Monster Cropping Cannabis

How flowering cuttings are rooted and re-vegged, why unusual leaves and strong branching occur, and why monster cropping is primarily interesting as a rescue strategy for valuable genetics.

Monster cropping is a special form of clonal propagation. In this process, a cutting is not taken from a plant in the vegetative phase as is standard, but rather from an already flowering, photoperiodic cannabis plant. The flowering shoot is rooted and then guided back into vegetative development under a long light cycle.

The method thus combines two techniques:

• propagation via cannabis cuttings
• re-vegging cannabis

Monster cropping is not a standardized botanical term. The name originated within the growing community and alludes to the unusually branched, sometimes almost chaotic growth that reverted flowering cuttings can develop.

The most important benefit, however, is not an alleged monstrous increase in yield. Monster cropping is primarily a rescue strategy for genetics: a plant can still be preserved as a clone even if no cutting was secured during the vegetative phase and its special qualities only become visible during flowering.

What exactly is monster cropping?

With classic cloning, young, vegetative side shoots are cut and induced to form new roots. The cutting is already in a vegetative development phase and, after successful rooting, can continue to grow in a comparatively straightforward manner.

In monster cropping, however, the cutting originates from the flowering phase. Its tissue and shoot tip are already set for reproductive development. In addition to leaves, the cutting often carries initial bracts, stigmas, and small bud sites.

The process therefore consists of two transitions:

1. The detached flowering shoot must form adventitious roots.
2. The rooted cutting must switch from reproductive back to vegetative development.

This double transition makes monster cropping slower and less predictable than standard cloning.

Monster cropping, re-vegging, and standard cloning

The three terms overlap but do not describe exactly the same thing.

Standard cloning

A cutting is taken from a vegetative plant or mother plant. It is rooted and subsequently continues to grow vegetatively.

Monster cropping

A cutting is taken from an already flowering plant. After rooting, it is returned to the vegetative phase under long-day conditions.

Re-vegging an entire plant

The original plant is not completely removed after or during flowering. Some buds, leaves, and shoots remain. Subsequently, the entire plant is exposed to a long light cycle again.

Monster cropping is thus a form of re-vegging at the cutting level.

Why growers use monster cropping

The biggest advantage is the retrospective preservation of an interesting phenotype.

When selecting from seeds, it is not possible to fully determine which plant will be particularly impressive later before flowering begins. Many important characteristics only become visible during the flowering phase:

• Flower structure
• Resin coverage
• Terpene profile
• Stretch
• Ripening time
• Flower-to-leaf ratio
• Color development
• Stress response
• Uniformity
• Visible sexual stability

If no clone was taken beforehand, the special phenotype would normally be lost after the harvest. A flowering cutting can then be the last opportunity to vegetatively preserve the genotype.

A "keeper" often only reveals itself during flowering

A keeper is a plant that should be preserved long-term due to its special properties. Which plant is suitable for this can only be judged to a limited extent from the vegetative phase alone.

Vigorous growth does not automatically mean:

• Strong aroma
• High trichome density
• Good flower structure
• Short ripening time
• Sexual stability
• Desired cannabinoid profile

Conversely, a plant that appears unremarkable during the vegetative phase can develop an extraordinary profile during flowering.

This is especially true for phenotype searches from modern photoperiodic genetics such as Pink Piña – Grounded Genetics, Moonbow 112 IX – Archive Seed Bank, Imperial Grapes – Commonwealth Seed Co., Granita – Perfect Tree Seeds, or Nam Wah – Symbiotic Genetics. Such strain pages describe the genetic potential, but which individual seedling eventually becomes a keeper only becomes apparent during the actual grow.

The better strategy: Backup clones before flowering

Monster cropping is useful, but it is not the most reliable form of phenotype preservation. Those conducting targeted selection should ideally take a vegetative backup clone from every candidate before the original plants are sent into flowering.

The workflow of a controlled selection process can look like this:

1. Clearly label plants.
2. Take a vegetative clone from every plant.
3. Maintain clones under long-day conditions.
4. Bring original plants to flower.
5. Document flower characteristics.
6. Sort out uninteresting backup clones.
7. Keep the clone of the best phenotype as a mother plant.

