The Ultimate Guide to Pruning Cannabis

Pruning cannabis plants is a bit of a contentious subject.

Some growers swear by it, quoting sometimes outlandish figures regarding how much they have been able to boost their final harvest numbers. Others stand firmly on the other side of the fence, stating that they have managed to achieve the same results without ever having pruned a plant in their life., and that pruning can do more harm than good.

So,

• What’s the deal with pruning marijuana plants?
• Does it make a difference in the growth and yield of cannabis plants?
• Is it necessary for all weed strains?

Let’s find out…

What is Weed Pruning?

Pruning cannabis plants is the process of selectively removing parts of a plant to encourage healthier growth, bigger buds, and higher yields. In the case of everyone’s favorite plants, pruning is usually reserved for the large fan leaves, but certain High-Stress Training techniques involve cutting parts of that plant that, to the uninitiated, might seem a little more crucial.

Understanding the Importance of Pruning for Cannabis Yield

If you are just starting down the road towards stacking up jars of your very own homegrown weed, the idea of taking scissors to your precious ladies may seem somewhat counterintuitive. You’ve spent months researching how to grow the best weed possible, which strains would be best for your grow space, and how to make sure you get the most bountiful yields. You want to treat your crop with all the care you can and baby them towards success.

So, why go at them with a pair of scissors?

One simple answer – to force the plants to redirect as much of their energy as possible into bud production, rather than spending that energy on growing massive fan leaves. On top of this, removing some of the unneeded foliage can also open up the canopy to more light penetration and airflow, both essential elements for healthy growth and development.

Removing the larger fan leaves can also help with bugs and mold prevention, as these areas tend to collect moisture and create a breeding ground for pests. And if you see any leaves that look damaged or diseased, it’s even more important to remove them promptly before they can spread to the rest of the plant.

Getting Started: Basic Tools and Techniques for Pruning Cannabis

There are really only a couple of bits of kit that you’ll need to get your soil-covered paws on before starting to make some pruning cuts.

• Trimming scissors – Unless you are growing outdoor behemoths, a pair of good-quality trimming scissors will be all you need. You are going to need to buy these anyway once it comes time to trim the harvest, so you may as well invest in some now. Make sure they are clean and sharp before starting to prune.
• Gloves – More essential for indoor plants than those grown outdoors, a pair of snug-fitting nitrile gloves will save your hands from getting sticky, and also help protect the plant, Remember, you are making cuts, which opens up the plant to potential infections.
• Rubbing alcohol, alcohol wipes, or hand sanitizer – Keeping your tools clean and sterile is important when making any cuts to plants. Impurities can lead to infections, which can significantly harm the plant’s overall health.

Some pruning techniques may call for a few more tools, such as a scalpel or plant ties, but these are the basics you’ll need to get started with pruning.

Techniques vary depending on the individual grower, but there are some general rules to follow when it comes to pruning:

• Timing – The best time to prune is during the vegetative growth phase. This is when the plant can bounce back quickly from any cuts and redirect its energy into growth. Heavy pruning during flower production will likely stunt growth and reduce yields.
• Know what you are cutting – While it may be tempting to start hacking away at any excess foliage, but it is essential to be strategic when pruning marijuana plants. Remove only the larger fan leaves that are blocking light and airflow, damaged or diseased leaves, and any small stems that won’t produce high-quality buds.
• Start small – If you are new to pruning cannabis, start with just a few leaves and see how the plant reacts. You can always prune more later in the growth cycle if necessary.
• Be gentle – When making cuts, be careful not to damage any other parts of the plant. Use clean, sharp tools and make clean cuts close to the main stem.

Deep Dive into the Cannabis Plant: Identifying What to Prune

Basic weed plant pruning is all about the fan leaves. That doesn’t mean you should be cutting away every single plant leaf as soon as it pops up, not at all.

Strategically removing the fan leaves and certain branches during the growth cycle can help improve yields and overall plant health. But what do you look for when deciding which leaves to prune?

