Crookedfinger
New Member
My plants are 5 weeks old and seem to be growing well. When is a good safe time to top them?
When is it safe to top a plant?
- Thread starter Crookedfinger
- Start date
quietonthe401
New Member
What set of branches are you on?
quietonthe401
New Member
By 5 nodes your seedling should have the full 7 blades on each leaf, so I guess the plant is mature. 1-3-5-7-7-7, so Ive seen. And topping is best done as early as you can, on a healthy plant.
Julie Gardener
New Member
You should top your plant anytime between when the 3rd & 5th set of leaves develop. Every plant strain reacts differently to topping, so when first starting off with a new strain, or if you have never topped a plant before, experiment. Try topping at different times, and different quantities.
To play it safe, node 5...
To play it safe, node 5...
L
Ludacris
Guest
Thew1sest
New Member
At least 10+ nodes.
LUDA.
I agree you could do it on 5-6 node at least on a healthy plant, 10 would be fine too, but topping better to do young as possible, while still being healthy
L
Ludacris
Guest
Steve McStoferson
New Member
I top them when the secondary branches begin to form. Right when I see there are some coming from the top, off it goes.
Thew1sest
New Member
Steve McStoferson
New Member
that goes for fimming too, i top the main top once, then I fim the rest of the main shoots to keep the canopy even and expanding
quietonthe401
New Member
When FIM'g I found its better to err on the side of topping, cause if you don't take enough, nothing happens, the veg stretch gets slowed down, thats it. Single main stem comes back. . (if the plant has to be traumatized, might as well get something out of it)IMHO
Steve McStoferson
New Member
yeah my fims are usually tops, just done with my fingers instead of a razor 
never got 4 tops from a fim, I got 3 once, but thats it
never got 4 tops from a fim, I got 3 once, but thats it
L
Ludacris
Guest
TOPPING TECHNIQUE TO GROW 2 OR 4 MAIN COLA'S.
Selecting the point for topping to get 4 main colas.
To get 4 main colas, let your seedling or cutting (clone) grow to about 5-6 nodes and pinch out (cut) the stem just above the 2nd true node. The node where the cotyledons attach doesn't count. The result will be a redistribution of the auxins and other hormones that normally collect in the tissue of the terminal leader's tip. These hormones will be redistributed to dormant buds that reside in the nodal axis where the leaf petiole attaches to the "trunk", below the cut. The new foliar output response will be quick (within 24 hrs., see photo below) if you have a healthy growing seedling and will be your future main colas - 4 instead of the usual 1.
Here's a photo of the same plant about 8 weeks into flowering. The plant is about 42" tall, has 4 main colas with an abundance of large, healthy fan leaves.
Notice how the weight of the heavy colas is naturally pulling them apart, which opens the plant up so that light can penetrate the interior of the canopy. This is the same principle used by fruit orchard managers who create an open vase profile for their trees in order to increase production. This profile also has a side benefit of providing good interior air movement which reduces fungal/rot pressures.
(by uncle ben).
CHRIS.
Selecting the point for topping to get 4 main colas.
To get 4 main colas, let your seedling or cutting (clone) grow to about 5-6 nodes and pinch out (cut) the stem just above the 2nd true node. The node where the cotyledons attach doesn't count. The result will be a redistribution of the auxins and other hormones that normally collect in the tissue of the terminal leader's tip. These hormones will be redistributed to dormant buds that reside in the nodal axis where the leaf petiole attaches to the "trunk", below the cut. The new foliar output response will be quick (within 24 hrs., see photo below) if you have a healthy growing seedling and will be your future main colas - 4 instead of the usual 1.
Here's a photo of the same plant about 8 weeks into flowering. The plant is about 42" tall, has 4 main colas with an abundance of large, healthy fan leaves.
Notice how the weight of the heavy colas is naturally pulling them apart, which opens the plant up so that light can penetrate the interior of the canopy. This is the same principle used by fruit orchard managers who create an open vase profile for their trees in order to increase production. This profile also has a side benefit of providing good interior air movement which reduces fungal/rot pressures.
(by uncle ben).
CHRIS.
medme
New Member
you keep sharing my secrets..... thanks....
i top with loud music,,, so i can't hear the screaming!!!!!!
i top with loud music,,, so i can't hear the screaming!!!!!!
FirstGrowGod
New Member
That's so tragic, you'll make me never fimm again.
I've seen topping done as early as the second node which helps in sturdiness when it gets taller or when its weighed down by buds.
+repFirstGrowGod
New Member
*Branches farthest from the light don't produce as much
Side lighting FTW
Air circulation underneath on the other hand is a very good idea
