Supercropping: Controlled Stem Damage That Boosts Growth
By The Budometry TeamPublished Updated
Supercropping deliberately damages the inner tissue of a stem so it can be bent past its normal limit. The plant repairs the site with a thick knuckle that carries more nutrients.
Part of our pillar guide: Plant Training, Pests and Troubleshooting
Technique
Pinch a section of stem firmly between thumb and forefinger and roll it back and forth until you feel it soften. Then bend it slowly to the angle you want. The outer skin should stay intact.
If the skin splits
Wrap the split with plant tape or masking tape and support the branch. It usually heals fully within a week and often forms an even bigger knuckle.
When to use it
Late veg or the first week or two of flower, on a healthy plant, to bring a tall branch down into the canopy or to open the center of a plant. Do not supercrop a stressed or flowering-late plant.
Frequently asked questions
- Does supercropping increase potency?
- Claims exist but there is no reliable evidence. Treat it as a canopy-control technique.
The full guide on this topic
Plant Training, Pests and Troubleshooting
Topping, LST and SCROG explained, plus how to identify and stop spider mites, fungus gnats and powdery mildew, and how to read leaf symptoms correctly.