Mainlining your cannabis plants not ony increases harvest size but also allows you to shape them.
What is Main Lining?
The term Main Lining means «main line» so the goal is to define a line, a main height, and level out the remaining branches. To achieve this, the technique combines two other methods simultaneously: apical topping and a low-stress technique called Low Stress Training (LST) (LST was explained in a previous blog, so you may check it out).
This ensures optimization of space and energy distribution, resulting in significant flower development and improved yield, as well as improved aeration to prevent mold.
Main lining step by step
The èrfect time to begin Main lining pruning is when young shoots show at least 5-6 nodes since the beggining of growth. This indicates that the root system is strong enough to withstand the stress it will undergo.
At this point, you should cut the apex starting at the third node from the bottom. Then, remove everything below this node to focus your energy on the chosen points. After this, tie the branches to the pot or the central stem to ensure horizontal growth; the final appearance of the plant resembles the letter «Y». If the branches are still too small to tie, you should let them grow a little. Each time you make a topping cut, the number of main buds doubles.
The plants will begin to grow vigorously. Wait until the remaining two branches develop four nodes each and seem healthy. Repeat the process, also starting from the third node, removing the leaves and shoots below and tying the branches at a 90° angle to the ground. The goal is to obtain at least eight branches, but it’s possible to create 26, 32, and so on, to better optimize the space.
You might carefully monitor the development of the plants and continue using the technique until you obtain the desired buds. All work using the main lining technique should be done at the beginning of the crop; after that, you only need to ensure adequate conditions for proper growth and flowering.
If you already are an experimented grower and have performed this technique several times before, I recommend you to add super cropping in addition to main lining.
Super cropping is a high-stress training technique that involves pinching and bending cannabis branches to damage the inner fibers while leaving the outer covering intact.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Main Lining
Advantages
- It’s an ideal method for small spaces due to the control of plant size.
- It’s a fairly simple technique.
- It’s allows for better light utilization.
- Reduces energy loss
- Higher yields are achieved.
- It promotes uniform growth.
- Reduces the risk of mold or other fungal problem.
Disadvantages
- The stress is high and the plants need some time to reciver.
- Because of the last thing mentioned, the crop lasts for more weeks.
- It’s not suitable for autoflowering (automatic) plants.
Main lining is a useful technique for increasing yields from a cannabis crop, but you need to pay attention to your plants and dedicate more time to your crop. Once you have all the desired branches, you don’t need to do anything beyond maintaining the correct parameters for optimal development.
