I have no scientific data to back this so take it for what you will.... I usually get hollow stems on girls that are really hungry for cal/mg or are/have been underfed for a long time.. If I can get the strain dialed 90% of the time the stems fill back white and solid.
Oh I understand bro but this is good info to know and I know your not gonna tell me bullshit so it's good to know. I never seriously paid attention if my hollow stem plants were underfed or not and I never paid attention to see if those ladies smoked better then the others but imho if the person is genuinely tell the truth then all info is whether it may be backed by data or not it's good to know cus it may be something you encounter one day.
Ive noticed a correlation between hollow stems and zero root retrictions ( if we re talking about the same thing). Ive noticed the hollow rounded ridge-like stems on seedlings and veg plants, that seem to fill in, round off, and get woody by the time theyre harvested. Especially the lower stems. Plants w all hollow stems seem to be extremely vigorous and healthy, ime.
I saw 1 plant one time that finished w these stems, even the lower main. The buds looked kickass. The plant was in a big raised bed. It wasnt my plant and i didnt smoke the buds, so i cant comment on potency. But it appeared to have reached its highest potential.
Ive harvested plants w top colas that still have hollow stems, but the lower main stem isnt. One in particular i remember the top cola was huge 'tall boy can" size. But like akiymjames i didnt notice a potency increase, but only because i wasnt paying attention. This plant was in a 30gal pot flowered when its was a very small clone.
This is only a personal observation and i have zero scientific evidence, just trying to help figure this out. ive always seen these hollows as a good thing. Just wish i knew exactly whats up. I bet B would have our answers...