Cannabis plants are susceptible to various environmental stresses, including storms, which can have both immediate and long-term effects on their growth and overall health.
While some damage might be unavoidable in extreme weather conditions, a combination of planning, protective measures, and quick action can help minimize the impact of storms on your cannabis crop.
Possible Plant Damage:
Physical Damage: Strong winds associated with storms can cause physical damage to cannabis plants. Plants may be bent, broken, or uprooted, which can significantly hinder their growth and yield potential. Broken branches and stems can also become entry points for diseases and pests.
Uprooting: Severe storms with high winds can uproot entire cannabis plants, leading to their death. Even if the plant isn't fully uprooted, the damage to the root system can have detrimental effects on nutrient uptake and overall health.
Flooding: Heavy rainfall during storms can lead to flooding in the growing area. Cannabis plants are sensitive to waterlogged soil, as it can suffocate the roots and lead to root rot. Excessive moisture can also increase the risk of fungal diseases.
Soil Erosion: Intense rainfall can wash away the top layer of soil, exposing the roots and affecting the plant's stability. This can also lead to nutrient depletion and reduced water retention capacity in the soil.
Hail: Hail is another potential hazard during storms. Hailstones can damage leaves, stems, and buds, causing physical injury and creating openings for infections to take hold.
Humidity and Mold Issues: Storms can bring high humidity levels, which, if prolonged, can create a favorable environment for mold and mildew growth on the cannabis plants. These fungal infections can spread rapidly and cause significant damage to the plant's leaves and flowers.
Prevention of Damaged Plants:
To mitigate the potential devastating effects of storms on cannabis plants, it's important to take preventative measures such as providing physical support, choosing sheltered planting locations, and employing techniques like pruning and training. Regularly monitoring your plants, especially after storms, allows you to identify and address issues promptly.
Here are a few measures you can take to help protect your plant:
Select a Sheltered Location: When choosing a planting location, opt for a spot that provides some natural wind protection, such as near a wall, fence, or other structures that can act as a windbreak.
Sturdy Supports: Use sturdy supports like bamboo stakes or metal trellises to help your plants stay upright. These supports will prevent the plants from bending or breaking under the pressure of strong winds.
Pruning and Training: Prune your plants to remove excessive foliage and encourage a more compact growth habit. Additionally, training techniques like topping and tying down branches can help create a more robust and wind-resistant plant structure.
Emergency Stakes: If a storm is approaching and your plants are already established, you can use additional stakes to anchor them more securely to the ground. Be sure to drive the stakes into the ground away from the plants base to avoid damaging the root system.
Post Plant Damage Care
Repairing a split cannabis plant involves providing immediate support and care to help the plant heal and continue growing. If a cannabis plant has experienced a split or break in its stem or branches, follow these steps to repair and salvage the plant:
Act Quickly: The sooner you address the split, the better the chances of the plant recovering. Time is crucial, as untreated split can lead to infections and further damage.
Gather Materials: You will need soft plant ties, clean scissors or pruning shears, a clean cloth or tape, and optionally some rooting hormone.
Support the Split: Gently bring the two sides of the plant, or split branches together. If the split is large, you may need to align the pieces are closely as possible. Avoiding bending the stem too much.
Secure the Split: Use soft plant ties, twist ties, zip ties, or duct tape to hold the split parts together. Start tying at the base of the split and work your way upward. Make sure the ties or tape are snug but not tight enough to cut into the plant tissue.
Splinting: For larger splits, you might need to provide additional support by splinting. This can be done using materials like popsicle sticks, bamboo stakes, or a piece of a coat hanger. Place the splint next to the stem and secure it along with the ties.
Seal the Split: To prevent infections and diseases from entering through the split, you can use a clean cloth or waterproof tape to cover the split area. Make sure not to wrap it too tightly to allow airflow.
Apply Rooting Hormone: If you have rooting hormone available, applying a small amount to the split area can encourage the plant to form callus tissue and heal faster.
Provide Care: Place the plant in a stable environment with appropriate light, temperature, and humidity. Avoid exposing the plant to harsh conditions or strong winds during its recovery.
It's important to note that not all splits can be successfully repaired, especially if the damage is extensive. In some cases, even with your best efforts, the plant may not fully recover. If the splint is severe or the plant shows signs of decline despite your efforts, it might be best to consider starting fresh with a new plant.
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