Tips on how to make thicker branches

yo_Dyldo

Well-Known Member
What’s are some tips to make some thicker branches? My main stem is thick but all my branches are scrawny. I have removed some unnecessary leaves for more light on them so I’m hoping that will help with some of it. I also just topped all my tops. Should I start using my nutes again? They’ve been doing perfect on plain water. Any ideas or more questions about my grow feel free to ask and all your help is appreciated
 

BlueRidgeGrower

Well-Known Member
What’s are some tips to make some thicker branches? My main stem is thick but all my branches are scrawny. I have removed some unnecessary leaves for more light on them so I’m hoping that will help with some of it. I also just topped all my tops. Should I start using my nutes again? They’ve been doing perfect on plain water. Any ideas or more questions about my grow feel free to ask and all your help is appreciated
You got a fan on em? Some circulation helps to strengthen them up.
 

cannn

Well-Known Member
An added fan to move the branches a bit will start strengthening them up. Like cx2h said silicates are supposed to help but ive never used them. Even giving the branches the occasional slightly violent shake can certainly help. Nearly every movement the stem makes leaves small non visible fractures causing the stem to thicken up a bit in response. Ive started using tomato cages for supports and this seems to be a good solution if you cant get those stems to harden up enough. Whats your setup like?
 

cannn

Well-Known Member
Also a lot of people will tell you dont pull leaves at all. Its certainly debatable but ive seen great results both ways and think sometimes its worth trimming a few to get more light to parts of the plant that are getting crowded out. Those shaded parts ive noticed will make underdeveloped bud and getting light to new nodes can definitely help the plant bush out. I tend to defoliate the whole lower part of my plants just to avoid that popcorn and crap down there.
 

cannn

Well-Known Member
Yeah supercropping without the bending. Basically just pinch those stems hard all over
 

yo_Dyldo

Well-Known Member
everytime a new member removes his leaves to let more light in they get this scrawny branches. stop removing leaves for this reason
I just removed leaves today. I’ve always removed leaves in all my grows but I know the right timing. These have been vegging for 8 weeks and none of my plants branches have stayed so scrawny before. That’s why I removed the leaves today hoping it will get more light because they were completely covered almost but they do have light shining on the sides
 

DocktaGreenThumb

Active Member
Removing the leaves that capture the light to begin with is a bad idea imo. Simply pinching (with or without a slight bend) until the inner stem pops will result in the plant "Bulking" itself.

An oscillating fan will also help strengthen the stems due to them adapting to stay alive.

I wouldnt remove a single leaf until you lollipop before flower.
 

Stealthstyle

Well-Known Member
Oh yeah thats fine but i thought you were cutting branches and leaves to allow the stems get more light.For lower branches that seem like they will make it past the canopy, for sure trim away, especially in a scrog.
 
i use a technique i call "the green spartan"... leave it outside on a very windy day. if its not completely stressed or snapped then it has become stronger.
 

mr buddy

Well-Known Member
I know it doesn’t make them thicker but it does help with growth and with such big fan leaves covering the whole shoot there’s no way for it to get any light
You don't have to remove those fan leaves just bend them out the way.it's like lst in a way. So bend and tuck them rather than cut them .this allows light in to other parts and strengthen the branch
 
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