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THCman428
25-02-14, 08:02 AM
What is super-cropping?

Super-cropping is a high stress training method, where you destroy the inside(vascular system) of a stem while trying not to damage the skin/bark. This causes the plant to rebuild its vascular system with a "bandage" or a knot.
The goal is to create a stronger bigger stem to hold a bigger bud :)

When to use super-cropping?

Supercropping should mainly be utilized in early veg giving sufficient time for full recovery.

Where to super-crop?

The best place to super-crop is at the bottom of the stem preferable a semi-firm young branch. Although you can super-crop anywhere along a branch as long as its not too old...
This is to old
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/ejahabe4.jpg
This would be a better thickness to use super-cropping at
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/qa8ebyva.jpg

How to super-crop?

Wash your hand well!!(or wear gloves)
And get some tap preferably not to sticky :)

Choose the point you want to super-crop on your branch and "warm it up" by gently twisting it in your fingers
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/runydunu.jpg the point should go just slightly limp
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/yqa5u7et.jpg
Then you want to grab it at the point and give it a small squeeze

(you should feel a small "pop")
and the branch should go almost fully limp at the point. Sometimes you'll have to give it a couple squeezes to fully destroy the inner flesh.
The branch should now be at a 90° angle to the bottom portion
If not bend it down until it looks like this
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/ugurudaj.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/ybu9a6y3.jpg
Once she starts coming back up
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/usumy3ar.jpg
I will usually tie them back down to a 90° angle to thicken the knot created. However this one is a bottom branch so I will just leave her be.

What if I tear the bark while super-cropping?

In most cases a branch is savable. The problem here lies in disease and insects. Without having to worry about these, huge gashes in skin aren't detrimental
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/8a9yjyju.jpg
This is the branch that knot is on
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/vu5adyja.jpg

What happens if I snap a branch while super-cropping?

I'd say all you need to save a branch is 20% still connected.
If its any less(just piece of skin) cut it off the plant and root it as a clone.
First prop the branch back up to be fully connecting
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/5ydymuhe.jpg
Then if its not to bad of a break you can simply use surrounding branches to support it
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/a8u5a9uj.jpg
If its really bad(ha just for you guys)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/ugazavav.jpg
use your tape to create a brace around the wound
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/umujunem.jpg
Then spray branches leaves with plain water until it is healed(pic in future when recovered)
Here is one I accidentally snapped and its growing good after simply being propped up tightly against the wound
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/25/se2a8a8e.jpg
Another good use for super-cropping is when a branch is getting to high above the canopy :).

Thanks for reading everyone, all comments and questions are more than welcome :D. Its been fun writing this guide and I hope it helps atleast one person!

Stay stoned you guys :stoned: and all the best in your super-cropping ventures :harvest:

THCman428
27-02-14, 06:56 PM
Here's some more super-crops o did to level the tops after stretch
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/28/retyteta.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/28/e6y2aduz.jpg
Best of luck guys :stoned:

jimmi420
27-02-14, 08:44 PM
Nice one m8, it`s very similar to topping, in that you just pick a site and squeeze away till you here it crack, then bend it just above a new shoot then the new shoot will take over as the main stem whilst the bent one repairs itself over a few weeks. Supercropping is done in veg and not in flower for bigger plants and yields, although if using the same technique in flower to control height etc its still HST and the plant will react the same spreading auxins around the plant more evenly trying to survive what it thinks is end of days. Here`s some i`m doing in my grow atmo.
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=249001&d=1392038858
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=249002&d=1392038948
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=249008&d=1392039631
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=249003&d=1392039028
12 hours after
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=249009&d=1392039650
4 or 5 days
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=249901&d=1392416085
12 days`ish after
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=251033&d=1392992083
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=251034&d=1392992118

SprinkledWithEmulsion
27-02-14, 08:52 PM
A supercropping masterclass mate. This should be a sticky.

THCman428
27-02-14, 09:04 PM
Nice addition jimmi :)
Thanks SWE, I hope. It'll be my first stickie if so :p

THCman428
07-03-14, 09:56 PM
Ok its been 12 days and tape is coming off. This branch was quite literally the most damaged branch I've ever brought back haha
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/08/rysunemu.jpg
Went from hanging from a peice of "skin" to a fully connected branch.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/08/3u4e4a8a.jpg
Used with lst super-cropping will create those donkey dick bushes you see growing around the site
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/08/2u6a7apu.jpg
Left over string bits from all the tying down I've done so far
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/08/6ege3a6u.jpg

Dr Plough
07-03-14, 10:07 PM
Good thread mate , very informative and easy to understand :bong:

Grandad
07-03-14, 10:09 PM
nice job :weed:

jimmi420
11-03-14, 03:22 PM
Recovered stems from the super cropped plants i did.
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=254417&d=1394501528
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=254419&d=1394501679
And here is the biggest plant about 4 weeks after 2 weeks into 12/12
https://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=254420&d=1394501733

Gander
15-03-14, 06:27 AM
Great guide :D

Jimmi420... Respect dude, some nice craftsmanship there.

THCman428
23-04-14, 08:01 AM
Bump bump!!!

B.A.BARACUS
23-04-14, 09:00 AM
Good Guide...

THCman428
23-04-14, 06:55 PM
Good Guide...

Thanks buddy

sweetsmoker
23-04-14, 07:25 PM
Top stuff

Thanks thcman :)

THCman428
23-04-14, 08:04 PM
Top stuff

Thanks thcman :)

Np mukka , just trying to give back however I can ;p

Teamk1ller
13-03-15, 04:50 AM
Cheers for the info trying this on my new grow :)