WilliamJBud
Well-Known Member
Thanks bro
Hows & Whys Of Supercropping
- Thread starter InTheShed
- Start date
nobodyhere
Well-Known Member
I just SC'ed three nodes on the Nagual thats been outside for 15 days now....dunno if it's flowering yet?
- Thread starter
- #23
I'm pretty sure you've grown enough weed to know when a plant is flowering.
nobodyhere
Well-Known Member
Well, it got sprayed and overwatered for the first few days it was outside with really dark skies, plus I was keeping it undercover bc I was spraying it....so dunno if the stress from that pushed things out abit.
But the nodes I 'cropped yesterday already made their adjustments today.
It looks like it wants to flower, prob just starting good.
Ossi Ossi
Well-Known Member
That's a beautiful specimen broAnyone interested in a bit on supercropping? Here is my introduction to the technique. I don't deal so much on the actual way to perform a supercrop, but the reasons and places to do it:
DISCLAIMER: This is high stress plant training and I do not recommend it for an autoflower plant. Not that you won't see people do it to theirs, I just don't recommend it. It definitely slows down the plant while it recovers.
Supercropping is a technique where you bend the stem at something close to a 90º angle, snapping the internal fibers of the plant in the process. It can be done in flower, though it's usually performed in veg. There are loads of videos on how to do it so I won't go into a detailed description. Generally, you squeeze the stem where you want the bend to be until you feel the plant's tissue give way, and then lay the upper part of the branch over at a right angle.
With thinner or woodier stems that are harder to crush, I rock them back and forth over my thumbnail until they soften enough to lay over.
The stem eventually forms a "knuckle" at the bend, and it increases the nutrient pathways to the top part of that branch. That's not usually why we do it, but it's another positive result. And if done early in flower (like at the end of stretch when you know who are the leaders), it can result in larger buds on that branch.
Now let's talk about why we supercrop our plants. The traditional reason is that it keeps the plant canopy level, making all your potential bud-sites the same distance from the lights. In this instance, the leaders are bent at the level of the rest of the canopy, usually toward the outside edge of the tent so as not to cover lower growth.
But there are other reasons to use this technique, for both indoor and outdoor growers (who don't need a level canopy).
Besides leveling the canopy, here are two additional reasons to supercrop.
First, to greatly increase the number of bud-sites. Every time you flatten a branch, everything that would have been larf can now become a new top. Here is where I bent an AK-47 branch:
And here is how many new tops were created by that one bend:
All of that lower growth will now head directly toward the light.
[Note that when you are thinning your undergrowth, keep the supercrop option in mind. If you strip everything underneath there will be no shoots to grow new tops. So if you plan on supercropping, thin with the future in mind.]
And second, supercropping to make room for other supercropping! In this example I bent branch that has no lower branches to grow up, but I've bent it away to clear room to bend a different branch that does have lower branches that I want to expose. (Read the boxes in numbered order so it makes sense.):
If I had just bent the top branch it would have covered the bud-sites on the lower branch, so I bent that out of the way first.
And I will often bend a branch into the middle of a plant so the plant doesn't get too wide, as long as there is an empty spot to fill in, or some weak growth below you will be pruning at some point anyway. You can see an example of that here:
Top left was supercropped inward to keep it within the existing outer circle of the plant, and middle left was cropped outward to fill in the space.
One last trick, for those crops that refuse to stay down, attach a small binder clip to a paper clip and hang that from the branch (you can just make out the paper clip at the arrow):
Two final pics. This is an AK-47 where I used all these techniques:
6.3 ounces and Plant of the Month!
Questions welcome.
Ossi Ossi
Well-Known Member
How far down the coma do you bendAnyone interested in a bit on supercropping? Here is my introduction to the technique. I don't deal so much on the actual way to perform a supercrop, but the reasons and places to do it:
DISCLAIMER: This is high stress plant training and I do not recommend it for an autoflower plant. Not that you won't see people do it to theirs, I just don't recommend it. It definitely slows down the plant while it recovers.
