How do you feel about loading up the knuckles on your plant?

[RFheavy]

I've seen a picture of a trained horizontal branch just knuckled up. It did look pretty sturdy and it helped the branch stay true and straight. But does it slow down growth? Are there any drawbacks?

[SoOrbudgal]

Are you saying something to the effect of squeezing a branch and laying it over? Or are you talking about piercing with a kabob stick?

[9fingerleafs]

i think you talk about suppercroping, once the branch is recovered the scar looks like a knuckle, strains react differently but usually helps to break the apical dominance with hard to branch out plants, aside from the main structural benefits of turning branches horizontally

[PRIMO]

Or it could be a mainlining knuckle he speaks of, nevertheless it's the plants way of dealing with injuries,no harm no foul.

[RFheavy]

It was this. Sorry for not being more informative, guys. And thanks for the responses. I got information I didn't even know I had questions to!

[SoOrbudgal]

Yep true what primo says, knuckles are good. But they need to be young and pliable to soften the tissue when squeezed to bend. Hmm give me idea about pliers worked real slow on a branch. Have fun good luck

[Obi-Wan]

I like to super-crop my plants when they’re young, it gives the cage some structure and support. If the plants are healthy and happy they won’t miss a beat!!

[SoOrbudgal]

Well mine 8ft+ outdoor mama mia for the second time in her grow just bent her two largest branches over by herself. Went out to check and she's broke tissue folded over. I've taped her up around the split bend but it's my fault for not supporting soon enough. Not sure if they will make it. Broke 14" from top of colas down. She split down the center while I had tried to tie her down to keep her lower, taped that up and she did fine but she was young then, now she's brittle and flowering. Just may have to remove both branches and deal with it till she finishes. Nearly 6months old my mistake.