Fimming & Topping

Obi Wan;2256507 said:

BEATEO;2256132 said:

I got the seeds from Herbies (not sure if that's the breeder or just the seller?), if that's not the breeder then I don't know?

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Herbies is the retailer/seller. They carry a selection of seeds from many breeders.

Breeder specific information can help you plan how to grow their strain with optimal results.

Some breeders strains respond well to different growing environments and techniques. Some plants of similar types may or may not:

• like to be topped or fim'd
• prefer cooler or warmer temps
• be more or less mold and disease resistant
• prefer indoor or outdoor environment
• thrive with weak or strong nutrient levels
• stay short or grow tall
• many more variables ...

You can manage a successful grow without breeder information by following some general best practices for cannabis, learning to read your plant's needs and keeping a few notes to refer to.

BEATEO;2256132 said:

I don't know about top or fim either?

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Topping is cutting away all growth above a given a node.

BEATEO;2256132 said:

I just looked up "fim" and still have no idea what the hell that even means?

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F*ck I Missed!

From the top of a branch FIM is when you cut some new foliage while topping.
- I hope I explained that correctly

You can put the top of a topped plant into a clone setup. I don't think FIM remains would be viable?

Sometimes a picture can explain it better

Hieroglyphe;1411227 said:

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BEATEO;2256132 said:

I need to look harder I guess because everything I looked at so far told everything about fim except what it actually is! lol There's also something about bending the tops that might be interesting.. LST, Low Stress Training?

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LST would be a gentle bend. Some also bend branches to a sharp 90 degree bend called Super Cropping which is a high stress technique.

BEATEO;2256132 said:

The guy that used the LST said that topping and fim put a lot of stress on a plant??

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Yes it can. With a photosensitive strain it can be given extra time to recover by extending the veg cycle by a week or two.

With autoflower strains you may simply lose a week or two of growth time.

BEATEO;2256132 said:

I read one opinion that said more colas don't equal more weed... just more buds that are smaller... overall the same amount of pot. I don't know what to believe. What have you had luck doing?

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This is where breeder specific information becomes extremely valuable. Some plants love to be topped. Some don't. There is a point of diminishing returns even with the ones that can tolerate it.

BEATEO;2256132 said:

Maybe some others can chime in too... I'll look at searches and other journals in the mean time. Is the idea to get multiple colas?

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Topping the main stem doesn't necessarily mean that the two new stems will produce more than the single one. Topping allows the side branches to catch up to the top of the canopy creating a bushier plant (rather than a tall one) and provides more light to more bud sights for an indoor grow.

BEATEO;2256132 said:

How tall should I try to grow my girls before flowering?

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Depending on the strain, the plant may grow another 60% or more after switch to flower. Don't forget to calculate headroom for lights and ventilation above the canopy.

/Obi Wan

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