What makes the stem strong and thick?

[ryan1918]

I noticed some plants are much thinker then others so I'm wondering what makes it, is it a fan, or the strain? I noticed one is like 1/2" while others are 1/3rd of the size

 

[DeeTee]

Your fan is what strengthens the stem, the fan should " wiggle " the plant a little.

 

[crazyhazey]

genetics, strength of air flow, and potash.

 

[mrpeoples]

The air flow from the fan encourages the plant to add growth to the stem so to make sturdier and therefore able to deal with it.... My plants at mo are taking loads of wind and thickening up nicely

 

[Alexander Supertramp]

AKA Potassium. And a gentle breeze(movement of the stem and branches). Also encourages root development to help stabilize and anchor the plant. Nature just doing its thing....

 

[ryan1918]

I have been using 2-3 fans but not blowing directly at it, or on a low setting if I have it swiveling, I heard it's not good to directly blow at them so do they mean like keep it constantly blowing or mean even swiveling

 

[crazyhazey]

I have been using 2-3 fans but not blowing directly at it, or on a low setting if I have it swiveling, I heard it's not good to directly blow at them so do they mean like keep it constantly blowing or mean even swiveling

you want a little bit of movement but not so much that its swaying back and forth, they should look like they're shaking sort of.

 

[Alexander Supertramp]

Direct, oscillating air across the canopy is just fine. Just not to close or too strong. Its also good to have some air moving down low to move air up through the canopy...

 

[mrpeoples]

Direct, oscillating air across the canopy is just fine. Just not to close or too strong. Its also good to have some air moving down low to move air up through the canopy...

great advice.... air flow can be helped along further down the line by pruning the lower leaves

 

[cheddar1985]

Try supercroppin or lst even pinchin the stems to get the nice and strong sum strains need it for sure !!

 

[ryan1918]

alright sounds good, It seems I'm getting nice airflow.

 

[BustinScales510]

A lot of it is just genetics/strain too. Indicas usually have the thick stems and sativas thin and stretchy..Ive grown some sativas that almost seemed vine like. A silica supplement would also strengthen cell walls but it probably wouldnt be necessary.

 

[Murfy]

silica-


5 mL per gallon. pot size is also a factor. the bigger the pot, the bigger the root and supportive structure mass.

 

[mrpeoples]

thats why i roll in 50 litre bins

 

[chrishydro]

I use a moving fan but it blows behind the plants on the wall so the air kind of bounces off the wall and only moves them in one direction but has 100 percent top to bottom coverage.

 

[unlucky]

Your fan is what strengthens the stem, the fan should " wiggle " the plant a little.

pics or it didn't happen..........

 

[dr.gonzo1]

I'll second the silicon shout. noticed a diff since I started adding it.

 

[ryan1918]

So do you think putting plants in a 5 gallon bucket is stopping them from growing more, bigger, fatter, as per say a flower bed type thing? I always thought it could expand much bigger then a 5 gallon and it seems to be limiting the plant growth but it depends on how high your growing too.