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A yield-increasing technique. Many variations. The point is to soften up the hard outer portion of the stalk without damaging the delicate parts of the stalk. This technique requires a little finesse. One false move and you can mangle the plant pretty good. Hopefully nobody is popping firecrackers unexpectedly right next to you when you do this. I work the stem between my thumb and forefinger gently until I feel the stem soften slightly. Breaking the various structures of a healthy plant will cause it to quickly rebuild those nutrient-passing structures into a more vigorous network. Result - more nutrients distributed throughout the plant thus bigger yield.
