Introduction to Supercropping

Supercropping is a high-stress training (HST) technique used in indoor cultivation to increase the strength and robustness of plants, while also potentially enhancing yield. This method involves deliberately stressing the plant by bending and pinching its branches, which causes the plant to increase its resilience and redirect its energies towards flower production. Supercropping is particularly useful for controlling plant height and encouraging bushier growth, making it ideal for indoor environments where space and light distribution can be limited.

Basic Technique and Required Equipment

Basic Technique:
The technique of supercropping involves carefully bending and manipulating the stems to create a knuckle-like formation. This slight damage promotes the plant to strengthen the bent area as it heals, ultimately creating a thicker, more robust stem that can support heavier buds.

Required Equipment:

• Garden tape or ties: To support and secure branches after bending.
• Pruning shears: For any necessary trimming of leaves around the area to be supercropped.
• Gloves: To protect your hands during the process and ensure a clean handling of the plant.

Detailed Step-by-Step Process

1. Select the Right Branches:
   Choose healthy and vigorous branches that are long enough to be bent. Avoid any that are too woody or have begun to flower, as these can be prone to snapping. The best time for supercropping is during the late vegetative stage before flowering.
2. Prepare the Branch:
   Identify the area of the branch where you want to induce bending. This is typically done on the upper half of the plant to help even out the canopy. Gently massage the chosen spot between your fingers to soften the inner tissues without breaking the skin.
3. Bending:
   Apply gentle pressure at the softened area and slowly bend the branch to an approximate 90-degree angle. The goal is not to snap the branch but to create a noticeable bend. If the skin cracks slightly, that’s often okay; this is part of the stress that encourages the plant to heal stronger.
4. Securing the Branch:
   If the branch is unable to support itself after bending, use garden tape or ties to gently support the branch by tying it to a more stable part of the plant or to your grow structure. If a break occurs, secure with tape to aid healing.
5. Monitoring and Care:
   Keep a close eye on the supercropped branches over the next few days. They will typically start to form a knuckle and heal, strengthening in the process. Continue normal watering and feeding routines, but monitor the moisture level more closely as stressed plants can sometimes consume water and nutrients at different rates.
6. Follow-Up:
   Once the branches have fully healed and formed knuckles, they should be noticeably thicker and stronger. Adjust your plant supports as needed to accommodate the new growth and ensure that all parts of the canopy are receiving adequate light.
7. Continuing Growth:
   Allow the plants to continue growing and entering into flowering with their newly strengthened branches ready to support bigger buds.

Supercropping is a powerful technique to enhance the structural integrity of your plants and improve overall yields. It requires careful handling and precise execution, but with practice, it can significantly improve the efficiency of your indoor growing space.