When it comes to growing cannabis, few techniques inspire as much debate as High Stress Training (HST). For some, it’s a rite of passage—proof of a grower’s confidence and skill. For others, it’s an unnecessary gamble that puts precious plants at risk. At Rochester Flower Company, we believe there’s a time and place for everything—including HST. So let’s talk about what it is, why someone might use it, and just as importantly, why someone might not.
What Is High Stress Training?
High Stress Training (HST) refers to a set of advanced cultivation techniques where you intentionally wound, bend, or cut the plant in order to shape its growth. The goal? Encourage more bud sites, improve light distribution, and ultimately increase your yield and quality.
Why Use High Stress Training?
- Maximizing Yield: More tops = more buds = more potential harvest weight.
- Stronger Plants: Triggering a defensive response builds thicker, more resilient stems.
- Controlled Structure: Helps shape plants to stay low and wide—ideal for tents and tight grows.
- Better Quality Bud: Light hits more colas evenly, leading to better developed flowers throughout the canopy.
Why You Might Skip It
- Slower Growth: Each injury causes the plant to pause and recover.
- Risk of Infection: Open wounds can invite pathogens in less-controlled environments.
- Autoflower Sensitivity: Most autos don’t have enough time to bounce back.
- Requires Experience: If you’re new, it's easy to overdo it or mistime your cuts.
Popular HST Techniques
Topping: Remove the tip of the main stem to split growth into two new leaders.
FIMing: Pinch off most of the tip—less precise, more experimental. Can lead to 3–4 new colas.
Supercropping: Gently crush the stem’s inner tissue so you can bend it flat under the canopy. Wrap it if needed.
Nuances to Be Aware Of
- Know Your Genetics: Some strains respond better than others.
- Time It Right: Always allow 5–7 days recovery before switching to flower.
- Stay Clean: Use sanitized scissors or razors for every cut.
- Stress is Cumulative: Don’t stack HST on top of heat stress, pest pressure, etc.
- Observe and Adjust: Each plant is different. Learn their language.
Final Thoughts
High Stress Training is a powerful tool in the hands of a thoughtful grower. It’s not about domination—it’s about guidance. At Rochester Flower Company, we use it selectively, respectfully, and always in service of the plant’s fullest potential.
If you’re curious, start small. Watch how your plants respond. And remember: cannabis teaches us patience, observation, and humility. All HST does is accelerate the conversation.
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