Understanding Stress in Cannabis Plants

For cannabis plants, healthy stress, known as ‘eustress,’ can improve their strength and even make the buds—the part many people use—more potent. This can happen when you train your plants by gently bending them or changing the light they get.

However, ‘distress’ is the type of stress that isn’t good for plants. It can happen if the plant gets too much or too little of what it needs, like water, light, or food. This bad kind of stress can make plants grow slower or get sick, and it can make the buds less impressive.

So, it’s all about balance. You want to give your plants just the right amount of everything and only the right kind of stress. Being a bit strict about things like when the lights are on, keeping bugs away, and making sure your plants aren’t crowded can help them grow stronger and healthier without feeling too stressed out.

A right amount of water stress can actually teach your plant to grow deep roots that will help it drink and eat better. But you have to be careful not to let it get too dry for too long.

To find that sweet spot, lift your pots to feel their weight. A heavy pot means there’s enough water, while a light one probably means it’s time for a drink. Watch your plant too; if the leaves start to droop, it’s thirsty. But make sure water doesn’t sit in the saucer under the pot; that’s a sign that there’s too much.

Remember to pour the wate right around the base of the plant, close to the soil so that the roots get it all. When you get this watering balance right, your plants will have thick stems and green, happy leaves, showing you they’re healthy and growing just right.

To prevent nutritional stress, feed plants according to a nutrient schedule tailored to their growth stage. For soil grows, pH levels should be maintained around 6.0-7.0 to ensure nutrient uptake. Hydroponic systems typically require a slightly lower pH, between 5.5-6.5.

Overfeeding can cause nutrient burn, indicated by yellow or brown tips on leaves. Ensure that nutrient solutions are well-diluted and applied in appropriate amounts. If signs of overfeeding appear, flush the system with pH-balanced water.

Underfeeding will show as overall lightening or yellowing of the leaves, and a lack of growth. Gradually increase nutrient concentration if plants seem underfed, but avoid sudden changes which can shock the plants.

Regularly check pH and monitor plants for early signs of deficiency or excess—adjusting feeding schedules as needed to maintain plant health.

While different strains have varied preferences, sudden temperature shifts can stress your plants, potentially stunting their growth.

Adequate lighting encourages healthy vegetative growth but manage the intensity to avoid light burn—a condition where leaves become discolored and crispy due to excessive light exposure.

Position HID lights about 24 inches from plant tops, although this distance may vary based on the light’s wattage and plant stage. Refer to LED grow light manufacturer guidelines for appropriate distances, as these can differ by model.

Ensure the grow room is completely dark during the plant’s night phase to keep growth cycles regular. Disruptions in light schedules can confuse plants, leading to stunted growth or abnormal development.

Observe your plants daily for indicators of environmental stress—things like drooping, spots, or faded leaves. Install timers to regulate light cycles automatically and use thermostats to control heating and cooling systems, thus guaranteeing a steady grow room temperature. These preventive steps help in avoiding stress from environmental fluctuations and contribute to a healthier growth cycle for your cannabis plants.

4. Root Stress

Root stress occurs when cannabis plant roots encounter adverse conditions. Common culprits include over-watering, under-watering, compacted soil, and container size. Over-watering leads to oxygen-depleted soil and potential root rot, while under-watering makes it difficult for roots to absorb nutrients and grow. Opt for a watering regimen that allows the top inch of soil to dry out before adding more water.

Compacted soil restricts root growth and impedes water drainage. Cannabis plants prefer loose, airy soil that roots can easily penetrate. Ensure your soil has adequate perlite or similar amendments to promote good drainage and aeration.

Be mindful of choosing the right-sized container for your plant. As a general guideline, plants need about 2 gallons of pot space for every foot of growth.

To alleviate root stress, inspect roots during transplanting, looking for healthy white tips. Brown or mushy roots suggest a problem that needs immediate attention. You can also use fabric pots that help with air pruning, preventing roots from becoming rootbound.

Training Plants for Tough Love

Training cannabis plants is a hands-on approach to guiding their growth and boosting yield. Physical stress, when applied correctly, encourages plants to thrive. Starting with low-stress training (LST), growers gently bend and secure branches to control shape and expose more leaves to light. Techniques like tying branches down and using a screen in the ‘Screen of Green’ method are LST staples.

High-stress training (HST) involves more deliberate actions. Techniques like topping, where you remove the plant’s top to prompt it to grow two new colas, and super cropping, which involves strategically bending and lightly bruising stems to foster resilience and improved nutrient intake, fall under HST. Both LST and HST require precision and an understanding of the plant’s limits.

Low-Stress Training (LST) Methods:

1. Tie-Down Technique:

• Bend and secure the branches to grow horizontally using soft ties.
• Loosely attach branches to the side of the pot or through holes in the rim.

2. Screen of Green (ScrOG):

• Use a screen to spread out the branches.
• Gently weave the branches through the screen grid to create an even canopy.

High-Stress Training (HST) Methods:

1. Topping:

Cut off the top of the main stem to promote the growth of two main colas.

2. FIMing (F****ck I Missed):

Pinch the very tip of the main stem to encourage the plant to develop multiple colas.

3. Super Cropping:

• Bend and slightly pinch stems to create a knuckle-like swelling.
• Perform without breaking the skin of the stem.

4. Lollipopping:

• Remove growth from the lower parts of the plant to focus energy on the upper canopy.

Allow plants to recover properly after HST to ensure strong growth. With both training methods, monitor your plants for any signs of distress and adapt your care plan to support their recovery and development.

Good Stress vs. Bad Stress: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between good and bad stress is vital for growing healthy cannabis plants.