Is there anyone out there that has done “stalk splitting” just before harvest? I have read some about it but don’t know when to do this. Do I waite till they are ready to harvest? Or a week before? How is it done?Anyone ho can help would be great…
I have and there’s a couple of good article’s on here about it to.
I checked my trichomes they were all milky with just a couple spots of gold. That is when i like to spike mine because I will harvest in a week or 2 depending on the trichomes but every thing gets a heavy coat of stripper glitter when you do spike them. I couldn’t believe it the first time i did it.
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Thanks for the quick reply. Where did you find them on here? Did you split or drill the stalk?
Many drill to prevent accidents. Here is an article for you:
Splitting Cannabis Stems
Splitting the stem of cannabis plants is a controversial technique buzzing around the cannabis forums of late. Outdoor ganja farmers in Colombia during the 1960’s and 70’s were reputed to “ring” cannabis stems a couple of weeks before harvest. A pocketknife is the only tool needed.
The practice is believed to have given Colombian Gold its golden nugget bag appeal. By inducing senescence to increase potency and break down chlorophyll, the method helped make the strain a legend, allegedly.
The splitting technique has been popularized by outdoor Dutch cultivators online. Splitting stems follows similar logic to “tree ringing”. Instead of completely removing a few layers of bark from the circumference of the stem you split it with a vertical cut through the middle. Make no mistake. This is extreme high-stress training.
WHEN TO SPLIT
When To Split Cannabis
If you are going to experiment with the splitting technique, timing is crucial. Splitting the main stem of a flowering female cannabis plant 7-10 days before harvest is the window that most growers favor. Inducing high levels of stress to force the plant to produce more resin and terpenes with a split is tricking Mother Nature. Marijuana will respond to this kind of stress negatively if you split too early.
HOW TO SPLIT
Splitting cannabis plants stems doesn’t require brute force. Rather precision, preparation and the right tools for the job are what you need. Moreover, splitting is best suited to outdoor marijuana crops. Although, an indoor experiment can succeed following the same methodology.
1.First, gather up your splitting tools. Don’t worry, they are all easy to come by. You need a large, non-serrated, sharp kitchen knife, 3 pencils or kebab skewers if can get them, and some string. Next, size up your stem. Measure out an area approx 15-20cm long from just below the lowest set of branches towards the ground.
2.Wrap the string around the stem a few times. Tie off two pieces of string to mark the borders of the area to be split. One for the top and one for the bottom. Then carefully drive the blade through the stem.
3.With one hand on the handle and the other depressing the dull side of the blade slowly and as straight as possible split the stem. All the way to the lower knot. Don’t remove the blade just yet.
4.While the wound is still fresh and open with the blade wedged in the bottom, insert the 3 skewers to prevent it from closing. Slide out the blade and make sure your skewers are spaced out. That’s how to split the stem of a cannabis plant Dutch style.
How To Split Cannabis Stems
BENEFITS OF SPLITTING
Splitting is reputed to increase the potency of marijuana and possibly boost flower production too. Hard data is difficult to come across to verify this claim. Unfortunately, all we have to confirm the effectiveness of the splitting technique is forum chatter and some YouTube vids. Albeit footage by skilled Dutch stem splitters.
In theory, this high-stress method works, and they are at least reporting positive results here in the Netherlands. Experiment with one cannabis plant as a test case if you are considering it.
DISADVANTAGES OF SPLITTING
Splitting, by its very nature, is rough treatment for cannabis plants. High stress close to completing the bloom cycle is risky. For auto-flower cultivators, this technique is best avoided. Similarly, novice growers should skip splitting. Unless you’re already hitting the potency barrier, the splitting technique is unlikely to push your marijuana to produces extra potent gooey buds.
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Thank you for this topic I was also curious about this. Would you happen to know if drilling the stems do the same thing
I’ve drilled the stems. Never noticed any increase, but also didn’t seem to harm the plant. It’s always worth a shot.
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I drilled the stalk in a criss cross pattern and used a drill bit just a little smaller than whatever i was sticking through the hole. It took 3 days and when i came home from work everything was more frosty and after a week my white widow and critical mass was covered in big sugar crystials
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Check this thread out my friend
Thanks to all, I think I have my answer…
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@sniper
Hey if you got a grow journal tag me here is a picture of the my buds that were on a split stalk hope this helps
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@thcinkc Thanks for the photo, those are some killer buds. This is the plant I will try this on first. Should be a good test plant…IMG_0201|375x500
Thanks for the artical will let you know how it comes out. I love this stuff…This plant is kind of weird, I never trimmed it it just grew 4 BIG buds.
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Hey @thcinkc did you get this photo??
Yes nice i agree great test plant to compare with the others
The technique works and you should give it a go at least once imho
Here a good read
They explain stem splitting worth a look
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@countryboyjvd1971 Thanks for the info and I will give it a go. I have a bigger problem rite now. Where I live there have been many forest fires and for the last 2 weeks the smoke has been unbearable, It’s like a thick fog with the temps around 100(+) degrees. Is there anything I can do because all my autos are looking really bad, limp ,yellow and just all around bad. My regular plants seem to be fine so i’m not too worried about them. Any help would be greatly appreciated…
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Wow rmthats is not cool
All i can say is make sure you keep them watered and dont let them dry out to much
A good drink in the morning and another in afternoon if needed
Will help keep root temps down
You still dont want to overwater tho
Other than that bro not much you can do about the smoke and what not
Except maybe moving them indoors are tou in pots?
Sorry to hear you troubles brother
Thanks for the help…