Consider this: You are in your lush grow room, where you can see your healthy cannabis plants. You can't stop thinking about the age-old question that every gardener has: super cropping or topping? They're growing like crazy. Both training methods promise bigger yields and healthier harvests, but which one really works best when it comes down to it? Let's break it down, gardeners.
What You Should Know About Super Cropping
Super cropping is the hands-on, aggressive, but surprisingly gentle art of hurting your plant a little bit to make it grow stronger and more. It's not sadism in gardening; it's more like giving your plants a workout. Gently pinch and bend the branches until you hear a small snap, but not a full break. This will help the plant heal itself. This controlled stress response helps the body absorb nutrients and makes more cannabinoids.
Jorge Cervantes, a well-known grower and writer, swears by this method. He says, "Super cropping can greatly increase yields by making the branches stronger and letting more light into the canopy." When the canopy is opened up, more sunlight reaches the plant's lower nodes and bud sites, which helps them grow. For example, the strain OG Kush is known for growing tall. Super cropping makes the colas thicker and stickier.
Topping Up
Topping is a tried-and-true method, like trimming a bonsai tree, but it promises strong buds that smell good. Topping means cutting off the main growing tip (apical bud) in a clean way during the vegetative phase. This changes the way energy flows, which makes the plant grow more than one cola instead of just one big bud in the middle.
Topping works best on Indica strains that are bushy. Ed Rosenthal, a well-known grower, says, "Topping redistributes growth hormones by removing the apex bud, which makes multiple top colas and greatly increases yield potential." This is great for different types, like Northern Lights and Blueberry, because it gives them big, resinous flowers that bloom at regular intervals.
Super Cropping Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Plants got stronger when they were stressed out.
- Lets the most light into the lower canopy.
- Stress can make the body make more THC.
Cons:
- If the technique isn't done correctly, there is a chance that the branch will be damaged.
- Recovery time can make plants grow more slowly for a few days.
Topping Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Makes a lot of main colas, which boosts yield
- The height of the canopy also makes it easier to light and care for.
- Reduces vertical stretch, which is great for areas that are small and growing.
Cons:
- A little stress after cutting back
- Can slow down the growth of plants in general at first
Yield: Which Comes Out on Top?
When you look at them next to each other, topping usually gives you a more steady and predictable rise in yield. It is easier to harvest and dry multiple uniform colas, but super cropping needs close attention and follow-up to make sure the branches recover as well as possible. But experienced growers who want the highest THC levels can't ignore how fast plants grow and how much more cannabinoids they make when they are super cropped correctly.
What the Grower Thinks
Topping is a popular choice for gardeners who want everything to be just right. People who like to experiment and get the most out of their plants might enjoy super cropping. The truth is? Many cannabis growers swear by using both methods: topping the plant early to give it structure, and then super cropping it during vegetative or early flowering to give it an extra boost.
Jorge Cervantes wisely says, "Don't be afraid to try new things." "Let your plants show you what works best." Growing things is both a science and an art. Your plants will reward you well for your work, whether you are team topping, super cropping, or doing a little of both.
Advice for doing well in the real world
When your plants have three to five nodes, prune them early to get the most out of your toppings. Cuts that are clean and sterile can help lower stress. After topping, you need to make sure the conditions are perfect, with the right amount of humidity, stable temperatures, and a balanced diet.
When you super crop, pick branches that are healthy and flexible enough to bend without breaking. Be careful with this method when the plant is in the late vegetative stage or the early flowering stage. Use tape or splints to hold up the branches so they can heal faster.
Combining different methods for the best results
A lot of experienced growers use both topping and super cropping to get the best results. Start by topping your plants to get more main colas and even growth. As the branches grow, use super cropping wisely to get the most light and strength. This will help you get more and better crops.
Knowing your plants is the most important part of growing cannabis. Be aware, change your methods as needed, and always be open to learning new things. Your plants and the food you grow will be grateful.
