Table of Contents
- What Is High-Stress Training?
- Common High-Stress Training Techniques
- Should I Be Using HST On My Grow?
If you’re a cannabis user or grower, you’re probably always looking for ways to increase your yield and cannabinoid production. High-stress training, also known as super cropping, may be a method worth trying. This technique involves intentionally wounding the plant in order to achieve several potential benefits, including increased CBD and THC production and increased yields.
When applied appropriately, high-stress training can also result in a shorter, but well-branched plant with many buds. Keep reading to learn more about how this method works and whether it’s right for your cannabis plants.
What Is High-Stress Training?
High-stress training (HST) is a method of growing cannabis that involves intentionally wounding the plant in order to achieve several potential benefits. When stressed using this method, cannabis plants are believed to increase their levels of CBD and THC production and also increase their overall yields.
This is because the cannabinoid compounds found in trichomes and terpenes are what protect the plant when growing in the wild. It is believe that when a plant undergoes stress, or senses danger, it is prompted to produce or generate larger amounts of its defense strategy—and this is what growers seek. When applied appropriately, high-stress training can also result in a shorter, but well-branched plant with many buds. Let’s explore the benefits of HST in more detail.
Common High-Stress Training Techniques
Fimming and topping cannabis plants are both cutting methods used by cannabis growers to improve the shape of the plant (so they can better access light), induce the growth of more colas (flowering sites) and, ultimately, harvest bigger yields. Topping and Fimming are two proven High-Stress Training techniques. But which is the best method for training your plants?
‘Topping’ refers to the technique of cutting off the top of the plant in between the nodes. On the other hand, ‘Fimming’ is the process of removing new growths but avoiding cutting between the nodes. While pretty similar, these techniques do produce slightly different effects and often growers have a preferred technique.
A cannabis plant after topping. A stump remains after cutting the entire node. To fim, you would pinch off leaves with your fingers instead.
Topping
Topping is the process of pruning the growing tip of the main stem of a cannabis plant. This is perhaps the most common HST or high-stress training technique applied by both indoor and outdoor growers. Cannabis growing naturally will typically take on a Christmas tree structure; One dominant, main central cola and multiple sets of side branches. Topping is best applied with a single, clean-cut to the tip of the main stem with sterile scissors. Remove 100% of the tip from the main stem and one cola will become two. Best of all, the process can be repeated again and again to double-down on the number of top colas.
Fimming
Fimming is another HST technique used to increase yield that is similar to topping, but not quite the same. The objective is still to increase the number of main colas. But instead of doubling down, fimming can give rise to 4+ new top colas. This technique is highly recommended for micro-growers with perhaps just 1-2 plants. Simply wait until you have at least 3 nodes on your plant and then pinch the leaves of the most recent node with your finger and thumb.
After a few weeks of the fimming taking place, you will be blessed with at least 4 new colas and it will help your plant to grow bushier. However, fimming it isn’t as effective as topping at reducing the height of your plants and, as it isn’t as ‘stressful’ to plants as topping, it might not always achieve the desired effect.
Should I Be Using HST On My Grow?
Now that you know how high-stress training works and what some of its potential benefits are, you may be wondering if this method is right for your plants. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this question since every cannabis plant is different and will respond differently to stressors.
If you do decide to try high-stress training on your plants, start with just one or two so that you can gauge their reaction before applying this method more broadly. And as with any type of stressor, be sure to monitor your plants closely so that you can catch any problems early on. With a little trial and error, you’ll soon find out if high-stress training is right for your plants.
Conclusion – Is High-Stress Training Worth it?
High-stress training is a method of growing cannabis that involves intentionally wounding the plant in order to achieve several potential benefits, including increased CBD and THC production and increased yields. When applied correctly, this method can also result in a shorter but well-branched plant with many buds. If you’re thinking of trying high-stress training on your plants, start with just one or two so that you can gauge their reaction before applying this method more broadly. With a little trial and error, you’ll soon find out if high-stress training is right for your plants.
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Sources:
https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-marijuana-pruning-topping-vs-fimming-n621