Supercropping is a technique where you bend the stem at something close to a 90º angle, snapping the internal fibers of the plant in the process. It can be done in flower, though it's usually performed in veg. There are loads of videos on how to do it so I won't go into a detailed description. Generally, you squeeze the stem where you want the bend to be until you feel the plant's tissue give way, and then lay the upper part of the branch over at a right angle.
With thinner or woodier stems that are harder to crush, I rock them back and forth over my thumbnail until they soften enough to lay over.
The stem eventually forms a "knuckle" at the bend, and it increases the nutrient pathways to the top part of that branch. That's not usually why we do it, but it's another positive result. And if done early in flower (like at the end of stretch when you know who are the leaders), it can result in larger buds on that branch.
Now let's talk about why we supercrop our plants. The traditional reason is that it keeps the plant canopy level, making all your potential bud-sites the same distance from the lights. In this instance, the leaders are bent at the level of the rest of the canopy, usually toward the outside edge of the tent so as not to cover lower growth.
But there are other reasons to use this technique, for both indoor and outdoor growers (who don't need a level canopy).
Besides leveling the canopy, here are two additional reasons to supercrop.
First, to greatly increase the number of bud-sites. Every time you flatten a branch, everything that would have been larf can now become a new top. Here is where I bent an AK-47 branch:
And here is how many new tops were created by that one bend:
All of that lower growth will now head directly toward the light.
[Note that when you are thinning your undergrowth, keep the supercrop option in mind. If you strip everything underneath there will be no shoots to grow new tops. So if you plan on supercropping, thin with the future in mind.]
And second, supercropping to make room for other supercropping! In this example I bent branch that has no lower branches to grow up, but I've bent it away to clear room to bend a different branch that does have lower branches that I want to expose. (Read the boxes in numbered order so it makes sense.):
If I had just bent the top branch it would have covered the bud-sites on the lower branch, so I bent that out of the way first.
And I will often bend a branch into the middle of a plant so the plant doesn't get too wide, as long as there is an empty spot to fill in, or some weak growth below you will be pruning at some point anyway. You can see an example of that here:
Top left was supercropped inward to keep it within the existing outer circle of the plant, and middle left was cropped outward to fill in the space.
One last trick, for those crops that refuse to stay down, attach a small binder clip to a paper clip and hang that from the branch (you can just make out the paper clip at the arrow):
Two final pics. This is an AK-47 where I used all these techniques:
6.3 ounces and Plant of the Month!
Questions welcome.
Ossi Ossi
Well-Known Member
Cola
- Thread starter
- #28
Thanks OO!
Most of the time I bend at the level of the existing canopy or maybe a bit below, whether in flower or veg.
Wow! What a great and informative post. Thank you for all of it. I was sent here via @AdaminCO and the link in his signature. Really appreciate the wisdom folks.
- Thread starter
- #30
Always glad to help where I can. Thanks for stopping by Baked!
- Thread starter
- #31
Howdy gang! Here is a pic of my most recent AK-47 after harvest where you can see all the bending and branching:
This plant produced 242 grams / 8.54 oz dry.
Now let's take a closeer look at the supercrops on a single branch:
The first bend added a second top.
The second bend added another.
The third bend added another.
The fourth bend added two more.
And the fifth bend added one more after that.
Had I not supercropped, I would have had one top. With five bends I ended up with seven tops. Multiply this by the 10 or so branches I had in the end and you can see why I supercrop!
This plant produced 242 grams / 8.54 oz dry.
Now let's take a closeer look at the supercrops on a single branch:
The first bend added a second top.
The second bend added another.
The third bend added another.
The fourth bend added two more.
And the fifth bend added one more after that.
Had I not supercropped, I would have had one top. With five bends I ended up with seven tops. Multiply this by the 10 or so branches I had in the end and you can see why I supercrop!
Remystemple
Well-Known Member
very good. thanks for sharing.
I have some white widows in hempies that are getting a super long veg. i decided to quadline them and already started to sc the middle branches that are getting too high. it's a great technique for sure. ties are a royal pain in the ass. i tied down all the 4 mains but am about to take the ties off, if they're not fully trained i'll sc them too.
seeing the branch in the last pic really shows us what we're going for.
Bang on Buddy. Thanks again.
