Super cropping is a powerful method of plant manipulation that significantly influences a plant’s structure and productive capacity. This technique falls under High-Stress Training (HST) because it involves intentionally applying controlled physical damage to the stems. The goal is to redirect growth hormones and energy, leading to a more robust and horizontally managed canopy. For cultivators looking to maximize growing space efficiency and increase yield, super cropping offers a highly effective solution.
Defining Super Cropping
Super cropping is a cultivation technique where the grower physically crushes the internal structure of a branch or stem without breaking the outer skin. This action makes the stem extremely pliable, allowing it to be bent sharply, often to a 90-degree angle. This deliberate, controlled injury distinguishes super cropping from Low-Stress Training (LST), which only involves gently bending and tying down branches.
The goal is to stimulate a profound structural change at the point of damage. As the plant heals, it forms a dense, calcified area known as a “knuckle” or callus at the bend site. This knuckle provides increased structural support for heavy yields and temporarily restricts the flow of resources. The resulting horizontal orientation ensures that formerly shaded lower nodes receive more light, encouraging them to grow into productive secondary shoots.
The Biological Basis of Stress Training
Plants possess internal mechanisms for dealing with mechanical stress, which super cropping exploits directly. Compression of the stem’s vascular tissues, specifically the xylem and phloem, temporarily restricts the upward transport of the growth hormone auxin. Auxin is primarily synthesized in the apical meristem (the main tip), and its high concentration enforces apical dominance, causing the plant to grow vertically.
By temporarily limiting auxin flow past the bend, the hormone accumulates above the injury while its concentration decreases below it. This shift allows cytokinins, another class of hormones mainly produced in the roots, to become more influential in the lower parts of the plant. Cytokinins promote the growth of lateral or side branches. The plant redirects energy toward repairing the damaged site and strengthening these new lateral shoots, resulting in a bushier, wider structure.
Step-by-Step Guide to Super Cropping
Executing a super crop requires precision to achieve controlled damage without causing an open wound. The ideal branch should be mature, thick, and green, but not yet woody or brittle. Avoid performing this on very new growth near the tip, as those stems are too delicate to withstand the necessary pressure.
Performing the Bend
Select a point on the stem between two nodes and firmly pinch it between your thumb and forefinger. Apply pressure and gently roll or wiggle the stem for several seconds until the internal fibers begin to soften or “give way.” The goal is to crush the inner core without tearing the epidermis, or outer skin, of the stem.
Securing the Injury
Once the stem feels pliable, slowly and carefully bend the branch over to a 90-degree angle in the desired direction. You may hear a slight pop, which signals the inner core has fractured correctly. If the outer layer of the stem tears during the bend, immediately apply a small piece of gardening tape or duct tape around the injury to stabilize it and prevent infection. The branch should then be gently secured in its new horizontal position using soft ties, especially if it struggles to remain bent.
Timing and Recovery Protocols
The timing of super cropping is a determining factor in the plant’s ability to recover and benefit from the stress. This technique is best applied during the vegetative growth phase when the plant is actively developing and has sufficient energy reserves for healing. Most growers perform the final super crop several days to a week before switching the plant into its flowering cycle.
Following the procedure, the plant will likely exhibit signs of temporary shock, such as drooping leaves, for up to 24 hours. A healthy plant will correct itself quickly, and within two to three days, the stem will visibly begin to swell as the knuckle forms. Complete recovery, characterized by the hardened callus and renewed vigorous growth, typically takes between five and ten days.
It is advisable to only super crop a few branches at a time and allow for a full recovery period before applying more stress. Never use this high-stress technique on plants that are already struggling with nutrient deficiencies, pests, or disease. If a stem accidentally snaps completely, secure the two broken ends together immediately with tape and provide external support to allow the plant’s natural healing process to bridge the gap.