How much more... time to supercrop?

[ms48130]

I have 2 Autos that are at about day 46 (this is my first grow), beginning to flower, and are currently 20" canopy (Girl Scout Cookies Auto) and 17" (White Widow Auto). With my lights all the way at the top of the tent, I'll have about 20" left. The GSC grew about 2" overnight!

I don't have any basis for knowing how much these will stretch, or grow during flowering.

Should I let them run, or should I be supercropping now?

thanks all!

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

What make and model are your lights?

 

[ms48130]

I started with an HLG 100 V2, and recently (1 week ago) added a ViparSpectra XS1500 (https://www.viparspectra.com/products/xs-series-xs1500)

I currently have both of them in the tent, but it's getting REALLY crowded in there! Running a 20/4 lighting schedule.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

I think you can get within 12 inches of those lights without worry after that it is supercrop time. I am having to supercrop 3 of my plants so far in this grow as they have exceeded 60 inches tall



Hardest thing for a new grower to do emotionally and physically is to super crop a plant to keep it out of the lights. The problem is many new growers as well as all of us end up in that situation indoors sooner or later. Have some grafting PARAIN TAPE on hand just in case. 6" lower than you think you should, roll the stem crushing the inside 3 x the diameter of the stem in length between your forefinger and your thumb, then bend the branch over at that pinch. Bend to 90° from the stem or horizontal to the light. If you did not get a good enough interior crush the stem can break usually just on the top. If this happens just wrap with the grafting tape and all will be well. You may need to tie down the bent over top as many branches just lift themselves right back up. A great lesson to teach yourself on your first harvest or any harvest for that matter is to practice super cropping on branches you have harvested. You will get a good feel for what it is to crush and bend without the dread of "Killing a Cola".

 

[ms48130]

I think you can get within 12 inches of those lights without worry after that it is supercrop time. I am having to supercrop 3 of my plants so far in this grow as they have exceeded 60 inches tall

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Hardest thing for a new grower to do emotionally and physically is to super crop a plant to keep it out of the lights. The problem is many new growers as well as all of us end up in that situation indoors sooner or later. Have some grafting PARAIN TAPE on hand just in case. 6" lower than you think you should, roll the stem crushing the inside 3 x the diameter of the stem in length between your forefinger and your thumb, then bend the branch over at that pinch. Bend to 90° from the stem or horizontal to the light. If you did not get a good enough interior crush the stem can break usually just on the top. If this happens just wrap with the grafting tape and all will be well. You may need to tie down the bent over top as many branches just lift themselves right back up. A great lesson to teach yourself on your first harvest or any harvest for that matter is to practice super cropping on branches you have harvested. You will get a good feel for what it is to crush and bend without the dread of "Killing a Cola".

I have some of this Amazon product is that the same thing as Paraffin grafting tape? (a google search lead me to Parafilm grafting tape)

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Either one will work. Lots of peeps use duct tape but the grafting tape is much better if it tears the stem.

 

[ms48130]

cool, thanks. Maybe I'll get some of the parafilm as well, as it's breathable and has wax (the one I have is waterproof).

Is it better to supercrop earlier rather than later, or kinda "wait till the last minute"

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

cool, thanks. Maybe I'll get some of the parafilm as well, as it's breathable and has wax (the one I have is waterproof).

Is it better to supercrop earlier rather than later, or kinda "wait till the last minute"

I don't think it makes any difference. I usually wait until it can wait no longer. You know supercropping is also a high stress training technique where you supercrop all of the major colas. The idea is to break the apical dominance of the plant. It is too much busy work for me.

 

[ms48130]

I don't think it makes any difference. I usually wait until it can wait no longer. You know supercropping is also a high stress training technique where you supercrop all of the major colas. The idea is to break the apical dominance of the plant. It is too much busy work for me.

would it make sense/help to drop the intensity on the XS1500 and/or take out the HLG light?

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

would it make sense/help to drop the intensity on the XS1500 and/or take out the HLG light?

No, you will just lose yield doing that. I supercropped this plant maybe 20 times to keep it out of the lights. Moby Dick CBD was a monster.