Contents
How to Trellis Cannabis for Optimal Growth – Learn the best techniques for trellising your cannabis plants for maximum yields and quality.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
A trellis is an inclined frame used as an aid in training climbing plants. Many vining crops can be trained to grow on a trellis, making them ideal candidates for small-space or vertical gardens. Cannabis is one such crop that responds well to training, and can even be encouraged to produce larger, higher-quality flowers when grown on a trellis. Read on to learn more about how to trellis cannabis for optimal growth.
What is Trellis?
A trellis is an often freestanding frame structure used as an support for various climbing plants. A common use for trellises is to provide vertical growing space for vining vegetables and fruits such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and grapes. Trellising also allows for better air circulation around the plants which reduces the chances of disease and pests. Trellises can be made from various materials such as wood, metal, or plastic.
For cannabis growers, trellising is an important technique to learn in order to get the most out of their crop. Cannabis plants are naturally bushy and branchy, which can lead to problems with mold and mildew if not properly managed. By training your plants to grow along a trellis, you can increase airflow and prevent potential problems before they start. Trellised plants also tend to be more aesthetically pleasing and easier to manage than untrellised plants.
There are many different ways to trellis cannabis plants, but the most common method is called the SCROG (Screen of Green) method. This involves using a screen or grid to evenly spaced out your plants so that each one has access to an equal amount of light. The SCROG method is especially useful for indoor growers who are limited by space.
To trellis your cannabis plants using the SCROG method, you will need:
-A screen or grid that is at least 2 feet by 2 feet
-Zip ties or other fasteners
-Cannabis plants
Begin by setting up your screen or grid in your grow space. Make sure that it is at least 2 feet away from any walls or other objects so that your plants have enough room to grow. Once your screen or grid is in place, evenly spaced out your cannabis plants on top of it. Use zip ties or other fasteners to secure the bases of the plant stems to the screen or grid. Be careful not to damage the stems while doing this.
As your plants begin to grow, train them to weave through the gaps in the screen or grid. You can do this by gently bending the stems in the direction that you want them to go. Be sure not monitor your plants closely as they grow so that you can catch any problems early on. When done properly, trellising cannabis can lead to bigger yields and healthier plants overall.
The Different Types of Trellis
There are numerous ways to trellis cannabis. The most common and effective forms are the Screen of Green (SCROG), the Low-Stress Training (LST) method, and Super Cropping. Each of these methods has different variations, but they all serve the same purpose: to increase yield while minimizing space. Let’s take a more detailed look at each trellising method.
The Screen of Green (SCROG) method is a type of LST that uses a horizontal screen or netting to evenly distribute light and support the main cola. To SCROG your plants, you’ll need to start with a basic horizontal trellis like an adjustable tension rod or a piece of fishing line stretched between two points. From there, you’ll need to add your screen or netting material, making sure that it’s taut and evenly distributed. Once your screen or netting is in place, you can begin training your plants.
To train your plants using the SCROG method, you’ll need to bend and tie the stems so that they grow through the holes in the screen or netting. As your plants continue to grow, you’ll need to keep training them so that all stems receive an equal amount of light exposure. When done correctly, the SCROG method will result in an even canopy of buds with minimal effort.
The Low-Stress Training (LST) method is a type of training that uses slight bends and ties to control plant growth without causing any long-term damage. To LST your plants, you’ll need to start with a basic horizontal trellis like an adjustable tension rod or a piece of fishing line stretched between two points. From there, you can begin training your plants by gently bending and tying the stems so that they grow in the desired direction.
As your plants continue to grow, you’ll need to keep training them so that all stems receive an equal amount of light exposure. When done correctly, the LST method will result in an even canopy of buds with minimal effort. However, if not done carefully, LST can cause long-term damage to your plants. Therefore, it’s important to only use gentle pressure when bending and tying stems and to check on your plants regularly during the training process.
Super Cropping is a type of high-stress training that involves gently damaging the plant tissue in order to force new growth in a desired direction. Unlike LST, super cropping does cause long-term damage to your plants; however, when done correctly, it can significantly increase yields by stimulating new growth from previously inactive parts of the plant. To super crop your plants, you’ll need to start by lightly damaging the stem with your fingers or another blunt object. Once the stem is damaged, Bend it in the desired direction and secure it in place using either twine or tape
Why Trellis Cannabis?
