Every grower is introduced to plant training early in their career to ensure the foundation built in the vegetative stage is sound during the final days of flowering. High Stress Training (HST) techniques like Topping and FIMing, uses the plant’s hormonal response to stimulate cola count and boost overall harvesting yields.
Topping is the process of cutting the stem above the node preventing vertical growth while FIMing (F**k, I Missed!) is cutting the top growth above the emerging new node. When we TOP or FIM, it triggers chemical signals to the lower nodes telling them to boost growth. This switch in apical dominance – which cola is the main cola – creating a bushier and wider plant.
HST causes chemical reactions to occur within the plant itself – unlike Low Stress Training (LST). When you perform LST to expose more colas, she bounces back swiftly. The opposite is true for HST, which can slow down growth for a few days.