How to prune your plants

Fredfarted · 01-07-2008, 08:37 PM

I was cleaning up some old files on my computer and found this. I remember I looked high and low for this info when I started growing, Perhaps it will help you too.

This was from Pistilwhipts original thread from CW. (RIP)
I have used this method for years and all I can say is it works! I personally can attest that Pruning WORKS!!!!!!!!!

This post gets the Fredfarted stamp of approval. I will try to answer any question I can as I do use this method, However the credit belongs to Pistilwhipt!

Pistilwhipts Pruning method! The original thread from CW!
Posted by Pistilwhipt
Prune Along

Ok kids, here goes...I'm going to run through an entire grow one cut at a time. Complete with pics and details. I’ll be demonstrating the techniques I use to encourage the onset of dense heavy potent buds. Avoiding as much of the dreaded popcorn as possible. I will be using both train wreck and soma's lavender for this thread. I will begin posting pics as soon as tomorrow. Every time I prune I will post pics before and after, and answer any questions that arise. Hope this helps. Peace PW

Ok, here we go...This is at about 2wks veg having been topped once. This goes for both the lavender and the train. No pruning has taken place yet, first three pics are train wreck(grey container)second three, Lavender(blue container).

Ok...let's see. I top my cuttings @ about the 4th or 5th node when they are real young. Basically just when they actively start growing after sprouting roots. As far as actual time I'd say these have been veging for 18 days. And yes, if you want monsters you need to let 'em breathe...this includes root space as well as physical space.

O.k. the first cuts have been made. At this first prune I like to be very aggressive so as to cut down on the work required when it comes time to prune again.(strain dependent of course)After this initial prune, I like to allow the plants time to recover and get back into the groove. If you're doing things correctly it should be no time at all before they are growing again. Perhaps a couple days max. After they are actively growing again just keep your eyes peeled for renegade shoots...but we'll get to that later.

On average I like to leave 6 to 8 branches (plant willing) behind. You just have to listen to the plants of course, they will let you know how much they can handle. So you see it's not a matter of loosing any canopy it will still be there to soak up all the light. It's just a matter of directing the flow of energy through the plant. Removing all of the lower shoots and branches which would be shaded or otherwise non productive.

Question:

So, you are removing the lower growth shoots without taking the corresponding fan leaves?

Also, would you recommend basing the extent of the pruning upon the size and penetration of your light? Or would you prune the same way regardless of the lighting?

Posted by Pistilwhipt

quote:
So, you are removing the lower growth shoots without taking the corresponding fan leaves?

Yes exactly, the fan leaves must be left behind! I remove the lower fan leaves once they are shaded by the canopy, but not till then. At which time the lower third worth of fan leaves are removed for proper air flow beneath the girls.

Question:

I have romulan and the stems are totally hollow. I scrog, prune, and super crop if you believe that. Should I use something to seal the hole into the inner hurd?

Question:
Hey PW, some follow up for me: doing the big prune 3 days or so into flowering (from-seed plants) will still work okay right? Not too late right? I know it would be better sooner, but certain canna-clergy are looking at their first good opportunity at that point after getting hit with unexpectedly early transplant chores (they've learned *too* much vigor can throw off your calendar!!)...

Posted by Pistilwhipt

No sweat rev. trim those ladies up bro... Peace , PW

Question:

Hey PW, is there a general too late time to trim, I'm thinking like 2-3 weeks in flower, cuz i like ta burn sativa.

Posted by Pistilwhipt

Which part of the method are you looking to do? Top or train or both or other?

I think you could still train em right if you already have enough flower tops going, but veg is the time to fim or top clone these ladies, imho. you can trim your fan leaves that are blocking potential budsites, though.

Two weeks is generally the cut off for most plants, other than heavy sativa influenced strains. A good rule of thumb is to stop pruning once the bud sites are about the size of a pencil eraser. You def. have more time where most sativas are concerned. As far as topping you want to get that out of the way soon as
Question:

PW,

If it isn't too much of an aside, how would your pruning method differ with plants grown from seed?

Posted by Pistilwhipt

You guys are very welcome.y goal with this here nifty thread is to remove the fear of pruning from the picture for you guys. I will show that you will not lose ,in fact gain in the yield and quality dept. It's hard to imagine removing all those potential flower sites, but as you will see, it all pays off in the end.

The method would not vary at all, seed or clone. Thing to remember here is to watch your girls. Do the initial topping, and as soon as you can see the onset of your "main" branches select the ones you will keep and remove the rest. Then you follow through with the prune.

Question:

Where did you get the balls to prune so heavily in the first place? I know it has worked for you in the past; but was it something you slowly added onto little by little or did you have another plant model in mind (like the tomatoes)?

Well the balls grew a little slower than my plants...LOL!!! It took me a few years of successively more aggressive pruning before I was where I'm at now with it. Yes the train has very spindly stems...this is another example of re-directing the energy of the plant. When pruned as such the stems really pack on the meat...however they still won't be able to support the buds to come. So staking is always a must with trainwreck.