Monster cropping becomes relevant primarily when this step has been skipped or a plant unexpectedly performs very well.

Why flowering cuttings can be harder to root

Roots that develop from a cut stem are called adventitious roots. Their formation is a complex process involving wound signals, carbohydrates, plant hormones, and the physiological state of the tissue.

Numerous processes within the plant change with the shift from vegetative to reproductive development. General plant studies show that tissue may have poorer conditions for adventitious rooting after the transition to flowering. Among other things, the auxin balance and the reaction of the cut area change during this time.

For cannabis, this correlation has not yet been sufficiently directly investigated in the context of monster cropping. Practically, however, it is plausible why an already flowering shoot requires more time and energy than a young vegetative cutting:

• The shoot is already programmed for flower formation.
• Part of its reserves is tied up in reproductive tissue.
• The leaf area is often smaller or structured differently.
• The cutting must simultaneously heal wounds and change its developmental mode.
• Older or more developed tissue may react more slowly.

Not every flowering cutting fails. However, the success rate is often less predictable than with healthy vegetative cuttings.

Monster cropping has barely been scientifically studied directly

Many claims about monster cropping stem from growing experience, forums, and practical articles. These include assertions such as:

• Flowering cuttings supposedly always form twice as many side shoots.
• Monster cropping automatically increases yield.
• Cuttings from a specific week of flowering are always optimal.
• Every genotype reacts the same way.
• Monster crop clones are permanently bushier.

There is currently a lack of reliable cannabis-specific comparative research for such sweeping rules.

Existing studies investigate, among other things:

• Rooting of ordinary cannabis cuttings
• Different substrates
• Auxin treatments
• Humidity and temperature
• Light spectra during rooting
• Plant architecture
• Photoperiods and flower development

These results help to understand individual parts of the method, but they do not automatically prove the common promises of monster cropping.

Which plants are suitable

Monster cropping is aimed at healthy, photoperiod-sensitive cannabis plants.

The method can be particularly useful when:

• A plant is only identified as a "keeper" during flowering
• No vegetative backup clone is available
• The genetics cannot be reproduced again from seed
• A special phenotype needs to be preserved
• A clone-only selection is at risk of being lost
• No permanent mother room is maintained

Less suitable are:

• Severely ill plants
• Plants with pests
• Shoots with severe deficiencies
• Areas already dead or heavily lignified
• Sexually unstable plants
• Largely senescent plants
• Autoflowering plants

The clone not only preserves the desired characteristics of its genotype; it can also carry over pests, fungi, viruses, and other issues from the parent plant.

The right time

There is no scientifically defined, universally optimal week of flowering. In cultivation practice, relatively early flowering stages are often preferred because the shoots still possess more vegetative leaf mass and are less fixed in their reproductive state.

As flowering progresses, the starting conditions change:

• Flowering tissue increases.
• Fan leaves decrease.
• Stems can become more lignified.
• Reserves are shifted into inflorescences.
• Senescence can set in.
• The return to the vegetative state can take longer.

A later cutting can still root and revegetate. However, the method usually becomes slower and more uncertain the further development and aging have progressed.

The crucial rule is therefore not "week two" or "week three," but rather: as early as possible, as soon as it becomes clear that the plant should be preserved.

Which shoot is suitable

A suitable flowering cutting should be healthy, vital, and free from visible pests or diseases. In practice, side shoots from less dominant areas of the plant are often chosen.

A sensible shoot possesses:

• Multiple healthy nodes
• Sufficient stem length
• Functional leaves
• No necrosis
• No visible pollen sacs or anthers
• No soft, rotting tissue
• No significant pest infestation
• A stem that is not yet fully lignified

Large, dense inflorescences are not an advantage for rooting. They increase transpiration and microbial risk while the cutting has no roots yet.

Precise cutting and hygiene

A cutting is an open plant wound. Working hygienically reduces the risk of introducing pathogens directly into the vascular tissue.

