Common Mistakes in Cannabis (HST) Training

Reading Time: 4-5 minutes

High-Stress Training (HST) is like a gym workout for your cannabis plants—it can get them in great shape, but if you’re not careful, things can go wrong fast. This technique, which involves pruning, defoliating, and bending, can yield impressive results, but it also carries risks, especially for beginners. In this article, we'll walk you through the common pitfalls of HST and share tips on how to avoid them, ensuring your plants stay strong and healthy.

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Cannabis Training (HST)
• Common Mistakes in High-Stress Training
• Important Note
• Conclusion: Avoiding Mistakes for Optimal HST Results

Introduction to Cannabis Training (HST)

High-Stress Training (HST) can be a powerful method to optimize the growth of your cannabis plants and achieve higher yields. However, before you dive into this technique, it’s crucial to understand how HST works and what potential risks it entails. Without the right approach, mistakes during HST can lead to significant damage, reduce yields, and slow down growth. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them, ensuring your plants remain healthy and productive.

Common Mistakes in Cannabis Training (HST)

1. Applying HST too early or too late: One of the most common mistakes is applying HST too early or too late in the plant's growth phase. If HST is done too early, before the plant is strong enough, it can slow growth or even cause permanent damage. On the other hand, applying HST too late during the flowering phase can lead to yield loss, as the plant focuses its energy on recovery instead of developing new buds. The best time for HST is during the late vegetative stage when the plant has already developed a stable structure.
2. Over-pruning: Another common mistake is over-pruning the plant. While removing leaves and shoots can help direct growth and improve light exposure to lower areas, excessive pruning can shock the plant and cause growth issues. It’s important to find a balance and only remove enough to keep the plant healthy and allow it to recover quickly. A good approach is to work in stages, giving the plant time to recover between sessions.
3. Improper execution of techniques like topping or fimming: Topping and fimming are two common HST techniques aimed at promoting plant growth by cutting off the main shoot. Mistakes in executing these techniques, such as cutting the shoot too deep or too shallow, can result in uneven growth patterns or the formation of gaps in the plant, reducing its potential for optimal flowering. To avoid mistakes, it’s advisable to practice these techniques on a less valuable plant first or become thoroughly familiar with the requirements.
4. Lack of recovery time for the plants: After applying HST, it is crucial to give the plants enough time to recover. A common mistake is exposing the plants to further stress factors, such as strong light or excessive fertilization, immediately after training. Plants need time after HST to stabilize and gather new energy for growth. Ensure that the plants remain in a stress-free environment for a few days after HST before taking further action.
5. Using improper tools and materials: Using improper tools or materials can increase the likelihood of mistakes during HST. Dull scissors or knives can tear the plant rather than make clean cuts, leading to infections and slower healing. Invest in high-quality, sharp tools and use clean, soft materials for tying and supporting the plants to ensure their health.