more fruitful environment. That way, once it is time for you to harvest the crop, it’ll be as bountiful as possible.