To skirt or not to skirt?

For many centuries farmers and gardeners have been pruning their plants for health and increased yield.

Like the rose or the fruit tree, marijuana is no different. A good dose of “thinning and releasing” can be very beneficial.

My peers often see my form of pruning as too deep and are surprised at how many branches I cut and toss. They joke that I could make 10,000 clones with all those branches.

I just keep clipping away with the knowledge that what I’m doing now will make the plant healthier and more productive during harvest time.

One of the benefits of skirting ganja (as this practice is called) is that it creates room for more air circulation. When air is circulating properly molds and fungi have a harder time catching hold. Also, mites and gnats and other critters have fewer places to hide of mate and colonize.

Thinning and releasing also benefits the plant by forcing carbohydrate production to the areas that are thriving, top nugs and kolas.

I skirt when my medicine is about one-third of the way through the flowering period.

Some of my favorites, the Sour Diesel, the Dieselmint, and other sativas have a flower period of 77 days. On day 25 (give or take a day) I will proceed with my skirting.

With a few plants on my work bench at a time, I will take the opportunity after thinning to stake then up with natural untreated bamboo. Then I tie them up with plant tape. (More on staking and taping in a future post.)

For now, meditate on performance. I call it “tuning it up”. You will always continue to learn with these mantras.

Bless up,~Silverback Guerilla

Posted Friday, December 14th, 2007 | In Guerilla Speeks, Technique.