I thought I'd create a little blog on the method I use to top my plants. It has different names depending on where you're from & I didn't even have a name for it prior to joining this site. The most popular names are Soft Topping & Tipping 
Right, lets get down to business, the idea behind this technique is to increase your tops, be this just the top of your plant or the end of your branches. Once topped, instead of growing as one shoot you will get two
I like to do it when the new shoot is quite small but big enough for my fat fingers to get hold of it. What I do is support the branch at the back with my index & middle finger whilst gently bending the new shoot towards me and then pinching it gently against the branch between my thumb & index finger. You will hear & feel a little pop as the new shoot snaps off. The scar left behind is tiny so heals really quickly and as no tools are used it gives less chance of infection
I have included some pictures to show the technique below
Here is the new shoot I wish to remove
I gently bend it back
Then I gently pinch it until it pops
Look at the tiny scar
This is all that's removed
Right, lets get down to business, the idea behind this technique is to increase your tops, be this just the top of your plant or the end of your branches. Once topped, instead of growing as one shoot you will get two
I like to do it when the new shoot is quite small but big enough for my fat fingers to get hold of it. What I do is support the branch at the back with my index & middle finger whilst gently bending the new shoot towards me and then pinching it gently against the branch between my thumb & index finger. You will hear & feel a little pop as the new shoot snaps off. The scar left behind is tiny so heals really quickly and as no tools are used it gives less chance of infection
I have included some pictures to show the technique below
Here is the new shoot I wish to remove
I gently bend it back
Then I gently pinch it until it pops
Look at the tiny scar
This is all that's removed
