We all need a little support sometimes—our weed plants are no different! For all of my growmies out there, I’m sure you’ve already learned the benefits of low stress training, but have you tried trellising and staking your weed plants as well?
Trellising and staking are two of the most commonly used cannabis plant support techniques growers utilize—providing optimal structure and airflow, better bud weight support, and increased final yields. Let’s explore each technique and how you, the humanoid home grower, can apply it to your indoor or outdoor setup.
A trellis is essentially a wire or mesh screen or net that can be fitted onto a metal, plastic, or wood frame. The individual branches and bud sites are then fit through the net or mesh so that they can each receive an even amount of airflow and light penetration. These factors alone have the potential to contribute heavily to mold control and exceptional bud development. [1] Here are a few of the most popular ways for trellising weed plants.
At this point, the hope is that you’ve honed your LST and pruning techniques to take things to the next level. For indoor growers, setting up a Screen of Green or ScrOG has become the standard for achieving a horizontal trellis for their weed plants. The simple addition of a ScrOG net and its sturdy frame promotes a more level canopy and improved horizontal growth.
When using the ScrOG method, it’s important to begin the process a few weeks before you flip to flower during the vegetative stage. That way, your plant has been able to grow most of its many branches and shoots mature enough that you can eventually bend, twist, and corral them within the netting.
Once the ScrOG screen is fitted around your plants and is secured, be sure to continue to lollipop individual stems and branches while trimming away any extra leaves. This ensures that your weed plant can focus all of its energy on developing the buds to their maximum potential. Ensure all colas are receiving the same amount of light and that the canopy is still a safe distance away from the lights.
Above the net, growmies must be aware of removing fan leaves that may be getting in the way of the bud sites, without putting any extra stress on your weed plant if possible. Fan leaves are essential for photosynthesis. Clips and ties are also your friends to help your weed plant stay in place as it matures.
Outdoor weed plants can very often use some support too. Many outdoor plants don’t have the same space restrictions as their indoor counterparts, so they have the inherent ability to just keep growing bigger and badder to the point where they can become way too top-heavy and lack enough support.
Eventually, all of that mass needs a helping hand, and that’s where a vertical trellis can come into play. Vertical trellises are beneficial for several reasons, including:
Another fantastic way that growers of all levels support the branches of their weed plants is by staking them. Typically made of metal, plastic, bamboo, or unfinished wood, stakes are similar to trellises in that they lend support to specific branches or the main stem. They’re also similar in that their role is to keep branches from being damaged or destroyed by the weight of heavy buds. Staking is also super easy and efficient for indoor and outdoor grows. There are several ways to stake it up with your growth.
Single stakes are used to support the upward growth of your weed plant. Very simply, just insert a single wooden stake into the soil area closest to the main stem in order to lift it and keep it mobilized.
Cage staking is when a grower uses a wood, plastic, or wire-based cage around the entire plant, giving the branches a variety of support sites. Roll the cylindrical cage around the entire plant and insert two stakes into the soil to support it. Create the cage at the time of planting in order to train the branches as they mature. [2]
Multi-stakes can be used to rescue or support specific branches that may look like they could use some help or have been damaged. This method is an excellent go-to for outdoor grows with more than a few branches in need of support. Each stake can be fastened at the top to create a tripod-like structure. Branches and stems can then be woven throughout each staked area so that they grow along the structure. [2]
Stake and weave is for multiple outdoor plants in a row. Stakes measuring about 5’–6′ are spaced about 6′ or so from one another. Cord is then tied to the initial stake at about ½’–1′ above the ground, and then run around to the next stake at the same level.
This process is repeated around each stake. Keep the cord tight, and the plants will be supported between the stakes. Prune and defoliate as needed. [2]
By combining trellising and staking techniques, growers can customize how they want to support the weight of increasingly dense and heavy bud colas. Trellising and staking your weed plants can be used interchangeably and on an individual basis.
A good rule of green thumb is to use a ScrOG method for your indoor grow due to its efficiency with space limitations. Outdoor plants and sativas can tend to grow very tall, so that’s why some mixture of trellising and staking is ideal. The same goes for any plant starting to get nice and chonky with increased density and weight.
Try different methods of each technique to see what works best for your grow’s needs. And as always, be mindful and avoid being heavy-handed when doing anything physical with your plants.
Have questions about cannabis plant support, staking materials, trellising options, or which technique is best for your grow space? Contact the experts at Multiverse Beans and we’ll help you support your grow—literally and figuratively—with tools, tips, and the best cannabis seeds for every grow style
