The removal of the main growing tip on a cannabis plant to encourage lateral growth is a key cultivation technique. This method involves making a precise cut above a node, which stimulates the development of two new main stems from the nodes immediately below the cut. The result is a bushier plant structure.
Employing this practice can increase potential yields by promoting multiple main colas instead of a single dominant one. It also assists in creating a more uniform canopy, optimizing light penetration to all flowering sites. Historically, growers have used this technique to manage plant height in restricted spaces and to improve overall plant health by promoting air circulation.