Fredfarted · 01-07-2008, 08:47 PM

Question:

How much room do you give your girls with this type of grow. How many per square foot?

Question:

Wondering if that'll be the final prune? It looks like you only leave the top 3-5 nodes? It could have been done on day 8 but what’s the latest date ? Day 14?

Posted by Pistilwhipt

Thanks guys, I put 4 girls under one 1k fixture, however in your garden the principle is the same. If it's not in the light cut it off. You want a full canopy regardless, you just want to prune all the shoots as described.

You'll have to repeat that aggressive prune at the very least one more time before they are through...The train must be tamed or she will run wild w/shoots and branches, which lead to the dreaded popcorn.

The plants will let you know when it's too late to prune. You are going to want to stop right around the time they stop stretching...this is usually about 2 weeks into flower. Each plant is different just keep your eyes peeled.

Question:

Can we assume that the yield is about the same (or better) than letting the girls go wild?

To the new grower, it seems counter intuitive to prune so much. However, after trimming the bottom half of a plant or two, one quickly realizes how much energy was spent on creating the shoot, the leaves, and other supporting structures so that the calyx may final peek out.

PW (and others):"the plants will let you know when it's too late to prune. You are going to want to stop right around the time they stop stretching"

So when they stop stretching, are the girls (for the most part) done with creating new flowers ?

Yes the yields are expected to be at the very least comparable to letting 'em run wild...in my experience it has always increased yield. When they stop stretching they are done creating new shoots for the most part, however they will continue to stack on the calyxes'. Yes I think it'll be the final major prune, always keep your eyes peeled for some sneaky shoots making a last ditch effort to fire off. Every plant is a little different as far as when to stop pruning , and only experience will guide you there, this is just a "primer" if you will...2 weeks into flower is a general rule of thumb. As far as far as # of nodes left behind depending on variety...well the point here is to prune to 3 or 4 nodes regardless of variety. With a sativa dom. it just means that a week or so after the first major prune you will most likely have to come back and prune again as the nodes you left behind earlier have now stretched and left 3or4 more above. If you practice this you should not have any fluffy buds period! With the exception very heavy sativa doms of course. Train stretches quite a bit , more than doubles it's size from drop of lights to 12/12.Yes lav. is a more indica dom. , and yes I prune all my plants in this way
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
if you prune with horizontal lighting, your popcorn buds will be redirected into larger main colas. With vertical lighting, you're going to have a whole plant of large colas because the lower buds are getting the same amount of lighting as the top buds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actually bro I have to disagree...You can have all of the light in the world and the buds are only going to get as large/dense as you let them. The whole idea behind this technique is to re-direct the energy of the plant to fewer/stronger bud sites. Whether you garden horizontally ,vertically, indoors, or out. All this aside I have been using this method for years, and not once have I ever reached a point of diminishing returns. I'm not saying that point can't be reached, perhaps if you were to continue pruning on into say the 5th week of flower or something extreme you might see a decrease in over all yield. For the most part I believe the "diminishing returns" fear needs to be shelved along with the other antiquated ways of thinking ie; never re-use your soil, successive transplanting from clone to final container is necessary for plant health, etc...The list goes on...we are pushing the limits of cultivation of our beloved herb. We are the cutting edge! With all due respect the books will only get you so far, and it's hard to shake some of the old ways of thinking.

That's the idea, push your girls to within their limits. They will love you for it and reward you with the huge dense frosty nugz you've been dreaming of!!!
Question:
Are you trimming any fan leaves as well?

"Well there are actually 6-8 main branches, and no side shoots. The whole idea is to prune all side shoots as you go leaving behind as few as three or four top nodes per branch. Continue this all the way up to approx. 10 days into flower. PW"

I'm about 4 weeks into bud, and between wks 3 & 4, i noticed a number of very small flowers trying to develop down low.

Sorry to ask the obvious, but are saying you don't remove anything else after 10 days, or 10 days is a decent window to cut major growth off

Posted by Pistilwhipt

As far as doing any major pruning @4wks I wouldn't suggest it, you would def. cut into yield. I would still remove any obvious popcorn way down low as this won't effect yield much at all if any.

The methods I'm laying down here have changed the way I garden forever. It changes the whole grow...from clone to harvest. Early and aggressive pruning techniques produce top notch results every time. Even the manicuring is much better (obviously) when you are working with larger, denser buds. The motivation behind this thread was the fact that I wanted to share this knowledge, and help others overcome the fear of "pruning too much".

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How Many Plants Do I REALLY Need To Grow?	ISO2BWELL	The Medical Garden	14	07-22-2008 10:50 PM
Help me stress my plants!	diesel dude	Advanced growing techniques	10	06-20-2008 01:03 AM
plants drooping over	Cheese_Fantasy	The Hospital	18	02-23-2008 04:27 PM
thc content of plants	Verwegener	Advanced growing techniques	2	11-27-2007 08:00 PM
How do you sex your plants?	greenpassion	Submit a Proposal for the GrowFAQ	23	11-14-2007 01:25 PM

How to prune your plants

Indoor Growing