Important factors are:

• Sharp tools
• Cleaned or disinfected blade
• Cleaned hands or gloves
• Clearly labeled cuttings
• Fresh rooting medium
• Cleaned propagation containers
• No shared use of contaminated water

Especially when preserving valuable genetics, hygiene should not start only with in-vitro cultivation. Even a normal clone can carry pathogens through many subsequent generations.

What happens with the flower buds

A monster crop cutting often already carries small flower buds. Very large flower masses are burdensome for the unrooted cutting because they lose water and can create a humid microclimate.

In practice, therefore, a portion of the excess reproductive tissue is often reduced without removing all nodes and growth points. It is crucial that viable tissue remains from which new vegetative shoots can later emerge.

Removing too much can additionally weaken the cutting. Conversely, leaving too much flower material can:

• Increase evaporation
• Promote mold
• Hinder air circulation
• Increase energy demand
• Create dead tissue

The balance depends on the size, flowering stage, and condition of the respective shoot.

Rooting medium: Water and air must be balanced

For cannabis cuttings, it is not just moisture that is important; the base of the cut also needs oxygen.

Suitable media can include:

• Fine, airy starting substrates
• Peat-perlite mixtures
• Starter cubes
• Rockwool
• Propagation sponges
• Aeroponic systems

A very dry medium will cause the cutting to dehydrate. A permanently water-saturated medium can lower oxygen content and promote rot.

The ratio of water-holding capacity to air pores is therefore more important than the simple statement that the medium should be as wet as possible. Further topics include drainage, root respiration, and substrate structure.

Humidity and VPD

Unrooted cuttings cannot yet compensate for water loss via a functioning root system. Increased relative humidity initially reduces transpiration.

Air that is too dry can lead to the following:

• Wilting leaves
• Desiccation of the cut surface
• Leaf loss
• Slower root formation
• Death of the cutting

Permanently extremely high humidity can, however, also be problematic:

• Condensation
• Mold
• Soft plant tissue
• Poor acclimatization
• Poor air circulation
• Low transpiration control

What matters is not just an isolated humidity value, but the interplay of temperature, humidity, and VPD. After successful rooting, the plant should be gradually accustomed to more normal conditions.

Temperature

Temperature influences enzyme activity, water loss, metabolism, and root formation. Temperatures that are too low slow down these processes. Temperatures that are too high increase evaporation and microbial pressure.

Temperature in the root zone is particularly important. Cold, wet substrate can hinder root formation just as much as overheated propagation containers.

A stable propagation climate is more important than frequent changes between hot, cold, dry, and very humid conditions.

Light during rooting

Unrooted cuttings need light for their metabolism but should not be treated with the intensity given to a fully grown plant. Light that is too strong increases water loss before sufficient roots are present.

Relevant factors are:

• moderate light intensity
• even distribution
• minimal heat stress
• sufficient day length
• stable photoperiod

A study with common medicinal cannabis cuttings showed that additional far-red light improved adventitious rooting in one out of two trials. However, it did not prove a universal far-red benefit and did not examine "monster crop" cuttings.

Far-red is therefore not a necessary monster cropping hack. A stable, appropriate light environment is more important than replicating a single spectral experiment.

Auxins and rooting hormones

Auxins play a central role in the formation of adventitious roots. Rooting products often contain synthetic auxins such as IBA or NAA.

Cannabis and hemp studies show that auxin treatments can improve rooting. At the same time, cultivars react differently. A concentration or mixture that works well for one genetic line may not be optimal for another.

More rooting hormone is not automatically better. Concentrations that are too high can damage tissue, promote unwanted callus formation, or impair root development.

For monster cropping, therefore:

• Auxins can provide support.
• They do not replace good cutting material.
• They do not compensate for a rotting medium.
• They do not fix disease.
• They do not guarantee successful re-vegging.

When does re-vegging begin?

The return to the vegetative phase does not necessarily begin only after rooting is completely finished. Light signals already act on the living shoot tissue. In practice, however, the cutting must first survive and develop sufficient roots before vigorous vegetative growth becomes possible.

Under a long light cycle, photoperiodically sensitive plants are directed back toward a vegetative state. Often, for a long time, very little appears to be happening at first.