Trellising is a gardening technique used to support climbing plants. It is commonly used in vineyards, but can also be used with other types of plants, such as cannabis. Trellising can increase yields, prevent disease, and support the plant for optimal growth.
There are many benefits to trellising cannabis. Trellising can increase yields by allowing the plant to grow more vertically. This allows the plant to produce more buds and receive more sunlight. Trellising can also prevent disease by increasing air circulation and allowing the plant to dry more quickly after watering. Finally, trellising supports the plant for optimal growth by keeping it from toppling over and breaking branches.
There are several different ways to trellis cannabis. The most common method is to use a metal or plastic trellis system. These systems can be purchased at most gardening stores. Another method is to use string or wire to create a lattice-like structure around the plant. This method is less common, but can be just as effective as using a trellis system.
No matter which method you choose, it is important to ensure that the structure is strong enough to support the weight of the plant. It is also important to ensure that the structure does not block any of the bud sites on the plant. If you are using a trellis system, it is best to attach it to the pot before planting the cannabis seedling. This will make it easier to remove the pot when it is time to harvest the buds.
How to Trellis Cannabis
Trellising is a great way to support your cannabis plants and help them to grow taller and produce more buds. It can also help to increase air circulation and reduce the risk of mold and mildew. Trellising can be done using a variety of materials, including wood, metal, or plastic.
Step One: Choose the Right Strain
The type of strain you have will impact how you trellis. Indica strains are shorter and bushier, while Sativas are taller and lankier. If you have an Indica strain, you won’t need to trellis as high as you would for a Sativa.
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to trellis about two feet off the ground for an Indica and three to four feet off the ground for a Sativa. This will allow the plant to grow vertically without sacrificing too much of its lateral growth.
/If you want to get really specific, there’s a rough formula you can use to determine the height at which you should trellis your Cannabis plants. Just take the number of weeks until harvest and divide it by two. So, if you’re looking at an eight-week harvest, your plants should be trellised four feet off the ground. This method is far from perfect, but it will give you a good starting point.
Step Two: Set Up Your Grow Space
You’ll need to set up your grow space before you start trellising cannabis. Ideally, you want a space that’s at least 3 feet by 3 feet, with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If you’re growing indoors, you can use grow lights to supplement the light your plants are getting.
Once you have your grow space set up, you’ll need to prepare the soil. Cannabis likes a light, well-draining soil. You can either buy a premixed potting soil or make your own by mixing together perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss. Once your soil is ready, you can start trellising cannabis.
Step Three: Train the Plants
Now that you have your training system in place, it’s time to start training your plants! For the best results, you should start training when your plants are young – around 2-4 weeks old. The earlier you start, the easier it will be for your plants to adapt to their new support structure.
There are a few different methods you can use to train your plants, but the most common is called “Topping.” Topping is when you remove the growing tip of the plant (the main stem), which causes the plant to branch out and become bushier. Topping also encourages new growth, which can be helpful if you want to create a denser canopy.
If you’re growing multiple plants, you can also “FIM” or “Main-Lining.” This involves removing just a portion of the main stem, instead of the entire tip. This will cause the plant to produce four new branches instead of two. FIMing is a great way to encourage even growth in all of your plants.
Once you’ve topped or FIMed your plants, it’s important to give them some time to recover before you start manipulating them into position. For most strains, this will take about 5-7 days. During this time, make sure to water and fertilize your plants as usual.
After your plants have recovered from topping or FIMing, you can start gently bending and twisting them into position on the trellis. It’s important not to force them into place, as this can damage the stems. If necessary, you can use soft ties or stretchy fabric to secure them in place until they adjust to their new positions.
As your plants continue to grow and fill out their support structures, you may need to do some additional pruning and training. Be sure to carefully monitor your plants and make changes as needed so that they remain healthy and productive!
Step Four: Monitor the Plants
Take a close look at your plants every day. If you see any pests or problems, address them immediately. Healthy cannabis plants have strong, vibrant leaves. If the leaves are yellowing or wilting, that’s a sign of stress. Be sure to monitor the humidity and temperature in the grow room as well, as both can affect plant health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, trellising your cannabis will result in optimal growth and yield. Be sure to carefully select a trellis that is appropriate for the size and weight of your cannabis plants. With proper care and maintenance, your cannabis plants will thrive and produce an abundance of buds.
