Article:
Splitting the stem of cannabis plants is a controversial technique buzzing around the cannabis forums of late. Outdoor ganja farmers in Colombia during the 1960’s and 70’s were reputed to “ring” cannabis stems a couple of weeks before harvest. A pocketknife is the only tool needed.
The practice is believed to have given Colombian Gold its golden nugget bag appeal. By inducing senescence to increase potency and break down chlorophyll, the method helped make the strain a legend, allegedly.
The splitting technique has been popularised by outdoor Dutch cultivators online. Splitting stems follows similar logic to “tree ringing”. Instead of completely removing a few layers of bark from the circumference of the stem you split it with a vertical cut through the middle. Make no mistake. This is extreme high-stress training.
When To Split Cannabis Stems
If you are going to experiment with the splitting technique, timing is crucial. Splitting the main stem of a flowering female cannabis plant 7-10 days before harvest is the window that most growers favour. Inducing high levels of stress to force the plant to produce more resin and terpenes with a split is tricking Mother Nature. Marijuana will respond to this kind of stress negatively if you split too early.
How To Split Cannabis Stems
Splitting cannabis plants stems doesn’t require brute force. Rather precision, preparation and the right tools for the job are what you need. Moreover, splitting is best suited to outdoor marijuana crops. Although, an indoor experiment can succeed following the same methodology.
First, gather up your splitting tools. Don’t worry, they are all easy to come by. You need a large, non-serrated, sharp kitchen knife, 3 pencils or kebab skewers if can get them, and some string. Next, size up your stem. Measure out an area approx 15-20cm(outdoors and about 5 cm for indoor cannabis) long from just below the lowest set of branches towards the ground.
Wrap the string around the stem a few times. Tie off two pieces of string to mark the borders of the area to be split. One for the top and one for the bottom. Then carefully drive the blade through the stem.
With one hand on the handle and the other depressing the dull side of the blade slowly and as straight as possible split the stem. All the way to the lower knot. Don’t remove the blade just yet.
While the wound is still fresh and open with the blade wedged in the bottom, insert the 3 skewers to prevent it from closing. Slide out the blade and make sure your skewers are spaced out. That’s how to split the stem of a cannabis plant
Benefits Of Splitting Cannabis Stems
Splitting is reputed to increase the potency of marijuana and possibly boost flower production too.
this high-stress method works, and they are at least reporting positive results. Experiment with one cannabis plant as a test case if you are considering it.
DISADVANTAGES OF SPLITTING
Splitting, by its very nature, is rough treatment for cannabis plants. High stress close to completing the bloom cycle is risky. For autoflower cultivators, this technique is best avoided. Similarly, novice growers should skip splitting. Unless you’re already hitting the potency barrier, the splitting technique is unlikely to push your marijuana to produces extra potent gooey buds.
I have the same question as @biggreens420 ... no drainage holes permitted?
Is there a single seed rule? No growing a few and then picking a girl as official entrant once they sex?. I’m all photo regular
@growdoctordc,if you are growing photoregular you can grow a few just till sex is shown but only one can enter the challenge😉and yes you can poke drainage holes but normaly no roots may grow out of the cup😉😉
Thank you Silky! This will be fun. I’m in it more for the camaraderie than a burning compulsion to compete against friends I’ve never met.
@Silky_smooth ... the name instantly conjures an image you surely know pops into any hetero man’s mind. I suppose only you and Bulbi know for sure 😉
I’m having a bottom bitch of a time getting my diary to load, but be assured there’s nothing to see. Eight cups of soil is all. I’ll post it when it’s less busy. Glad ya joined in mate, @DILLIGAF
I think I will join @Silky_smooth. Just gotta figure out what strain I want to run lol😊 Good luck to Everyone!!🙏 Thanks for coming up with this fun little comp👍👊
@Silky_smooth, I deff will😏👍 I was about to check out some more of your diaries yesterday but ended up getting a call to go out fishing with my buddy and make some $$ haha🙌
Yes, I believe I could give it a bash. So basically a seed in a small cup and that's it. No nutes in cup and no roots out cup. I can give it PH water. And no bigger than 0.473ml.
Is this all correct?
@Puffer_Bill, this could be fun, but i'll be relying on the experienced growers to sort of "show me how it's done" lol, i'm sure there's a fair amount technique involved - any tips welcome ! 🚀
@420Ch3f,glad to have you my friend😉happy growing and i Will ad you to the list👏🤣you understand the rules that only 1 cup can enter and it does not matter pheno or auto and half of october she has to be harvested🙏👏😉Will follow with interested and send me a Pm so i can follow the grow😉
I'm in...I'll start a diary for it in the next day or two...
This will be my first attempt at a micro-grow...pretty much the opposite of my usual modus operandi, so I'm not sure how well I'll do. But, my competitive nature won't allow me to let a chance go by to demonstrate my scary canna-skills.😀
It's ON...
Hi my friend and welcome to the contest✊I wish you good luck and happy growing i Will follow along with interest to see how the canna-whizzard works his magic wand👏👏😱😱😉😉
This was honestly inspiring! You've got some mad skills literally HST'ing the "boundaries" of autos straight out the park!💪✊ huge respect! very well done😁
@Zollies_zn,thank you very much for your kind words🙏😉they are very much appriciated and i’m humble to be a inspiration to Some people i makes me feel small yet good🙏🙏
hehe GREAT idea man! I'm gonna start my experiment..Hmm lowryder#2 or something like that maybe auto norther lights hmm-mm
But happy growing and once again awesome idea!