Stem Splitting Technique for Cannabis: Is It Worth The Risk?
Stems splitting is a technique that has been around since before the 60s. It made its debut in the spotlight when word spread that it gave Columbia Gold its stunning color and potent trichomes.
With the right application, this technique has the ability to use plant stress to your advantage. Let’s discuss more about how it works, why you should use it and the risks associated with it. I’ll also unpack the step-by-step method to achieving success when you split stems.
What is stem splitting, and why do you need it?
Stem splitting is a high-stress training (HST) technique like supercropping. It involves making a vertical cut across one of the plant’s main stalks before harvest. You might be thinking it’s crazy, but expert growers swear by it.
It’s an aggressive growing technique that was popularized by outdoor Dutch cultivators. Since it’s a high-stress method used so close to harvest, it’s a controversial topic among growers.
So if stem splitting is such a stressful technique, why do some expert growers insist on its effectiveness? They believe that it forces the plant to take up more nutrients, resulting in fatter, juicier buds.
The specifics of cannabis anatomy allows them to recover from high stress better than most flora. Cannabis produces a layer of trichomes. We enjoy these potent crystals for their psychedelic or soothing effects.
The reality is that resin is a form of disease prevention. The plant releases it to keep pests away and protect it from harsh elements.
By causing slight harm to the plant before harvest, growers trick it into creating more trichomes to protect itself. When they split a stem, it leaves them with resin-heavy, potent buds, and boosted yields.
If you want to increase your yields and boost the production of trichomes, it could be an excellent option. It’s especially useful for less potent or generous strains, as it could help you get the most out of them.
What are the risks involved in splitting stems?
This method is aggressive and stresses the plant out, making it risky. It’s generally not advisable to do anything potentially harmful, especially during flowering and before harvesting, but splitting is the exception.
It’s important to learn how to grow weed before stem splitting. Beginners should avoid HST methods like this one, as it could destroy the entire harvest if done wrong.
Autoflowers typically don’t take well to extreme stress and they don’t have as much time to recover.
Indoor plants are also at risk of severe stem damage from splitting. They have trouble recovering from the high-stress.
Bear in mind that only strains with high THC levels and a generous resin count generate copious trichomes using stem slicing. It’s impossible to push a plant further than what its genes allow. Using this technique on low-potency strains can cause cracked stems and poor yields.
If done incorrectly, this method can affect the stem’s health and cause growth abnormalities. Ensure the plant is healthy, and the environment is ideal, as cutting into an unhealthy one may destroy it. Without adequate sunlight, nutrition, and water, cannabis won’t survive a stem split.
When to start stem splitting marijuana plants
Stem slicing is a time-sensitive technique. If you do it too early, your plants will stress out, and it could give you a measly yield. Make the cut too late and it causes unnecessary harm to the structural integrity and no changes to the buds.
Some growers prefer the last week of flowering, while others insist the stem should be split three days prior to harvest. The general agreement is that splitting renders the best results when it’s done 7–10 days beforehand.
How to split your cannabis stems: Step-by-step
Are you ready to try this method on your outdoor cannabis plants? It’s easier than you think and only requires basic tools. Let’s unpack how to grow marijuana with the stem split technique:
Gather these items:
- 3 skewers
- A roll of good-quality string
- 1 tape measure
- A non-serrated knife
Follow these steps:
- Sterilize the tools and thoroughly wash your hands. Ensure the area is clean since you’re making a cut so your plants will be prone to infections and bacteria.
- Using the measuring tape, start around one or two inches under the lowest branch. Measure about 8 inches up the stem.
- Mark that point by wrapping the string at both ends of the measurements. These markings reveal the areas that your split shouldn’t cross.
- With gentle pressure, press the edge of the knife into the middle of the measured section.
- Slide the blade down in a slow, focused motion to split the center of the stem. Use your fingers to put pressure on the outside of the stem so you don’t mistakenly break it.
- Open the slice up and slot a skewer into the middle of it.
- Put the two remaining skewers on both sides to keep the slice open and prevent it from completely healing.
- Pull the outer skewers through the tied-off strings so they’re secured. Wait for the final harvest.
Splitting stems & yields
Splitting stems before harvest is a controversial technique to get dense buds, sticky trichomes, and large yields. The thought of making a cut in your greenery may freak you out, but this plant’s resilience is better than we think.
Use the right technique by following these steps and your next harvest might be the best one yet. The first step in any grow project is buying quality cannabis seeds. Shop our collection of stabilized, feminized seeds perfect for the stem split method.