Lollipopping cannabis plants is a technique used by growers to maximize yields and improve bud quality. It involves removing all growth from the bottom of the plant so it can focus energy on the top colas Knowing the best time to lollipop cannabis plants in the flowering stage is key to getting the most out of this training method
What is Lollipopping?
Lollipopping gets its name from the fact that it leaves the plant bare and naked on the bottom with foliage only at the top resembling a lollipop. It involves systematically removing lower shoots leaves, and bud sites.
The goals of lollipopping are:
- Force the plant to divert energy to the top colas instead of lower growth that won’t develop properly
- Improve air circulation and light penetration to the middle and lower parts of the plant
- Avoid wasting nutrients on larfy lower buds that are less potent
Skilled growers use lollipopping to maximize the size and quality of their main colas.
When is the Best Time to Lollipop in Flowering?
The ideal time to lollipop cannabis plants is in the first few weeks of the flowering stage, just as the plant begins making buds.
For photoperiod plants, lollipop 0-3 weeks after switching to a 12/12 light schedule. The first week is common, but waiting a couple weeks allows you to identify which buds sites aren’t developing before removing them.
For autoflowers, lollipop once pistils start forming, marking the transition from vegetation to flowering. Autos typically don’t get tall enough to require lollipopping, but it can be useful if you have large plants under weaker lights.
Lollipopping vegetative plants is not necessary unless they get unruly and too tall. It’s best to wait until flowering so energy isn’t wasted on new growth. The exception would be overly tall plants that need their height controlled before the switch.
Lollipopping late in flowering stresses plants and can reduce yields by removing viable buds. Stick to the first few weeks for best results.
How Much Should You Remove When Lollipopping Cannabis?
There are no hard rules on how much to remove when lollipopping cannabis. It depends on factors like:
- Plant size and structure
- Light intensity and coverage
- Growing space constraints
As a general guideline, remove:
- All growth below the canopy or light penetration zone
- Lower shoots that won’t develop properly
- Fan leaves shading potential bud sites
- Enough for good airflow to avoid mold issues
Take a conservative approach at first, leaving some leaves to power bud growth. You can always remove more later. Don’t overdo it and stress the plant.
Step-by-Step Guide to Lollipopping Cannabis Plants
Follow these steps for effective lollipopping:
1. Choose the Right Time
Lollipop in the first 0-3 weeks of flowering as described above.
2. Remove Lower Foliage and Bud Sites
Start from the bottom and systematically remove lower fan leaves, shoots and pre-flowers, working up to the canopy line.
3. Watch for New Growth
Keep an eye out for new lower growth emerging after lollipopping. Remove any new shoots or foliage that won’t get light.
4. Maintain as Needed
Do a final leaf-stripping pass before harvest to expose buds and improve air circulation.
Lollipopping Tips
- Lollipop before buds develop so the plant redirects energy
- Don’t remove too much – be conservative at first
- Avoid unnecessary stress by lollipopping only once before harvest
- Combine with training methods like SCROG for optimized results
- Go easy with LEDs and other intense lights that penetrate canopies
- Remove less with fluorescents that don’t penetrate as deeply
- Consider the grow space – lollipop more for short, bushy plants
- If height is a concern, lollipop vegetative plants before the stretch
- Autos usually don’t need much lollipopping compared to photos
Benefits of Proper Lollipopping Technique
When done right at the start of flowering, lollipopping offers several benefits:
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Bigger main colas – Removing lower growth means more energy gets channeled to the top.
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Better bud quality – The plant focuses on swelling the best buds instead of diverting energy to lower growth.
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Improved light exposure – Penetration improves so the middle of the plant gets more light.
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Healthier plants – Air circulation increases, reducing humidity and mold risks.
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Higher yields – With bigger, better buds using the plant’s energy more efficiently.
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Easier harvesting – Removing lower foliage makes harvesting the choice buds easier.
Lollipopping is one of the best techniques for maximizing the most important areas of your cannabis plant – the juicy top colas. Follow these tips on when and how much to lollipop, and you’ll be rewarded with higher yields of premium buds!
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. After fixing the most obvious problems, we suggest that you prune according to Kyle Kushman’s advice and cut off any branches that don’t reach at least 200% of the plant’s height. These branches won’t grow properly because your plants will stretch during the first few weeks of flowering. 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 probably not get enough light, but this inner foliage also hides many places where big buds could grow. 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. For example, if your plants are small and you’re trimming late, you should cut 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.
The Benefits of Lollipopping
Other plants, including cannabis plants, get their energy from light, water, and food in their environment. This energy, however, is limited. As growers call it, “lollipopping” is all about getting your plants to focus their energy on making 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. Most likely, by the time they’re ready to flower, they’ll have a thick canopy that doesn’t let much light through. This means, of course, that light won’t reach the bud sites toward the bottom. If you don’t do anything, these lower nodes will make small, airy “popcorn” buds that are weak, smell bad, and don’t look good in a bag.
This helps direct light to the right nodes and makes the best use of your plants’ limited energy stores. The end result is a heavier harvest of big, dense buds with maximum potency and flavor.
How to Lollipop My Plants and considerations before taking action
FAQ
Should you lollipop before or after flowering?
What week of flower should I defoliate?
Does lollipopping stress plants?
What week should I lollipop?
When should you start lollipopping cannabis?
The ideal time to start lollipopping cannabis is the third week of their flowering period. You’ll begin to see the colas starting to bloom by this time. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re sacrificing potential yield. Instead, concentrate the yield onto four to five bud sites on your cannabis plant. Does lollipopping increase yield?
How do I start lollipopping a plant?
A good place to start when lollipopping is to look at your plants in the sun or with your grow lights on (if you’re running an indoor setup). Take a step back and examine your plants from a distance, looking for shady areas. These are the areas you’ll want to remove first as they’ll only drive down the development of your entire plant.
What is cannabis lollipopping?
In the world of cannabis cultivation, lollipopping cannabis involves creating a plant that, for the most part, looks like its candy counterpart. But how does one turn a plant into a lollipop?
What are the benefits of lollipopping cannabis plants?
Here’s a list of benefits that come along with lollipopping marijuana plants: As you can see, lollipopping cannabis plants is an excellent method to streamline and accelerate plant and bud development. Next, let’s discuss when you need to lollipop cannabis plants.