- Repair broken or bent cannabis stem?
- How to fix a broken stem of cannabis plants
- The first problem; a bent or folded stem
- The second problem; partially broken stems
- The third problem; a full break
- Another method then duct tape, are there really?
- What makes a branch break, and how to protect against it?
- A note on the techniques
- Frequently asked questions
Repair broken or bent cannabis stem?
Don’t despair, fellow cannabis growers!
Even if your plant’s stem is bent or broken, it is not necessarily game over.
In this post, we will guide you to become a semi-professional CannaMedic, and explain how you can heal your marijuana plants!
We will teach you how to repair bent stems and branches and fix broken stems! The most common problems.
How to fix broken stem cannabis plants
How to fix broken stem cannabis plants
Well, the best way is not to fix it but to prevent it from breaking. Your cannabis plant produces a high yield best in a low-stress environment, and it’s up to you to create that.
You are most likely here because of an emergency, so we will answer that first and then go into preemptive matters.
We all have had great advice from Captain Hindsight and know how annoying that is.
Are the cannabis stems bent? Is there a tear or slice in the stem? Did the branch splinter off completely? We hope not!
We ask these questions because the first thing you need to do is to make an assessment of the damage and decide which methods will work best for the repair.
Then it is time to gather some materials that will be going to help you.
Your best friends will be duct tape or scotch tape (depending on what you have lying around) and something which provides support. A small piece of wood would work just fine, like popsicle sticks or a skewer.
These are all common products in most households, so you don’t have to go out and buy them all.
The first problem – a bent or folded stem
The solution: repair with tape and wood
A bent stem can be problematic and has to be repaired to prevent further damage and not slow the development of new branches.
We would advise stepping in fast as the plant will initiate to heal itself too, but it’s better to assist as the energy spent on healing is energy not spent on growing and will result in a lower yield.
The bent stem can also slow down growth for other reasons; Not getting enough water through the stems Scarring on the plant Being bent low and not receiving enough light Get your gear together and become a CannaMedic; we advise you to handle it carefully.
A bent stem must be coaxed back into its “normal” shape.
Do this gently.
Once you have it back into shape, put a support structure along the stem to make a solid repair. Now use the tape to wrap around and secure it.
Make sure that the tape is wound tightly enough to hold it in place but not so tight that it strangles the cannabis plant.
Check on it at least twice a day to ensure that the wrap is holding and that the tape has not slipped – check more often if you are worried about the patient.
The second problem; partially broken stems.
The solution: repair with tape and wood
A partially broken stem (or branch) is a more serious matter for your cannabis plant, as this is an open wound. It would be best if you acted quickly.
Luckily, the technique for repairing these is almost the same as with bent stems. Creating extra support for the broken area.
You may want to add a splint in the soil, which can reinforce the stem, so there is less tension on the wound.
There is a reason for the snap in the first place. Have all of your equipment ready to go; once you start, you will want to do this quickly.
First, support the broken stem and place support as close as possible to the breaking point. You can clamp them tightly with zip ties or basic garden metal strips.
Now, you can repair the branch with tape and the support, creating a cast that is not too loose but not too tight. If it is hard to place the casting, you can also try hanging the branch by a piece of rope. It would be best to elevate the pull so the wound is closed, wrapped tight, and can rest.
A full break can be repaired.
You must build upon your earlier techniques with a little more work. The difference here is that you must ensure that the two sides of the crack are fully pressed together. Assure stable support for the break, Tape it together firmly, but with caution!
You do not do more damage to the plant than is already done. If the break happens low on the plant and if it is a small stem, it might be better to let it go and accept your losses with that. Repairing a detached stem is not always guaranteed to work, but if it does, you may save your cannabis.
Another method than duct tape, is there really?
Yes, there is a method to repair your broken and bent cannabis stems without tape, or is it not?
You can use glue or another adhesive to fix a break in your stems. However, we are not very fond of this method.
It is quick and effective, but the glue can introduce chemicals to your growth. And, are the ingredients natural?
Remember what your plant absorbs becomes part of the end product.
Your buds will contain some chemicals in the adhesive. You will take those chemicals into your body when you smoke it (or however you ingest your weed).
This is why we do not recommend this.
As with the other methods, you have to put the two pieces of the break together.
