Cannabis plants have a finite amount of energy. As a grower, youll want to help them direct energy to the areas producing the best possible bud. As it turns out, lollipopping is one of the best ways to do just that. Its a pruning technique thats meant to enhance the buds at the top, pairing well with other techniques like ScrOG and mainlining.
Lollipopping is a pruning technique that helps your cannabis plants focus their energy on their biggest bud sites, usually around their canopies. It’s easy, low-stress, and it can help you produce heavy harvests of some exceptional buds. Read on to learn more about lollipopping your cannabis.
Lollipopping is a highly effective pruning technique used by cannabis cultivators to boost yields and improve bud quality. It involves strategically removing lower growth to redirect the plant’s energy towards developing dense, robust flowers on the upper branches Determining the optimal timing for lollipopping is key to maximizing its benefits. This comprehensive guide examines when to lollipop cannabis plants based on their growth stage and type
What is Lollipopping?
Lollipopping also known as under-cropping, is the process of pruning the lower one-third of branches and leaves of a cannabis plant. It creates a lollipop-like shape with most foliage concentrated at the top. Lollipopping serves several purposes
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Redirects energy flow to the upper buds rather than lower, shaded areas with low productivity. This results in fatter denser flowers.
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Improves light exposure and air circulation through the middle and lower sections of the plant.
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Prevents issues like mold, mildew, and bud rot by removing dense undergrowth with poor airflow.
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Makes watering and fertilizing more accessible.
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Reduces trimming time by removing lower branches unlikely to produce sizable buds.
When to Lollipop Photoperiod Plants
For photoperiod cannabis strains, lollipopping is generally performed during the third week of the flowering stage. This timing coincides with the onset of rapid vertical growth known as the flowering stretch.
Starting the process during this time allows adequate pruning of the lower foliage before significant bud production begins higher up. It also minimizes stress on the plant.
Here are some guidelines for lollipopping photoperiod cannabis:
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Start inspecting plants around day 14-21 of the flowering period as stretching tapers off.
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Identify branches that aren’t getting enough light or air circulation. Remove branches with minimal bud sites.
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Prune about one-third of the plant’s height, retaining just the top nodes with the most potential.
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Leave 3-6 nodes per branch, focusing on upper growth. Remove fan leaves shading bud sites.
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Avoid excessive defoliation. Take a conservative approach, leaving some foliage for recovery.
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Finish lollipopping within 3-4 weeks of the flip to flowering at the latest.
When to Lollipop Autoflowering Plants
For autoflowering strains, the best time to lollipop is during the vegetative stage, before flowering begins. Autoflowers have a short lifespan and don’t respond well to high stress levels during flowering.
Here are some tips for lollipopping autoflowers:
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Start pruning by the third week of vegetative growth once secondary branching develops.
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Gradually remove lower leaves and nodes over 1-2 weeks. Take off a little foliage at a time.
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Leave just 2-4 nodes on secondary branches to avoid stunting plants.
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Avoid pruning more than 25% of growth at once. Allow recovery between sessions.
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Finish lollipopping before flowering starts, typically around 4 weeks old.
Step-by-Step Lollipopping Process
Follow these steps for effective lollipopping:
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Assess the plant’s structure and growth patterns. Identify areas getting insufficient light.
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Remove large fan leaves shading potential bud sites using sterile pruners.
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Prune lower branches with low productivity. Prioritize upper cola sites.
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Cut secondary branches down to 2-6 nodes, depending on size. Remove growth below top third.
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Defoliate conservatively, taking no more than 25% foliage at once.
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Allow 1-3 days recovery before further pruning. Repeat until desired shape is achieved.
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Avoid excessive stress. Leave some leaves for photosynthesis and energy.
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Give extra nitrogen for recovery after lollipopping.
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Resume regular care, observing plant health. Refine as needed through early flowering.
Lollipopping Tips
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Sterilize pruners before each session to prevent spreading disease.
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Start at the bottom, working upwards for a systematic approach.
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Time lollipopping just before or after switching to the flowering light cycle.
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Remove leaves and nodes entirely – don’t leave stubs which can invite pests/mold.
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Monitor humidity levels after lollipopping and improve airflow if needed.
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Use trellising to support and train upper growth after clearing lower foliage.
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Avoid lollipopping late in flowering or removing over 50% of leaves at once.
Benefits of Proper Lollipopping
When timed correctly, lollipopping offers numerous advantages:
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Redirects energy and nutrients to upper buds, increasing their size and density.