• Large fan leaves are the main target for pruning as they block light and airflow from reaching lower parts of the plant.
• Damaged or diseased leaves – These should always be removed as disease can spread to the rest of the plant.
• Lower branches – Some growers choose to prune lower branches that aren’t exposed to much light or won’t produce high-quality buds. This can help redirect energy towards the top of the plant and improve overall yield.

Mastering Timing: When to Prune Your Cannabis Plants

When pruning weed plants, the timing is crucial.

Fan leaves can be removed almost anytime, but you should avoid heavy pruning during the flowering phase. This is when the plant needs all its energy to produce buds, and any major cuts can stunt growth and reduce yields.

Some growers have specific weeks when they like to prune the fan leaves, but we don’t necessarily advise that as an unbreakable rule. Instead, pay attention to your plants. Each strain will grow differently, and it’s essential to take note of how your plants react to pruning.

Bushy Indica strains will probably need more frequent and aggressive pruning, while the taller growing Sativas may not need as much. Keep an eye on the growth patterns and adjust your pruning schedule accordingly.

We like to carefully cut about 25% – 35% of the fan leaves away near the end of the veg cycle. This helps to create a more open canopy, allowing light and air to penetrate deeper into the plant.

Once the pre-flowers start showing, you can also gently remove some of the lower branches to redirect energy towards the top buds. This is also a good time to remove any damaged or diseased leaves.

During the flowering phase, we only remove damaged or diseased leaves and any fan leaves blocking significant bud sites. Remember to always be gentle and only prune as needed; don’t go overboard.

Some growers remove all fan leaves in the last few weeks before harvest, but this isn’t necessary. In fact, those fan leaves can still provide energy to the plant right up until harvest time.

Pruning for Indoor versus Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation

There aren’t really any differences between pruning indoor cannabis plants versus outdoor ones, but some considerations need to be made when growing outdoors.

Depending on the strain you are growing and how long it has been vegging for, outdoor plants can get quite large. The plants will naturally ‘spread out’, which will allow more light penetration and airflow without the need for pruning so heavily. You will still want to remove some of the larger fan leaves to boost that air circulation and light exposure, but be very careful.

Outdoor plants are more likely to be exposed to disease, pests, and mold. So, make sure you are pruning with clean, sharp tools and only remove what is necessary.

Learning from the Pros: Pruning Tips and Tricks from Master Growers

• Fan leaves pruning should be done as close to the branch as possible.
• When cutting away branches, it’s a good idea to leave about half an inch of the branch still attached to the main stem.
• Clean cuts are vital. One of the most common mistakes new growers make is accidentally peeling back the “skin” of the plant. This is super risky, as the “skin” is essentially a protective layer for the plant.

Mistakes to Avoid When Pruning Cannabis Plants

• Over-pruning weed plants is the biggest mistake. The last thing you want to do is to remove too many leaves and branches, leaving your plant struggling to recover. It’s always better to prune less than necessary than more. Remember, fan leaves are the solar panels of the plant, and they are crucial for photosynthesis.
• Another mistake is pruning too late in the growth cycle. Heavy pruning during the flowering phase can harm your plant’s chance at producing the best yield possible.
• Not being gentle enough – When pruning cannabis plants, be very careful not to damage any other parts of the plant. Use sharp tools and make clean cuts close to the branch or main stem.
• Not cleaning hands/tools before pruning. This may seem minor, but it’s important to clean your hands and tools before pruning to avoid transferring any diseases or pests to your plants. Sanitizing wipes or rubbing alcohol can be used for cleaning tools.

Combining Pruning with Other Yield-Boosting Techniques

Plant training techniques can be combined with pruning to help your crop reach its maximum potential. Topping or fimming, lollipopping, and low-stress training (LST) can all help create a more even canopy and expose lower branches to more light.

ScrOG (screen of green) nets are also a great idea for most growers. These netting systems can help train the plant’s growth and create an even canopy, making pruning easier in the long run.

Post-Pruning Care: Ensuring Your Cannabis Plants Recover Strongly

After you prune or HST your crop, it’s time to really look after them.