I have some white widows in hempies that are getting a super long veg. i decided to quadline them and already started to sc the middle branches that are getting too high. it's a great technique for sure. ties are a royal pain in the ass. i tied down all the 4 mains but am about to take the ties off, if they're not fully trained i'll sc them too.
seeing the branch in the last pic really shows us what we're going for.
Bang on Buddy. Thanks again.
Opar
Well-Known Member
Wow, what size of pot is that @InTheShed ? Well done, thanks for the reference, I will definitely attempt a similar structure next grow
- Thread starter
- #34
That AK was in a 7 gallon with ProMix HP and MegaCrop nutes.
Good luck with the next grow Opar!
Good luck with the next grow Opar!
Opar
Well-Known Member
Thank you InTheShed!
Canuckush
Well-Known Member
Outstanding tutorial!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Herby Paisley
Well-Known Member
Your an Ace grower in my books... InTheShed... I've learned a lot about growing over the years from reading your threads and journals and a few others on here... Glad to see you are still around giving good tips and tricks on growing! 
greenjeans
Well-Known Member
Thanx for all that info Shed!!!! If I had studied this a few months ago I wouldn't have had to raise my greenhouse roof twice and adjust my outdoor covers twice!!!! Live and learn !!! Well, at least LIVE!!! 
Thanks --Best information I have ever seen ---- Peace will refer to thisAnyone interested in a bit on supercropping? Here is my introduction to the technique. I don't deal so much on the actual way to perform a supercrop, but the reasons and places to do it:
DISCLAIMER: This is high stress plant training and I do not recommend it for an autoflower plant. Not that you won't see people do it to theirs, I just don't recommend it. It definitely slows down the plant while it recovers.
Supercropping is a technique where you bend the stem at something close to a 90º angle, snapping the internal fibers of the plant in the process. It can be done in flower, though it's usually performed in veg. There are loads of videos on how to do it so I won't go into a detailed description. Generally, you squeeze the stem where you want the bend to be until you feel the plant's tissue give way, and then lay the upper part of the branch over at a right angle.
With thinner or woodier stems that are harder to crush, I rock them back and forth over my thumbnail until they soften enough to lay over.
The stem eventually forms a "knuckle" at the bend, and it increases the nutrient pathways to the top part of that branch. That's not usually why we do it, but it's another positive result. And if done early in flower (like at the end of stretch when you know who are the leaders), it can result in larger buds on that branch.
Now let's talk about why we supercrop our plants. The traditional reason is that it keeps the plant canopy level, making all your potential bud-sites the same distance from the lights. In this instance, the leaders are bent at the level of the rest of the canopy, usually toward the outside edge of the tent so as not to cover lower growth.
But there are other reasons to use this technique, for both indoor and outdoor growers (who don't need a level canopy).
Besides leveling the canopy, here are two additional reasons to supercrop.
First, to greatly increase the number of bud-sites. Every time you flatten a branch, everything that would have been larf can now become a new top. Here is where I bent an AK-47 branch:
And here is how many new tops were created by that one bend:
All of that lower growth will now head directly toward the light.
[Note that when you are thinning your undergrowth, keep the supercrop option in mind. If you strip everything underneath there will be no shoots to grow new tops. So if you plan on supercropping, thin with the future in mind.]
And second, supercropping to make room for other supercropping! In this example I bent branch that has no lower branches to grow up, but I've bent it away to clear room to bend a different branch that does have lower branches that I want to expose. (Read the boxes in numbered order so it makes sense.):
If I had just bent the top branch it would have covered the bud-sites on the lower branch, so I bent that out of the way first.
And I will often bend a branch into the middle of a plant so the plant doesn't get too wide, as long as there is an empty spot to fill in, or some weak growth below you will be pruning at some point anyway. You can see an example of that here:
Top left was supercropped inward to keep it within the existing outer circle of the plant, and middle left was cropped outward to fill in the space.
One last trick, for those crops that refuse to stay down, attach a small binder clip to a paper clip and hang that from the branch (you can just make out the paper clip at the arrow):
Two final pics. This is an AK-47 where I used all these techniques:
6.3 ounces and Plant of the Month!
Questions welcome.
- Thread starter
- #40
Thanks safeman! Glad to be able to pass along what I've learned
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