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Optimizes light interception for top cola sites, boosting quality.
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Improves air circulation and reduces humidity in the lower canopy.
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Lessens risks of mold, mildew, rot, and pests on concealed growth.
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Allows more access for watering, feeding, and monitoring overall health.
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Significantly reduces trimming time after harvest by removing lower buds.
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Generates more visually appealing, symmetrical plants with focused flowers.
By understanding the ideal timing and technique for lollipopping cannabis, you can maximize its benefits in your grow. While an art and science, perfecting this pruning method can meaningfully boost yields and potency.
The Benefits of Lollipopping
Cannabis plants, like any other, generate energy from the light, water, and nutrients they take in from their environment. This energy, however, is limited. Lollipopping, as it’s referred to among growers, is all about helping your plants focus that energy on developing buds in the right places. More specifically, it shifts focus towards parts of the plant that receive the most light.
Untrimmed or untrained cannabis plants grow like Christmas trees. By the time they’re ready to flower, it’s likely they’ll have developed a dense canopy that allows very little light to break through. This means, of course, that light won’t reach the bud sites toward the bottom. Left untouched, these lower nodes will produce small, airy “popcorn” buds that lack potency, flavor and aroma, and bag appeal.
By lollipopping, you not only help direct light to the right nodes, but optimise the limited energy stores of your plants. The end result is a heavier harvest of big, dense buds with maximum potency and flavor.
How to Lollipop Your Cannabis Plants
Lollipopping is a simple technique, but you should still exercise caution. You’ll want to lollipop your plants just before they begin flowering. We also recommend pruning—removing unnecessary branches—as well, although you should proceed slowly, and with a plan.
1. Start with sharp, clean shears to prune your plants. Our curved trimming scissors, for example, are great for making precise cuts close to the nodes. For bigger, thicker branches, invest in a pair of shears. Begin by removing obvious foliage. The first few branches near the bottom of your plant obviously won’t get enough light to develop fully. Get rid of these first.
2. Once you’ve taken care of the most obvious problem areas, we recommend following Kyle Kushman’s pruning advice and removing any branches that don’t break at least 50% of the height of the plant. As your plants stretch during the early weeks of flowering, these branches will get shaded out and never develop properly. Lollipopping doesnt have to involve removing entire branches, but pruning is often used in tandem as necessary.
3. Next, start removing branches growing in the middle of the plant, specifically those underneath the canopy. Not only will they likely not get enough light, but this interior foliage also covers up a lot of sites that could develop into sizable buds. Also at this stage, you should remove any branches or leaves that are dying or yellowing.
4. Finally, you’ll want to get to actually lollipopping each individual branch on your plant. Some growers recommend leaving no more than three nodes from the tip of each branch. That, however, depends a lot on the strain, the size, and the health of the individual plant. The time at which you’re pruning also comes into play. If your plants are smaller and you’re trimming late, for example, we recommend trimming below the top 4/5 nodes. In any case, remove all the growth leading up to the topmost nodes on each branch.
Once you’ve lollipopped each branch, we recommend giving your plants 2–3 days to recover before flipping your lights. Also, remember not to over-prune as this can stunt their growth. If you’ve never tried lollipopping before, start slow and work your way up to an ideal pruning strategy.
When do I start the lollipopping and defoliation of an autoflower?
FAQ
What days to defoliate in a flower?
- Vegetative Stage Defoliation. When: week 5+ of the vegetative stage. …
- Flowering Stage Pruning & Defoliation. When: 3 to 4 weeks after switching to flower. …
- Pre-Harvest Defoliation. When: 1 week prior to harvest day, or on harvest day itself.
What week should you lollipop?
Short answer: when the plant has fully stretched. The typical answer is ~3 weeks into flower. During this phase, the plant has put out several buds along the stretched-out shoots. Lollipopping involves removing these side-buds from the bottom up, trimming off 1/3 to 2/3 of the plant’s bottom mass.
Does lollipopping make bigger buds?
Yes, lollipopping cannabis can make bigger buds. By removing the branches and leaves towards the bottom of the cannabis plant, lollipopping ensures that energy is concentrated on the top buds. This focused energy leads to larger, more potent buds.
When to remove fan leaves during flowering?
However, deciding when to remove fan leaves during flowering is a nuanced process. During the early flowering phase (1-3 weeks), you can prune fan leaves that are overshadowing bud sites or impeding airflow. Mid-flowering (weeks 4-6) is typically a no-trim zone – the plant needs its energy for bud production.