Typical transition phases are:

1. The cutting remains almost unchanged externally.
2. Flower tissue ages or stagnates.
3. Small new growth points appear.
4. Unusual single or three-fingered leaves emerge.
5. The shoots branch irregularly.
6. Later, more normal, multi-fingered leaves appear again.
7. Growth accelerates.

This process can take significantly longer than just the rooting itself.

Why the first leaves look unusual

Re-vegging plants often form leaves that do not look like typical mature cannabis fan leaves.

Possibilities include:

• single-leaflet leaves
• three-fingered leaves
• rounder leaf shapes
• twisted leaf surfaces
• asymmetrical leaves
• unusually long leaf stems
• strongly varying internodes
• several new shoots from a small space

These appearances are not automatically a sign of a genetic defect. They reflect the transition between reproductive and vegetative development.

Only when the plant forms several generations of normal leaves again and grows vigorously is the re-vegging largely complete.

Where the heavy branching comes from

The namesake "monster" growth likely arises from several factors:

• Flowering shoots possess many densely arranged nodes and axillary buds.
• The previous apical organization is disrupted by cutting and phase change.
• Several dormant growth points can become active at the same time.
• Meristems near the flowers develop anew.
• Hormonal signals and carbohydrate distribution change.

This can lead to bushy, heavily branched growth. However, it does not have to occur with the same intensity in every clone and every genetic strain.

A monster crop clone is not permanently biologically "monstrous." After a long period of vegetation, training, and further cloning, subsequent generations can grow significantly more normally again.

Monster cropping as a training technique

Monster cropping is often described not only for preserving genetics but also as a training technique. The numerous shoots can create a wide plant and a densely filled canopy.

Possible advantages are:

• many side shoots
• good distribution on a net
• flexible shapability
• strong suitability for SCROG
• less dependence on a single main shoot

The same structure can also have disadvantages:

• center of the plant too dense
• poor air movement
• many weak shoots
• increased pruning requirements
• uneven lighting
• difficult-to-control growth

Bushier does not automatically mean better. The architecture must fit the area, lighting, and airflow.

Monster cropping and SCROG

A re-vegged clone can form many shoots that can be distributed under a SCROG net. This allows for a wide area to be filled using a single genetic strain.

This works particularly well if:

• there is sufficient vegetative time
• weak shoots are removed
• the center of the plant does not remain too dense
• the net is used early enough
• light distribution is even
• air can circulate under the canopy

However, monster cropping replaces neither low-stress training nor thoughtful canopy management. It merely provides a potentially heavily branched starting material.

Monster cropping and SOG

For a classic Sea of Green, small, uniform clones with a short vegetative phase are often used. Monster crop clones are not always ideal for this because re-vegging and irregular branching can lengthen the process.

SOG thrives primarily on:

• uniform clones
• predictable plant height
• short cycles
• clear main-shoot structure
• uniform stage of development

Monster cropping fits better into systems where individual plants are grown vegetatively for longer and trained wide. Use in SOG is possible, but not automatically efficient.

Does monster cropping guarantee more yield?

No.

The method can produce more side shoots and thus create a different plant architecture. However, more shoots do not necessarily mean more usable flower mass.

Yield still depends on:

• genetics
• root volume
• vegetative duration
• amount of light
• plant area
• canopy uniformity
• plant density
• water management
• nutrient supply
• climate
• health status
• ripening time

A poorly controlled, overly dense monster crop clone can even yield less uniform flowers than a well-developed normal clone.

The method should therefore not be described as a yield booster. Its primary value remains genetic salvation and its unique architecture.

Clones are genetically identical – but not always the same on the outside

A clone generally possesses the same genotype as the parent plant. However, this does not mean that every subsequent plant will look exactly the same under all conditions or produce the same amounts of flowers and metabolites.

The visible phenotype arises from genetics and the environment. Differences can arise due to:

• light
• temperature
• root space
• plant age
• cutting position
• diseases
• nutrient supply
• epigenetic states
• stress
• developmental stage

A monster crop clone preserves the genetic identity of the keeper. The unusual transitional form during re-vegging is not new genetics.

Is the terpene profile preserved?

Since the clone possesses the same genotype, the genetic potential for cannabinoids and terpene profiles is preserved.

