RickWhite
Well-Known Member
There is a mechanism in plants whereby the hormone auxin cases the main shoots to grow much faster than the side branches or their branchlets. This results in a plant that grows tall with more sparse growth and little to no growth (and therefore buds) at the minor nodes.
There should be a significant increase in yield if we were to control this phenomenon. One reason is that there would obviously be larger buds produced at the minor nodes. The other, and perhaps more significant advantage, is that the plant could be kept short with more nodes being close to our light source. Also, it seems that regularly directing the plant's energy into production of shoots rather than production of thick main stems and branches is a better use of this energy and will pay off come flower time.
You can read about apical dominance here:
In plant physiology, apical dominance is the phenomenon whereby the main central stem of the plant is dominant over (i.e., grows more strongly than) other side stems ; on a branch the main stem of the branch is further dominant over its own side branchlets.
The apical bud (or tip) produces the growth hormone auxin, which not only promotes cell division, but also diffuses downward and inhibits the development of lateral bud growth which would otherwise compete with the apical tip for light and nutrients. Removing the apical tip and its suppressive hormone allows the lower dormant lateral buds to develop and the buds between the leaf stalk and stem to produce new shoots which compete to become the lead growth
What I propose, is to begin pruning the main stem and all side branches as soon as the plant is about half of your target height. Or, as soon as there are 2-3 nodes on a branch behind the tip.
I also propose at least two to three rounds of whole plant pruning even if it means a slightly longer veg time.
Please do not confuse this with an attempt to develop more main shoots. This is an attempt to develop all minor nodes so that respectable sized buds form at every node on the plant and not just the main colas.
To summarize:
When your plant reaches decent size and / or branches have 2-3 nodes behind the main shoot, you prune the tops from entire plant. From where you prune, two new shoots will grow. After they each leave behind a set of nodes, prune again. You can even do another round in which case you will be pruning 4 tops. In the end, you should have a plant with significant growth coming from all minor nodes that will eventually become healthy buds instead of just shake for hash.
If you are really brave, you could even cut the two new shoots (or initial 3 that form the top) completely and force all of the growth far back on the branch to the next node set.
I am trying this now and will post results. I'm sure we all would appreciate hearing about this if anyone has tried it.
There should be a significant increase in yield if we were to control this phenomenon. One reason is that there would obviously be larger buds produced at the minor nodes. The other, and perhaps more significant advantage, is that the plant could be kept short with more nodes being close to our light source. Also, it seems that regularly directing the plant's energy into production of shoots rather than production of thick main stems and branches is a better use of this energy and will pay off come flower time.
You can read about apical dominance here:
In plant physiology, apical dominance is the phenomenon whereby the main central stem of the plant is dominant over (i.e., grows more strongly than) other side stems ; on a branch the main stem of the branch is further dominant over its own side branchlets.
The apical bud (or tip) produces the growth hormone auxin, which not only promotes cell division, but also diffuses downward and inhibits the development of lateral bud growth which would otherwise compete with the apical tip for light and nutrients. Removing the apical tip and its suppressive hormone allows the lower dormant lateral buds to develop and the buds between the leaf stalk and stem to produce new shoots which compete to become the lead growth
What I propose, is to begin pruning the main stem and all side branches as soon as the plant is about half of your target height. Or, as soon as there are 2-3 nodes on a branch behind the tip.
I also propose at least two to three rounds of whole plant pruning even if it means a slightly longer veg time.
Please do not confuse this with an attempt to develop more main shoots. This is an attempt to develop all minor nodes so that respectable sized buds form at every node on the plant and not just the main colas.
To summarize:
When your plant reaches decent size and / or branches have 2-3 nodes behind the main shoot, you prune the tops from entire plant. From where you prune, two new shoots will grow. After they each leave behind a set of nodes, prune again. You can even do another round in which case you will be pruning 4 tops. In the end, you should have a plant with significant growth coming from all minor nodes that will eventually become healthy buds instead of just shake for hash.
If you are really brave, you could even cut the two new shoots (or initial 3 that form the top) completely and force all of the growth far back on the branch to the next node set.
I am trying this now and will post results. I'm sure we all would appreciate hearing about this if anyone has tried it.
