cutting branches = bigger buds?

[lilnug420]

so i've been growing for a few years both indoors and outdoors, mostly outdoors.


outdoors with feminized seeds i've always had good yields, but never big buds.

my plants always have LOTS of branches and lots of bud sites everywhere.

i was wondering if i were to cut all the new branches that grow out, and leave a few big ones? i've had this happen with some auto flowers that just grow short but very thick and the buds were massive.




the way i see it, is if i only leave a few branches, the plant will put all of it's energy into those growing them thick and strong, and this would also result in bigger denser buds since there isn't so many branches that the plant has to feed and support.



now, the biggest question, will it affect yield? in my head it shouldn't since there is gonna be fewer buds but much bigger and heavier as the plant can only focus on those few branches rather lots of thin ones.


are there any downsides to this??? tips??? i already use techniques such as LST and super cropping



another advantage i see to this is that my plants will be shorter ( i have a height issue, can only go so tall) and easier to manage overall. let me know your thoughts growers.

 

[Hook Daddy]

IME the fewer bud sites the bigger the colas, that is correct. It can lower yield some, especially if you cut branches after flowering has started, but not drastically enough to stop me from taking lower bud sites that are not ever going to amount to much anyhow. The biggest drawback in my opinion is the bigger denser buds are more likely to get bud rot, so for me it’s a trade off. I like twenty or so big colas with a few smaller ones that are getting plenty of light, of course it depends on the strain as well, that’s just an average.

 

[HydroKid239]

I hate to trim small nugs, so less satellite branching for me. More energy focused on the buds up top 12-16” down from the tops.
Indoor lighting isn’t going to give great results to bud sites in the shadows.
More branching = more feeding.. which can be tricky unless you know, and keep track of your feeds. Some may think they have a lockout when the plants really want more.

To keep is simpler from here on out I’ll be keeping less of the side branching on the main branches to try & boost quality up top.

 

[lilnug420]

IME the fewer bud sites the bigger the colas, that is correct. It can lower yield some, especially if you cut branches after flowering has started, but not drastically enough to stop me from taking lower bud sites that are not ever going to amount to much anyhow. The biggest drawback in my opinion is the bigger denser buds are more likely to get bud rot, so for me it’s a trade off. I like twenty or so big colas with a few smaller ones that are getting plenty of light, of course it depends on the strain as well, that’s just an average.

i've experienced bud rot with big buds, late in flower it gets quite cold and humid where i'm from, is there any way to reduce the risk of mold? other than having smaller buds ofc?

i wasn't planning on cutting branches after the flowering has started, was thinking 'bout only doing it in veg.


also by having fewer leaves and branches, i was thinking i'd get more potent buds since a lot of the lower buds usually don't get enough sunlight because they're hidden below all the foilage and upper buds....


also i see a lot of people cutting fan leaves during flower (especially ones that might not look 100% healthy, i've always avoided doing so as fan leaves contain nutrients that the plant can use during flower. but i'm starting to think it might be the right thing to do because it would allow the sun to shine more on the buds?

 

[lilnug420]

I hate to trim small nugs, so less satellite branching for me. More energy focused on the buds up top 12-16” down from the tops.
Indoor lighting isn’t going to give great results to bud sites in the shadows.
More branching = more feeding.. which can be tricky unless you know, and keep track of your feeds. Some may think they have a lockout when the plants really want more.

To keep is simpler from here on out I’ll be keeping less of the side branching on the main branches to try & boost quality up top.

currently running an experiment, cookie gelato and special kush 1.


one, i'll cut lots of branches and try to get big colas, the other i'll let grow like i always did with minor trimming and lst/super cropping. can't wait to see if yield's will be similar, if so, i'll definitely keep doing it

 

[Hook Daddy]

i've experienced bud rot with big buds, late in flower it gets quite cold and humid where i'm from, is there any way to reduce the risk of mold? other than having smaller buds ofc?

There’s lots of things that factor in. Genetics, some strains are mold resistant. Environment has the most to do with mold and mildew. Keeping a clean grow never hurts. I would suggest doing a bit of research. Bud size has a big factor due to density and ability to hold water. Especially if a leaf dies and isn’t fully removed, it will start to rot and there’s no stopping it.

i wasn't planning on cutting branches after the flowering has started, was thinking 'bout only doing it in veg.

Once your growing more you will recognize branches that will be less producing weeks into flower and cut them, trust me.

also by having fewer leaves and branches, i was thinking i'd get more potent buds since a lot of the lower buds usually don't get enough sunlight because they're hidden below all the foilage and upper buds....

Yes, that’s getting rid of the mids. It’s a good thing.

also i see a lot of people cutting fan leaves during flower (especially ones that might not look 100% healthy, i've always avoided doing so as fan leaves contain nutrients that the plant can use during flower. but i'm starting to think it might be the right thing to do because it would allow the sun to shine more on the buds?

Getting rid of fans that block light is fine, and ones that start to yellow under the canopy. I don’t remove leaves just to remove leaves. I do remove bud sites when flipping to flower as above.

 

[lilnug420]

There’s lots of things that factor in. Genetics, some strains are mold resistant. Environment has the most to do with mold and mildew. Keeping a clean grow never hurts. I would suggest doing a bit of research. Bud size has a big factor due to density and ability to hold water. Especially if a leaf dies and isn’t fully removed, it will start to rot and there’s no stopping it.


Once your growing more you will recognize branches that will be less producing weeks into flower and cut them, trust me.

Yes, that’s getting rid of the mids. It’s a good thing.


Getting rid of fans that block light is fine, and ones that start to yellow under the canopy. I don’t remove leaves just to remove leaves. I do remove bud sites when flipping to flower as above.

branches usually don't keep growing into flowers right? (in length and thickness) maybe a big but not much right? i'll try to remove the small ones this grow and see how it goes! thanks

 

[Hook Daddy]

branches usually don't keep growing into flowers right? (in length and thickness) maybe a big but not much right? i'll try to remove the small ones this grow and see how it goes! thanks

I would think if you have been growing for a few years you would know how branches grow. Cut what you don’t want and keep the rest. Removing smaller less productive ones will result in more energy to what you don’t remove.

 

[effexxess]

is there any way to reduce the risk of mold?

Silica and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens products both individually help prevent mold.

 

[Hook Daddy]

Silica and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens products both individually help prevent mold.

Silica also helps promote stronger branches and a healthier overall structure IMO. A win win. I sometimes forget to add a bit before flower and regret it later.