Autoflowering cannabis plants have gained immense popularity in recent years due to their unique characteristics. These plants are known for their fast growth and quick flowering time, making them the preferred choice of many growers around the world. Pruning is an essential part of growing autoflowers, as it helps to promote healthy growth and increase yield. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prune autoflowers.
What is pruning?
Pruning is a technique used by growers to remove unwanted parts of the plant such as leaves, branches or buds. It helps in promoting healthy growth and increasing yields by redirecting energy towards more important parts of the plant.
Why prune autoflowers?
Autoflowers have a limited lifespan which means that they do not have enough time to recover from any damage caused during the vegetative stage. Therefore, pruning needs to be done with utmost care so that it does not cause any harm to the plant.
Pruning techniques
There are two main techniques used for pruning autoflowers; topping and LST (Low-Stress Training).
Topping involves cutting off the top of the main stem just above a node where new branches will grow from. This results in two colas (tops) instead of one and promotes bushy growth rather than tall skinny plants.
LST involves tying down or bending stems gently so that they grow horizontally instead of vertically. This allows better light penetration into lower parts of the plant resulting in increased bud production.
Tips for successful pruning
1) Start early – Prune your plants when they are young before they enter into full bloom.
2) Use sterilized equipment – Always use clean and sharp tools while carrying out pruning operations.
3) Make clean cuts – Cut far enough below dead tissue or injury site so that you don’t leave behind much damaged tissue.
4) Don’t overdo it – Over-pruning can lead to stress on your plants which ultimately results in reduced yields.
5) Observe your plants – Keep a close eye on your plants after pruning to monitor their progress and adjust accordingly.
Conclusion
Pruning autoflowers is an essential technique for promoting healthy growth and increasing yields. There are various techniques that can be used such as topping or LST, but it’s important to remember that over-pruning can cause stress on your plants which ultimately results in reduced yields. By following the tips mentioned above, growers can successfully prune their autoflowers to achieve optimal results.
