Monster cropping is a cultivation technique that involves taking cuttings from a plant that has already initiated its flowering phase. This method essentially forces the clone to revert its growth hormones and developmental programming back to the vegetative state. The primary goal of this intentional stress is to create highly dense, multi-branched mother plants that can produce a greater number of subsequent clones over time. By utilizing a plant already in bloom, growers can preserve desirable genetic traits they have identified in the flowering cycle without the need to maintain a separate mother plant room. This technique ultimately leads to a unique and productive growth structure.
Selecting and Taking Cuttings from Flowering Plants
The selection of the source plant and the timing of the cut are foundational to a successful monster crop. Cuttings are best taken during the middle of the flowering stage, typically between the second and fourth week of bloom. During this window, the plant is still actively producing new growth, but flower development has not progressed enough to severely inhibit the ability to revert. Taking clones much later in the cycle can significantly decrease the success rate of rooting and reversion.
The focus should be on selecting lower branches or suckers that are less exposed to direct light. These lower nodes typically have less developed floral structures, which makes them easier for the plant to transition back to vegetative growth. Once a healthy branch is identified, sterile tools must be used to make a clean cut at a 45-degree angle, preferably just below a node, as this area concentrates growth hormones. The angled cut increases the surface area available for water and nutrient uptake.
Immediately after the cut is made, the stem should be placed into water to prevent air from entering the vascular system. Remove all existing fan leaves, and pinch off any small buds or developing flowers to redirect the plant’s energy toward root and foliage development. Only the very small, newest growth tips should remain, ensuring the cutting is prepared for re-vegetation.
Environmental Conditions for Reversion
The transition from a flowering cutting to a vegetative plant requires an immediate change in environmental conditions, primarily concerning the light cycle. The core trigger for reversion is switching the clone from the \(12/12\) light schedule to a long vegetative cycle, typically \(18\) hours of light and \(6\) hours of darkness (\(18/6\)) or even continuous light (\(24/0\)). This extended photoperiod signals the plant to cease the hormonal production that initiates flowering and instead focus on producing stems and leaves.
Because the cuttings lack a root system, they must absorb moisture through their leaves, necessitating high ambient humidity to prevent desiccation. Maintaining a relative humidity (RH) of \(75\) to \(90\) percent is necessary during the initial rooting phase, often achieved by placing the cuttings under a humidity dome. An ideal temperature range of \(70\) to \(78\) degrees Fahrenheit (\(20\) to \(25\) degrees Celsius) facilitates enzyme activity and hormone production required for root growth.
The reversion is slow and highly stressful for the plant. It can take two to four weeks before the clone fully roots and begins to show signs of new vegetative growth. The initial growth will often appear mutated, characterized by single or triple-bladed leaves, which is a clear sign that the plant is switching its developmental program. Light vegetative nutrients should only be introduced after the roots have successfully formed and the new foliage begins to emerge.
Characteristics of Monster Cropped Plants
The stress induced by forcing a flowering clone back into the vegetative state results in a unique growth structure. The fully established monster-cropped plant develops an extremely bushy, squat, and compact morphology. This dense structure is created because the trauma of reversion activates many dormant axillary buds and lower nodes simultaneously.
The result is a plant with a significantly higher number of side branches and potential flowering sites compared to a clone taken from a non-flowering plant. This proliferation of branching makes monster-cropped plants highly effective as mother plants. They can rapidly produce a high volume of cuttings for future cycles, allowing growers to bypass the need for a dedicated mother room, optimizing space and resources.
During the initial re-vegetation phase, the temporary leaf structure with single or triple leaflets confirms that the reversion process has succeeded. Once the clone has fully recovered and established itself, the plant will return to producing the normal seven-to-nine-pointed leaves associated with mature vegetative growth. This robust, multi-tipped structure increases yield potential due to the plant’s ability to support more colas under the light source.