A cannabis node is the point of connection on the plant’s stem where new horizontal growth originates. This small, slightly swollen area is where a leaf set, a branch, or a flower cluster emerges from the main stalk. Understanding the node is important for cultivation because it dictates the plant’s structure and yield. Observing the nodes provides signals about the plant’s genetics and the growing environment, allowing growers to make informed decisions about training and health management.
Physical Structure and Spacing
The node is the spot where the leaf stem (petiole) connects to the central stalk. A leaf and an auxiliary bud form together at this juncture. The main stem is divided into repeating sections, with the space between two successive nodes called the internode.
Internodal spacing is influenced by genetics and environmental conditions. Sativa-dominant strains tend to have longer internodes, leading to a taller, lanky structure. In contrast, Indica-dominant varieties exhibit shorter internodal spacing, resulting in a bushier and more compact plant.
Environmental factors, particularly light intensity, also affect this spacing. Low-intensity lighting causes the plant to “stretch” as it attempts to reach the light source, resulting in long internodes. High-intensity light encourages tighter, more closely packed nodes, which is desirable for growers seeking a dense, high-yielding canopy.
The Origin Point of New Growth
The node contains a specialized site known as the auxiliary or lateral bud, which is the plant’s mechanism for producing side branches. This bud is a dormant growth point located in the angle between the leaf stem and the main stalk. During the vegetative stage, this site is responsible for creating the plant’s bushy structure, as the main stem grows taller and new lateral shoots emerge.
New growth is suppressed by apical dominance, where the main vertical tip produces a hormone called auxin that inhibits the growth of lower lateral buds. Growers use horticultural techniques to manipulate this tendency to improve yield. Pruning the main growth tip, known as “topping,” removes the primary source of the inhibitory hormone.
This removal redirects the plant’s energy, allowing the lateral buds at the nodes below the cut to activate and develop into strong new branches. Other methods, like Low Stress Training (LST), involve gently bending the main stem to temporarily disrupt the flow of auxin. Both techniques utilize the nodes to create a wider, more productive plant structure.
How Nodes Reveal Plant Sex
The nodes serve as the location for the earliest visual indication of a cannabis plant’s sex, known as pre-flowering. These reproductive markers can begin to appear at the nodes during the late vegetative stage, typically around four to six weeks from germination, or shortly after the indoor light cycle is shifted to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.
Inspection of the nodes, especially those higher up on the main stem, allows a grower to identify the plant’s gender before full flowering. Female pre-flowers first appear as a small, teardrop-shaped structure (a calyx), from which one or two wispy white hairs (stigmas) emerge.
Male plants develop small, smooth, spherical structures that resemble tiny balls or grapes at the node. These are pollen sacs, which will eventually open to release pollen and fertilize female plants. Since male plants produce very little usable flower, they are removed immediately upon identification to prevent accidental pollination. Male pre-flowers often become visible slightly earlier than female ones, making the nodes the earliest site for this distinction.