We advise that you ease off on the nutrients by about 25% for the next few days, and then resume the regular feeding schedule.

Before you start pruning or heavily stress training your weed plants, give the growing area a deep clean. Grab a bottle of diluted bleach and give the floors and walls a good clean, as well as all your equipment. This will help prevent any potential infection by bacteria or disease. Once you have made all the cuts, get rid of all the removed plant material, and disinfect again.

Monitoring Growth: Understanding the Impact of Pruning on Your Yield

Pruning cannabis plants will almost always result in a few days of stunted growth. This is to be expected, so don’t worry if you notice a slight slowdown in the growth rate. After about a week though, the plants should return to their usual pace.

If you notice heavy wilting, yellowing leaves, or any other signs of over-stress after pruning, it’s important to take action immediately. You may be over- or under-watering, which is easily fixed, but if disease or pests are the issues, it’s essential to address them as soon as possible. Keep a close eye on your plants and make sure they are slowly bouncing back.

Periodic Pruning: Maintaining Your Cannabis Garden for Optimal Growth

By periodically pruning cannabis, you can ensure that you don’t over-stress the plants. Wait until they have reached full vegetative growth (after the third node has appeared) before starting a pruning session.

It’s also important to let the plant fully recover before pruning again. This may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the strain. By removing only a few leaves at a time, you can ensure your plant stays healthy and has the energy needed to reach its full yield potential.

Pruning and Pests: How Regular Trimming Can Keep Bugs at Bay

Bugs and pests love fan leaves. The fan leaves’ underside is where most invasive pests like to live and lay their eggs.

Pruning back the bigger fan leaves regularly can make it harder for pests to hide, reducing the risk of infestation and allowing for easier pest control.

Even if you aren’t pruning, you should make it a habit to check your plants daily, and to try and check the underside of all the leaves. No matter how careful you are, at some point, bugs are going to invade your crop. It’s just a part of growing. But by keeping up with regular pruning and inspections, you can catch any infestations early on and take action to protect your plants.

Remember, preventative steps are the best way to avoid pests and diseases, so make pruning a regular part of your plant care routine. Not only will it benefit the health of your plants, but it should also add to the final bud weight.

Spotlight on Strains: Pruning Techniques for Different Types of Cannabis

Lemon Cherry Gelato

Lemon Cherry Gelato Is a pretty easy strain to grow, perfect for all levels. The slight Indica dominance results in a short, compact plant with tight internodes. For this strain, we recommend combining LST and topping with regular light pruning for the best results.

Permanent Marker

Permanent Marker is one of the most popular strains of the last 12 months, and it’s easy to see why. THC levels above 30%, perfect for indoor or outdoor settings, and with a flowering time of less than ten weeks. This evenly balanced hybrid again sticks more to the Indica side of the spectrum growth-wise, but is a little more spread out. This allows for more space between branches so you can combine pruning with a ScrOG net, and a few tops for the best results.

Lilac Diesel

Lilac Diesel is another newcomer that’s really pushing the envelope. One of the most gorgeous strains ever produced, with buds *covered in trichomes so white they almost look like diamonds. She develops quickly and aggressively, growing medium-length internodes and extensive lateral branching. This makes her ideal for a combination of lollipopping and pruning.

Paris OG

Paris OG is 75% Indica queen, and that is very much apparent in how she grows. This short, stocky plant can handle a lot of stress and responds brilliantly to most pruning techniques. We recommend you top her at least three times while also pruning away up to 50% of the fan leaves before flowering begins.

Final Thoughts: Trusting Your Gut and Adjusting as Needed

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to marijuana/cannabis/weed pruning. Every plant has different needs, and as you become more familiar with growing, you will learn to trust your instincts and adjust your techniques accordingly.

Remember, pruning is all about promoting healthy growth and maximizing yield potential. Slight stunted growth after pruning is normal, but if you notice any signs of over-stress or pests, it’s important to take action immediately.

Regular cannabis pruning can also help prevent infestations and promote overall plant health. Experiment with different techniques and don’t be afraid to make adjustments as needed, and remember, have fun!