Advanced Cannabis Growing Techniques

On this blog, we cover everything a beginner needs to know about growing weed. Getting the basic building blocks in place is extremely important. If you skip ahead, your crops will have a bad time. However, for those who have a solid handle on basic growing techniques, it's time to explore the more advanced side. Advanced techniques, when done correctly, can massively improve the quality and yield of your crop. I have gathered a mix of advanced techniques as well as a few slightly controversial ones.

Super Cropping

We have talked a little about various forms of pruning that can improve your yields dramatically. If you are confident with regular pruning, you might be ready for super cropping. This relatively extreme technique works on the premise that hurting and healing can make the plant much stronger. It helps stimulate growth while making the plants more potent and plentiful.

For this version of cropping, you don’t want to cut. Usually, we recommend using extremely sharp pruning scissors to minimise damage to the plant. We go completely the other way for this technique. Instead, we crush the stem, temporarily removing access to water and nutrients. It sends growth hormones to other areas of the plant, giving them significantly more growing power. The stem heals, creating a stronger, sturdier plant with greater growing power.

Healing also creates a thicker stem, giving the plant more space for nutrients and water to flow freely. You can pinch the main stem and redirect all that good stuff to the side branches. Or, you can shape the plant by pinching the side stems and creating a more streamlined shape. Not only will this improve the structure and density of the stems, but it will help the plant create larger buds.

Cloning

This technique is great if you have grown a plant that you absolutely love. It can be frustrating to create the perfect crop and then lose it after harvest. You can grow genetically identical plants, which is also a great way to play with different techniques and see if you can improve on perfection.

First, you need your mother plant, which gives you your clones. During the second or third week of the vegetative phase, take cuttings from a few of your plants. Try to go for the most impressive specimens that take on the brightest colours and healthiest leaves. Also, look for high-quality buds with plenty of resin crystals. Once you choose your plant, you can keep taking clones from her as long as she is in the vegetative stage. Just don’t let her flower until you’re ready. While you keep her in the vegetative stage, make sure you take amazing care of her. If you don’t ensure she is happy and healthy, your clones won’t be what you want them to be.At RARE SEEDS Australia We place great importance on giving you the best start to your cannabis cultivation journey. Today, we take a closer look at why organic cannabis seeds are a must for environmentally conscious growers and how they offer a more sustainable, healthier, and tastier alternative for anyone who prefers to keep it natural.

Once you have chosen your mother plant, take extremely careful cuttings with sharp sterile scissors. Once you have cut a piece of plant to use as the clone, cut it to size. This means removing excess branches and leaves that would use up too many nutrients. The clone should be less than 10cm in length. As soon as you cut it, deal with the open wound on the bottom of the clone. Dunk it in rooting gel and hold it for around 3 seconds. Make sure you have a pot of growing medium ready. As soon as the clone has been dunked, get it straight into a moist medium. Cover the base gently, making sure it’s nice and stable. Just get rid of the last few fan leaves that aren’t necessary right now. Then, you have yourself a mini plant. This plant should root in a few weeks. Just keep an eye on it and make sure it’s happy and healthy.

Defoliation

This is a relatively controversial technique that some swear by. However, some growers say it’s the worst thing you can do. So, let’s just have a look at what it is and you can decide for yourself. Some growers believe that it can hurt the plant and that the plants need all of their leaves to grow properly. Others say that it is the only way to massively increase your yields and that the plants aren’t harmed at all.

The key seems to be removing the leaves at the correct point in the plant’s life. Many people try to remove the leaves while the plant is still young, which can indeed damage the plant and massively hinder growth. Those who walk positively about defoliation believe it should be carried out later in the vegetative stage. Then, no leaves are allowed to exist for more than two weeks without being removed. The point is really preparing your plants for the flowering stage rather than just letting them go straight into flowering while they are small. It can then be used in the flowering stage to ensure the yields continue to increase. This exposes the buds to the light, which can help them develop.

• Improve structure and density of stems
• Shape the plant
• Redirect growth hormones
• Stimulate growth
• Increase yield

Harvesting

Finally, let’s have a brief look at exactly how to harvest. Timing is everything with harvesting. Too early, and you have tiny buds. Too late, and you lose potency. During the last few weeks before perfect harvesting, it can make up a huge amount of the yield. Getting overexcited and harvesting too soon can be disastrous. You can also change the harvesting schedule to change the effect that your strain has. Obviously, if you are growing a hardcore Sativa, you won’t turn it into an Indica, but you can change the potency. Harvesting at the start of the window creates a lighter and buzzier high. However, if you harvest right at the end of the window, you get a much more chill and couch-locky high.