How strongly this potential manifests in the next cycle depends again on the environment and cultivation management. An identical clone can show variations under different conditions in terms of:

• Aroma intensity
• Cannabinoid concentration
• Flower structure
• Color
• Resin production
• Maturation time
• Yield

Monster cropping preserves the genotype, not the exact environment of the original grow.

Monster cropping and mother plants

A successfully revegetated plant can later be used as a mother plant. To do this, it should first return completely to stable vegetative growth.

Before taking further cuttings, it makes sense to check:

• Is it producing normal leaves again?
• Is it growing vigorously?
• Are the internodes stable?
• Is it free of pests?
• Does it show no male flower structures?
• Is the root system healthy?
• Does the plant remain vital over a longer period?

If you clone again too soon, you may end up with weak shoots that are still in transition.

Monster cropping instead of a permanent mother room

One possible advantage is that you do not need to keep a mother plant for every variety as a precaution. This can save space.

However, the method merely shifts the effort:

• Rooting takes space.
• Re-vegging takes time.
• Uncertain cuttings require reserve spots.
• Failures must be factored in.
• The resulting plant requires vegetative space once again.

Monster cropping can replace a mother room, but it is not a guaranteed way to save space or time.

Monster cropping and in-vitro preservation

For long-term, professional genetic preservation, in-vitro cultivation of cannabis is another option. This involves propagating or maintaining small pieces of tissue under sterile laboratory conditions.

In comparison:

Monster cropping

• low technical barrier to entry
• short-term rescue of a flowering phenotype
• higher risk of pests and pathogens
• slow and uneven re-vegging

Classic mother plant

• quick access to vegetative cuttings
• ongoing space and maintenance requirements
• potential for aging and pathogen accumulation

In-vitro cultivation

• very space-efficient long-term preservation
• high demands on sterility and technology
• possibility for low-pathogen propagation
• complex acclimatization

For an unexpected keeper, monster cropping remains the most immediate rescue method. For larger genetic libraries, more structured preservation systems are often more reliable.

Diseases and pests are cloned as well

A cutting is not a sanitized copy. It can carry anything that is present on or in the original plant.

This includes:

• Spider mites
• Thrips
• Powdery mildew
• Botrytis spores
• Fusarium
• Pythium
• Endophytic microorganisms
• Viruses and viroids

Especially relevant is the Hop Latent Viroid, which can spread through vegetative propagation within a clone collection.

Extraordinary genetics are only valuable in the long term if they are also kept healthy. New or rescued clones should therefore be closely monitored and kept separate from existing mother plants.

Monster cropping and sexual stability

A plant with male flowers, anthers, or recurring intersexuality in cannabis should not be kept as a keeper simply because of its aroma.

The clone adopts the same genetic background. If sexual instability was genetically favored, it may recur in later cycles.

Before preserving, distinguish between:

• a single late anther
• severe environmental stress
• early male flowers
• repeated anther formation
• multiple affected siblings
• stable recurrence in clones

Monster cropping can save a phenotype, but it can also preserve undesirable genetic traits.

Does monster cropping work with feminized seeds?

Yes. A photoperiodic plant from feminized cannabis seeds can be rooted as a flowering cutting and revegetated.

The term "feminized" refers to the expected sexual expression, not the ability to be cloned. Crucial factors are:

• photoperiodic behavior
• health
• developmental stage
• genetic stability
• ability to root

A genetically female plant remains genetically female as a clone. Environment or instability can still promote male structures, as with any other clone line.

Does monster cropping work with regular seeds?

Yes. Female photoperiodic plants from regular cannabis seeds can be preserved in the same way.

Regular seeds are particularly interesting for selection and breeding. Monster cropping can become useful if an exceptional female phenotype is noticed late and no backup is available.

Male plants can also be cloned vegetatively in principle. However, the term monster cropping is predominantly used in growing practice for flowering female cuttings.

Does monster cropping work with autoflowers?

For autoflowering seeds, monster cropping in the usual form is not recommended.

Autoflowering plants transition into flowering due to their genetically controlled aging program and cannot be reliably kept in the vegetative phase for a long time by using long days. Furthermore, a cutting retains approximately the developmental age of the original plant.

