Each time a marijuana growing tip is clipped, the stem branches into two shoots, which begin to grow from the nearest leaf axils. Pruning a growing marijuana plant is an easy way of controlling uneven growth without seriously harming the marijuana plant. Don't prune the growing tip of a young seedling until after the first five-bladed leaves have formed, and the vegetative stage has begun. Many marijuana growers prune the growing tips after four to five weeks growth to develop lower branches which will quickly fill all the horizontal space. The greatest potency of the growing cannabis plant is found in the growing tips, and by three months, they should make a high quality smoke. You can basically prune growing tips at any stage of the marijuana plant's development, but just don't overdo it. Severe pruning can harm the growth of the marijuana plant. It is always better to plan a pruning strategy for your developing marijuana plants, rather than haphazardly clipping off growing tips on an irregular basis. Each time a growing tip is removed, the marijuana plant takes a few days to recover before new growth resumes on that branch. The amount of new growth formed with continued pruning is limited by the genetic structure of the marijuana seed, and the conditions of the environment. It is better to prune your marijuana plants at an early stage of their development, than towards the end of the vegetative stage or during flowering. It is always better to prune growing tips in the morning than in the evening, as it gives the marijuana plant a full day to recover and heal the wounds.
It is not recommended that you prune every new node in a developing marijuana plant. Rather prune every second or third node to allow the marijuana plant time to recover. Wait for the new node to start growing before clipping the young branch a few millimeters above the previous node's newly formed leaves. It is always better to use a small scissors to prune your marijuana plants, than to simply pluck off the growing tips by hand. Do not prune any growing tips if you notice that your plant's health is declining and it has started losing marijuana leaves. Although you should always smoke the pruned growing tips, cannabis plants should be pruned to develop their growth rather than for smoking purposes. While it may be tempting to prune female marijuana buds during early flowering, your harvest will be severely reduced by doing so.
Marijuana Indica is a genetically smaller and more bushy marijuana plant than Marijuana Sativa and usually requires less pruning. Never prune more than the single growing tip, or upper-most node, from any branch on the growing marijuana plant. The upper-most growing tip of an unpruned marijuana plant will always be more potent that the top buds of a pruned marijuana plant grown in similar conditions. Pruning the tallest branches ensures that the lower branches grow upwards, forming a larger surface area for the light to cover. The clear fluid that often flows from the end of a newly pruned branch, contains substances which seal the wound and aid the healing process. Although it is recommended that you remove all dying leaves from the marijuana plant, you should resist the temptation to prune too many healthy leaves. To grow seedless marijuana, you should remove all the male marijuana plants as soon as they are discovered, by pruning the main stem right above the ground if grown in soil, or removing the marijuana plant from a hydroponic garden. Although it may be better developed, a pruned marijuana plant does not always produce more buds than an unpruned marijuana plant. Another good reason for pruning is to take cuttings from a strong growing, favourite marijuana plant for further hydroponic development. Marijuana growers often prune their marijuana plants in an attempt to limit their height and prevent unwanted detection. An alternative to pruning for developing growth, is to bend the tops of the branches over and tie the growing tips down with string or wire.
Note: Remember that by pruning a growing tip, you are removing the most potent part of the marijuana plant, thereby spoiling it's chance of reaching full maturity.
By pruning all the buds at harvest time, rather than cutting the stem off above the ground, you could easily harvest your plant a second time. By severely pruning your cannabis plants you are lowering their resistance to harmful natural enemies such as insects, fungus and frost. You can make a great cup of tea, by chopping up some pruned growing tips and soaking them in boiled water for a few minutes. Marijuana is a very hardy and adaptable plant, and will endure serious harm to it's leaves, branches and stem before it dies.