You will have to support and claim it ideally. And what would be a good product to help you calm… I can think of one; tape!
Put the glue carefully around the outside of the stem or branch, where the break is.
Do not get it between the two sides of the joint. Otherwise, you can block the xylem and phloem. These transport the plant’s nutrients and water just like our arteries transport our blood.
It worked! now, what do i do?
Congrats, mission accomplished!
It feels good to know that you helped your cannabis plant to health.
You need to take the tape supports off the plant, as these can become restrictive for further growth.
Make sure the plant is fully healed, around 2 to 4 weeks before you do this. Proceed with caution; you do not want to cause new problems and must fix your plant again.
What makes a branch break, and how to protect against it?
What makes a branch break, and how to protect against it?
There are endless ways in which a plant can get a broken or bent stem. It’s obvious that your young plants are still very fragile; the branches are new and thin. So be extra careful in that stage.
A bend or break can also happen when you brush against it. When they mature, they grow stronger, but you should always handle them with care.
Outdoor growers know this all too well as they have to deal with the forces of nature, animals, and maybe even some playful kids who are not very aware of their surroundings.
A ball equals broken stems.
It’s easy to think of something that can act as a barrier and protect your cannabis plant. Creating a support structure will give them extra stability and keep them up; this will show when the flowering plants start to buckle and the branches are pointing downwards instead of upwards to the beloved sun.
Common problems for Indoor growers are the space and or accessibility of the growing area. This can cause repetitive friction and result in a bent stem or broken branch. It’s worth buying a growing net; these have a nice grid to direct the weed plant to another side and out of your way.
Make it so you can set it at different levels and adjust it if needed.
The net can also help to develop your growing techniques as you can use the net to guide the plant in a certain direction or to support branches that are growing harder, creating more tops and more yield!
A note on the techniques
Some cannabis growers advise not to use supports for fixing broken stems and full breaks. They only recommend it for bent or folded stems. This is something you can decide for yourself.
The size of your plants and the break will give you the best indication of how to repair broken stems.
I have found that providing assistance and using a splint helps the plant and mitigates stress.
Stress is the main contributor to a lower final yield. And honestly, in my humble opinion, the world is held together with duct tape and tie wraps anyways 😉
We hope you won’t need to fix broken parts or repair bent stems. But if you need to do that, that blog has provided you with all the information you need. We will close with what we stated earlier, “prevention is better than to cure,” a phrase from the Dutch philosopher Erasmus. By taking proper care of your marijuana plants, your plant will be at ease and won’t need to take a sick day to repair broken stems so it can produce copious amounts of weed freely!
Frequently asked questions
Can a cannabis plant recover from a broken stem?
Your cannabis plants can fix themselves to a certain degree. The problem might be that due to the direction of the break, it will heal with a branch pointed down on your soil because of gravity.
Can you reattach a snapped main stem?
Yes, It is possible to reattach the main stem if it breaks. This technique is grafting the plant back onto the bottom of its stem. It is a more advanced technique and will not always work. But, if you are willing to try, it is the same technique as a complete break.
How long does it take for a broken stem to heal?
Each plant is different; a plant will usually recover somewhere between two to four weeks. Of course, depending on what sort of damage it is. And you will need to make sure that your pant is well cared for and that you are checking in often.
Can you save a seedling?
You can save a seedling if you act very quickly. The method for saving a seedling is the same as for a complete break. You will need the same equipment and the same process. The only difference is that you must be even more careful and gentle when handling the seedling. This is because an older plant can handle stress and damage better than a seedling. Because of this, you want to minimize the shock and ensure low stress.
Can you grow roots from a cannabis stem?
Yes, you can use a root gel or hormones. In that case, follow the directions on the specific product you are using. If you want to try to grow roots without using gels or hormones, use the following procedure:
- Prepare an opaque container with unchlorinated water.
- Immediately place your cutting in the water. Trim its lower leaves, so they are not sitting in water.
- Place your cutting on a windowsill, not in direct sunlight.
- For best results, keep the temperature at 23 to 25°C (73 to 77°F). Roots should form in about 8-10 days. They should be ready for transplant in about 2 to 3 weeks. The roots should then be at least 3 to 5 Cm (1 to 2 Inch) long.
