How to stake a plant  : complete guide

Staking marijuana plants is a technique that is increasingly recognized for its ability to significantly improve crop yields and quality. Proper implementation of this practice can take your growing skills to a new level, allowing you to obtain more abundant harvests and larger buds. In this article we’ll reveal how to stake a plant for more abundant yields. 

How important is to stake a plant in marijuana crops?

Staking is an essential practice in marijuana seeds growing for several reasons. First, it helps maximize growing space, allowing each plant to efficiently utilize the available area. This can result in higher yields and better quality buds.

In addition, the importance of using plant stakes helps prevent structural damage to the plant. Marijuana flowers can become quite heavy as they mature. Without proper support, branches can bend or even break under the weight, which not only reduces yields but can also jeopardize the overall health of the plant.

Advantages of staking the plants:

• To guide plant growth.
• Promote uniform light distribution.
• Improve air circulation.

This means that with proper application, all parts of the plant receive enough light and air. The result is more uniform growth resulting in optimized production.

Although staking may require time and effort initially, the long-term benefits are evident in terms of yield and crop quality, making it an indispensable component for any marijuana grower.

Materials to stake a plant

Among the materials needed to stake marijuana plants are the following:

Stakes for buds

Marijuana buds, as they grow and gain size, also increase in weight, which can lead to branches bending or even breaking. This makes it essential to use stakes for support to ensure the stability and health of the plant. Choosing sturdy and durable stakes is essential; materials such as plastic are preferred for their longevity and ease of cleaning.

How to choose and place the right stakes

• Strength and height: select stakes that can support the weight of heavy buds without bending. They should be tall enough to support the vertical growth of the plant.
• Material: use plastic stakes that will not deteriorate with humidity or damage the plant.
• Installation: fix the stakes at a distance of 5-6 cm from the main trunk to provide effective support without damaging the roots and stem.
• Main bud attachment: carefully tie the central stem to the stake in a gentle manner so as not to cut or strangle the plant.
• Lateral support: for larger lateral buds, it is important to tie the secondary branches to the stakes, thus distributing the weight and promoting a balanced development.

SCROG Screen

The Scrog mesh is an effective cultivation tool to optimize the lighting in your marijuana crops. Its use allows to control the vertical growth of plants, favoring a homogeneous distribution of light between all branches and leaves.

The installation of a Scrog mesh is done in several stages:

• Selection and installation of the mesh: choose a mesh with squares of approximately 5 cm on each side. It will have to be placed above the crop, about 20-30 cm above the plants.
• Interlacing the branches: as the plants grow, pass their branches through the mesh squares, directing them horizontally.
• Growth control: continue to guide the growth until about 70% of the spaces in the mesh are occupied by branches.

For growing in SCRoG, it is best to intertwine as early as possible to avoid damage to the branches. When done correctly, each branch will have its own space within the scrog netting, allowing all branches to receive an equal amount of light.

This method also helps to support the weight of the buds during their development, avoiding bending or breaking of the branches.

How to stake marijuana plants

This method of staking involves tying the stem and main branches to supports. It is necessary to drive these supports into the ground and secure the stem to several points on the stake, with at least two being recommended. As the plant grows, more attachment points can be added between the stem and the stake.

For more experienced growers, the SCROG technique is available for indoor growing. This technique uses stakes and netting to support the branches and direct them towards the light. It is advisable to follow the instructions carefully and consult specialized tutorials to apply this technique correctly.

The SCROG netting should be placed horizontally at a height of approximately 20 to 40 cm above the pots. As the plant reaches the mesh, the branches should be intertwined with it, covering as much space as possible.

How to stake a plant for outdoor cultivation

Outdoor staking is essential for maintaining healthy plants that produce abundant, high-quality flowers. It also helps protect plants from inclement weather, such as wind. The method of staking should be selected according to the size of the plant to be grown.

Small plants in pots or soil

In case of planting autoflowering varieties, short stature, clones or at the end of the growing season, simple staking should be used. When the plant reaches about 30 cm, insert a stake about 3 cm from the stem, being careful not to damage the roots, nailing it up to ¾ of the depth of the pot. The stake is then attached to the plant at at least two points, taking care not to strangle it. As the plant grows, more attachment points are added. It is important to make sure that the stake does not overhang the main bud.

A couple more stakes can be added at the ends of the pot to help support the main branches to encourage the development of large buds.

Staking medium-sized plants in pots or soil

For larger plants (one to one and a half meters), it is recommended to start staking when the first signs of pre-flowering appear. Stakes of 100 to 150 cm and garden wire should be used. Initially, the central stake is placed, following the precautions mentioned for small plants.

Once the central stake is attached, the main stem is tied to the stake in at least two points, one at about 30 cm and the other at about 70 cm from the ground, making sure that the stake does not overlap the main bud. As the plant grows, more attachment points can be added. 

In addition, four additional stakes are placed at the corners of the pot, forming a square or rectangle around the plant. Using the gardening wire, at least three horizontal lines are created at different heights so that the branches can be supported. These lines can be placed initially at 30, 60 and 90 cm from the ground, and adjusted according to the support needs of the lateral branches.

Stake a plant in large pots or soil

Cannabis plants planted in pots of 50 liters or more, or directly in soil, at the beginning of the season can grow enormously, exceeding two meters. These plants, which must support the weight of numerous buds, require adequate staking to avoid damage due to weight or adverse weather conditions. 

Ideally, start with a stake of at least 100 cm for the main stem when it reaches 50 cm, and change to a larger stake of at least 150 cm, such as bamboo or a steel rod, at the beginning of flowering. It is advisable to use a 200 cm stake for large plants.

If the plant is in a large pot, four stakes are placed in a rectangle or square around the plant. A plastic Scrog net can be added to these stakes. As the plant grows, the side branches are guided into the holes in the mesh.

In this way, the plant will be protected from inclement weather and will be able to support the growth of numerous side branches, ensuring optimal development.

Ongoing maintenance and precautions when staking marijuana plants

Trellising maintenance is essential to ensure that marijuana plants grow healthily and produce large buds. A process that requires constant monitoring and timely adjustments to supports must be followed.

Constant monitoring

Regularly check the condition of the supports and ties. Make sure that heavy buds are not causing undue stress on the branches or central stem. If bent branches or buds touching the ground are observed, the supports need to be adjusted.

Adjustments to supports

As plants grow during the growing cycle, they will likely need more support. You can add additional stakes or adjust the tension on the scrog mesh as needed. These adjustments will need to be made carefully to avoid damaging the plants.

Caution is also crucial into stake a plant and to avoid damaging them.

• Avoid tying them too tightly: this can strangle the branches and limit their growth. Use soft, flexible ties that do not damage the bark of the plant.
• Do not place the stakes too close to the main stem: this could damage the roots. The recommended distance is 5-6 cm from the trunk.
• Be careful when handling the plant: when applying techniques such as LST or pruning, be gentle to avoid breaking branches.

Once you have mastered the techniques for making stakes for maintenance and precautionary plants. Thus, you will be on your way to growing healthier and more productive marijuana plants.