Supercropping

Supercropping is one of the most powerful — and intimidating — training techniques in cannabis cultivation. The technique deliberately damages the internal vascular tissue of a stem while preserving the outer epidermis, forcing the plant to repair the wound by building thicker, more conductive tissue at the injury site. The procedure: identify a young flexible stem during late vegetative growth (week 4-6), pinch it firmly between thumb and forefinger about 1-2cm above a node, and gradually rock the stem back and forth while applying pressure until you feel the internal fibers crackle and the stem becomes pliable. Then bend the stem to a 90-degree horizontal angle and secure it in place with a tie if necessary. Within 24-72 hours the wound site swells into a visible "knuckle" or callus that contains enlarged xylem and phloem channels capable of transporting more water, nutrients, and sugars than the original stem. The branch heals stronger than before and the now-horizontal cola receives improved light exposure. Properly supercropped plants typically yield 15-30% more from the manipulated cola. Critical mistakes: pinching too hard breaks the stem completely (use duct tape or grafting tape to repair), pinching during flowering stresses the plant into hermaphroditism, and supercropping woody mature stems instead of flexible young ones simply snaps them. Supercropping is most effective when combined with LST and topping for full canopy control. Autoflowers can be supercropped only during the first 3-4 weeks of life since they cannot afford recovery time later.