This means:

• The internal development clock keeps running.
• The cutting must root while flowering progresses.
• There is barely any time for new vegetative growth.
• The clone usually remains small and inefficient.
• A classic re-vegging cannot be reliably triggered.

Autoflowering genetics from specialized breeders like Mephisto Genetics or Night Owl Seeds are therefore usually preserved via seeds and breeding populations, not via monster cropping clones.

How long does monster cropping take?

There is no universal time frame. Even common cannabis cuttings are frequently evaluated in studies after about two to three weeks. A monster crop cutting requires additional time to return to vegetation.

The entire process can include:

• Survival and healing phase
• Formation of initial root primordia
• Development of a viable root system
• Transition symptoms
• Formation of unusual leaves
• Return to normal vegetative growth
• Development of a train-able plant

Depending on the genetics and the flowering stage, several weeks may pass before vigorous vegetative growth occurs.

Monster cropping is therefore not suitable for a schedule where every day must be precisely calculated.

How do you recognize successful rooting?

Visible roots are the clearest signal. Depending on the medium, however, they are not immediately recognizable.

Other indications can include:

• The cutting remains stable and upright.
• New growth points swell.
• Slight resistance is noticeable in the substrate.
• The plant is actively absorbing water again.
• New tissue is developing.
• The leaves remain stable after gradually reducing humidity.

A green cutting is not automatically rooted. Flowering shoots can live off stored reserves for a long time without forming a functional root system.

How do you recognize successful re-vegging?

A successful re-veg is not just shown by the cutting surviving.

Typical signals include:

• new vegetative shoot tips
• single- or three-fingered transition leaves
• subsequently multi-fingered leaves again
• increasing internode development
• visible side shoots
• accelerated growth
• no further dominant flower maturation

Only once leaf and shoot growth is stable and vigorous should the plant be treated like a normal veg clone.

Common problems with monster cropping

The cutting wilts immediately

Possible causes include high transpiration, dry air, damaged cuts, or overly intense lighting.

The stem becomes soft or dark

Possible causes include lack of oxygen, rot, dirty tools, or the medium being too wet for too long.

The cutting stays green but does not form roots

The tissue can survive for a long time without successfully developing adventitious roots. Genetics, development phase, and propagation conditions play a role here.

The plant only forms strange leaves

During re-veg, this is initially normal. The decisive factor is whether vigorous, multi-fingered growth returns later.

Too many thin shoots develop

After successful recovery, the plant can be thinned out and structured using topping, LST, or a net.

Male flowers appear

Stress and genetic susceptibility should be checked. A plant with recurring intersex traits may not be a worthwhile keeper.

Typical mistakes

Common mistakes include:

• viewing monster cropping as a guaranteed yield booster
• cutting a highly senescent shoot too late
• cloning sick or infested plants
• leaving large masses of flowers on the cutting
• keeping the medium constantly waterlogged
• using overly intense lighting
• suddenly dropping humidity too much
• training or repotting too early
• treating unusual re-veg leaves as a deficiency
• viewing every cutting as guaranteed to be genetically valuable
• not taking backup cuttings
• mixing up unlabelled phenotypes
• treating autoflowers like photoperiod plants

Monster cropping rewards patience and close observation. Quick fixes and constantly changing conditions usually do not make the method more successful.

Who is monster cropping suitable for?

The technique is particularly suitable for growers who:

• already have experience with cuttings
• are selecting photoperiod genetics
• want to secure an unexpected keeper
• did not take a previous backup clone
• have enough time for re-veg
• can take multiple cuttings for redundancy
• can control the propagation climate
• can correctly assess unusual transition morphology

It is less suitable for:

• first-time cloning attempts
• tight schedules
• autoflowering plants
• severely sick parent plants
• unresolved pest problems
• plants with significant sexual instability
• setups without a separate vegetative lighting area

Monster cropping as a rescue, not a routine necessity

This method does not have to be the standard for every grow. Taking backup cuttings before flowering ensures genetics are obtained more quickly and predictably.

