How is Mainlining Weed Done?

Mainlining weed was discovered due to the differences in cola sizes on the top and bottom parts of the plant. Topping is done to achieve the bonsai type stature and to tame on making a canopy.

Strains that have Christmas tree structure or the Indica varieties are the best candidates for mainlining. The reason is that they follow single-cola dominance. However, this procedure also applies to Sativa strains and even clones as it can result in a balanced plant and maximize nutrient distribution.

Read this article to know the best way of mainlining and how you can achieve the best result.

Steps Done for Mainlining Weed

Materials that you need: 

  • Canopy ring or peony cage
  • Scissors or razor
  • A spool of garden soft tie

1. Canopy Ring as the Pattern

The bottom part of the canopy ring should be bent and alter the structure to give way to the necessary setup. Modification can be done with the help of soft ties. Let the stems of the plant slip into the perimeter of the canopy.

2. Seedlings – Ideal for Mainlining

Use seedlings with five or six nodes but they should be in a healthy state. Older plants are still acceptable. However, mainlining requires cutting until the third node. Thus, using the older plants would slow down the process. You may realize that all the time and the growth of plants are just wasted when you let it go through mainlining.

You can decide for yourself but never use a plant that is in vegetation for this technique. Keep in mind that you can get most of the mainlining benefits when you don’t allow the plants to grow further. The important traits that the plants should have are vigorous growth and healthy roots.

It’s better to use a plant that has grown from seeds. If you choose clones, mainlining impedes the growth of a younger plant.

3. Topping

Preparation for mainlining is topping three nodes down. Then remove the things under the 3rd node such as fan leaves and cotyledon. Of course, the third node is the focus of the mainlining manifold. Removing all the new growth directs your plant to use the energy and put effort into the said part.

You can leave just two growth steps or stems that sprout from the third node. So they are in the same area and your plant will be able to evenly spread its energy. It’s necessary to keep some of the leaves on the third node as they can also give some power to the plants

Two stems with leaves that are on both sides are usually what remains. So the plant looks like a big letter ‘T’.

4. Shoots and Tying

You have to be gentle when tying the main stems. But don’t be hasty when doing it. See to it that the plant receives the right temperature and enough nutrients. You can let it remain untouched for a few days before proceeding to this step.

The recovery period doesn’t need much time as three to four days are enough for the plant to regain its health. Tying the shoots means letting the stems bend horizontally as a sort of training. 

Soften the stem a little before you place the strings which bend with ease. Do it slowly and gently so you won’t snap the stems. If ever you break the node, you can tape it back and it will heal naturally.

5. Growing Time

When the manifold is in the right place, the plant needs a couple of weeks to flourish. There’s nothing you can do in this period. Just allow the plant to remain healthy and stretch vigorously.

Creating another manifold is when the plant has four nodes. Decent-sized leaves have sprouted at this point.

6. Second Topping

The goal is to create eight colas but you have to pay attention to the area where you do the cutting. Again, you have to make sure that the plant can evenly distribute energy.

The number of the stems can be 4, 8, or 16. It will allow you to gain 32 up to 64 colas. When growing indoors, the heads should be limited to 8. But 16 is fine when cultivation is done in a greenhouse or outdoors as there’s a lot of energy present.

7. Examining the Stems

You should know that mainlining would make the vegetative stage finish for 8 weeks. During the second or third topping and when you have 16 colas, there’s not much to do. The usual tending of plants and checking their health from time to time. Examine the stems every 14 days.

Young stems are flexible so they bend with ease. Their size may vary during this period. Some are taller than the other. The tall ones can be bent away from the center and tie it to keep in place. So all of them will be at the same height.

Since the vegetation requires a longer time. You have to achieve the even canopy with the most number of colas. It’s the time that you can move forward to the flowering stage.

8. Flowering Stage

It’s time to shift to the flowering stage when the plants have reached half of its ideal height. There’s no need to apply other techniques as it would only stress the plants. You can still give it a 12/12 light schedule and they can have ‘flowering stretch’ which means doubling in height in a matter of two or three weeks.

Before going to this stage, you may tidy up the undergrowth for the last time. You have to get rid of the leaves on the bottom and middle parts. Make adjustments and take off the leaves that block the sunlight from reaching the buds. 

The undergrowth may be a lot of work but you have to do it gradually. Be wise to judge correctly. 

Conclusion

Mainlining weed will help you create a nice-looking marijuana plant similar to bonsai. With so many steps, you don’t only do it for the sake of appearance. It will give you a hefty harvest that is quite impressive for such a small plant.

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