Monster cropping is particularly valuable when regular planning hasn't taken place:

• An unknown seedling develops exceptional aroma.
• A rare phenotype only shows its quality late.
• A clone-only cut is at risk of being lost.
• The mother plant was accidentally put into flowering.
• Selection needs to continue after evaluating the flowers.

In such cases, the technique can save genetics that would otherwise vanish with the harvest.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about monster cropping

What is monster cropping?

Monster cropping is a propagation technique where cuttings are taken from an already flowering, photoperiodic cannabis plant, rooted, and returned to the vegetative phase under a long-day photoperiod.

Is monster cropping the same as normal cloning?

No. Normal clones are usually taken during the vegetative phase. Monster crop cuttings come from the flowering phase and must additionally re-veg.

Is monster cropping the same as re-vegging?

Monster cropping includes a re-veg phase. In classic re-vegging, the entire original plant is often brought back into the vegetation stage. In monster cropping, this is done with a detached flowering cutting.

Why is it called monster cropping?

The name refers to the unusually bushy and heavily branched growth that some re-vegged flowering cuttings develop.

Is the term scientifically standardized?

No. Monster cropping is a term from the grow community. The individual biological processes – cutting rooting, photoperiod change, and re-vegging – are scientifically describable, but the technique as a whole has hardly been directly studied.

What is the biggest advantage?

The most important advantage is the retrospective preservation of an interesting phenotype when no vegetative backup clone was secured before the start of flowering.

Does monster cropping automatically increase yield?

No. The method can produce a heavily branched architecture. Whether this results in more yield depends on genetics, light, canopy, vegetation time, root space, and cultivation management.

Do flowering cuttings root worse?

They may react slower or more unevenly than vegetative cuttings. The developmental state of the tissue influences adventitious rooting. However, cannabis-specific comparative data on monster cropping is limited.

How long does rooting take?

Standard cannabis cuttings are often monitored for two to three weeks. With monster cropping, a variable-length re-veg phase is added afterwards.

How long does the re-veg take?

This depends heavily on genetics, flowering stage, and conditions. It can take several weeks before normal, vigorous vegetative growth returns.

Why does the plant form single-fingered or twisted leaves?

Such leaves are typical transition forms during the return from reproductive to vegetative development. They are not automatically a deficiency or a mutation.

Which flowering week is best?

There is no scientifically verified universal week. In practice, earlier flowering shoots are usually easier to reverse than highly mature and senescent shoots.

Can monster cropping work with feminized seeds?

Yes. The crucial factor is that the plant is photoperiodic. The feminized seed format does not prevent clonal propagation.

Does it work with regular seeds?

Yes. Female photoperiodic plants from regular seeds can also be preserved as flowering cuttings.

Does monster cropping work with autoflowers?

Not in the usual form. Autoflowers follow an age-dependent flowering program and cannot be reliably returned to a sustained vegetative phase using long-day lighting.

Are rooting hormones needed?

Not strictly, but auxin products can support root formation. The effect is cultivar-dependent, and high dosages are not automatically better.

Does Far-Red light help?

One study found a positive effect in one of two tests with regular cannabis cuttings. This is no evidence that Far-Red is necessary or universally effective for monster cropping.

Can a monster-cropped plant become a mother plant?

Yes. It should first fully re-veg, grow normally again, and be checked for health and sexual stability.

Does the genetics remain identical?

The clone has the same genotype as the parent plant. Environment, developmental phase, and health status can still influence the visible phenotype.

Are aroma and cannabinoid profile preserved?

The genetic potential is preserved. The actual expression in the next run will again depend on light, climate, nutrient supply, harvest time, and post-harvest.

Should you take multiple cuttings?

Yes. Since the method is less predictable than normal cloning, several clearly labeled cuttings increase the chance of successfully securing the genetics.

Conclusion

Monster cropping is best understood as an advanced rescue and propagation technique. A flowering cutting is rooted and subsequently led back into vegetative development under long-day conditions. This allows a specific phenotype to be preserved even if no backup clone was taken before flowering.

The method can produce unusually branched plants and can be interesting for SCROG or individual architecture work. However, no guaranteed yield advantage can be derived from it. Flowering cuttings often require more time, react differently based on genetics, and undergo a noticeable transition phase during re-veg.

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