The Main-Lining Thread

Hi all, loving the thread! Wealth of knowledge to be taken in here. So I've been growing my first 4 mainlines over the past month or so very slowly under a little 50w spotlight while I set the new room up, I have topped to 16 tops and obviously cleaned all lower nodes and leaves along the way but what should I do about the nodes from now on? I am happy at 16 tops a plant and plan to flip them as soon as I'm happy height wise, but what about the new nodes that will grow on my 16 tops that will stretch up as I let the plants gain size before flip? Should I leave the plant as it is now that I'm at 16 tops and just let it branch out from there or should I trim all the branches that grow at node points now up my 16 tops? Sorry for the rambling format of the message I'm using an extremely old tablet to write this and its an absolute nightmare to use so I'm trying to write this as fast as possible, I will be using standard 600w hps\mh in a few days when they arrive and then plants are in auto-pots in bio nova all mix soil and using bio nova super soil nutes in a 4x4 tent, any help or input would really be appreciated as I plant to flip pretty soon. Thanks again for the thread guys, awesome!IMG-20200325-WA0001.jpgIMG-20200325-WA0000.jpg
 
Smokerontheroof said:
Hi all, loving the thread! Wealth of knowledge to be taken in here. So I've been growing my first 4 mainlines over the past month or so very slowly under a little 50w spotlight while I set the new room up, I have topped to 16 tops and obviously cleaned all lower nodes and leaves along the way but what should I do about the nodes from now on? I am happy at 16 tops a plant and plan to flip them as soon as I'm happy height wise, but what about the new nodes that will grow on my 16 tops that will stretch up as I let the plants gain size before flip? Should I leave the plant as it is now that I'm at 16 tops and just let it branch out from there or should I trim all the branches that grow at node points now up my 16 tops? Sorry for the rambling format of the message I'm using an extremely old tablet to write this and its an absolute nightmare to use so I'm trying to write this as fast as possible, I will be using standard 600w hps\mh in a few days when they arrive and then plants are in auto-pots in bio nova all mix soil and using bio nova super soil nutes in a 4x4 tent, any help or input would really be appreciated as I plant to flip pretty soon. Thanks again for the thread guys, awesome!View attachment 4513738View attachment 4513737
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Very nice! You will likely defoliate at least once in veg and once in flower. Those will be good times to clean up your undergrowth to minimize any side branching or larfy bud sites.

I would wait until about a week prior to flip to do the first defoliation and somewhere in the 2nd-3rd week of flower to do the final defoliation.

Do not over prune your fan leaves, take just enough to get light to some of your lower bud sites on the main branches. Once you take them off, they can’t be put back on and by the 2nd-3rd week if flower you will not be growing any new fan leaves so really prune lightly at the final defoliation. Focus more on getting those lower branches and bud sites removed.

I got really creative with my pruning this go around and felt comfortable leaving my best secondary bud sites as you can see by my example.
 

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FredFlintstoner0420 said:
Very nice! You will likely defoliate at least once in veg and once in flower. Those will be good times to clean up your undergrowth to minimize any side branching or larfy bud sites.

I would wait until about a week prior to flip to do the first defoliation and somewhere in the 2nd-3rd week of flower to do the final defoliation.

Do not over prune your fan leaves, take just enough to get light to some of your lower bud sites on the main branches. Once you take them off, they can’t be put back on and by the 2nd-3rd week if flower you will not be growing any new fan leaves so really prune lightly at the final defoliation. Focus more on getting those lower branches and bud sites removed.

I got really creative with my pruning this go around and felt comfortable leaving my best secondary bud sites as you can see by my example.
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Thanks Fred, and kudos on the amazing plants you just shared, those are beauty's!! Can I ask is that one plant in the bottom centre pot/tomato cage? Fine specimens you should be proud!

I've done quite a few grows before but I'm new to the whole mainline thing, I used to share an 8x4 with a friend
and we would pull around 40-45oz but with around 30-40 percent small larfy stuff, I want to try and pull a minimum of 20oz of premium nug now that I'm on my own in a 4x4.

The reason I ask about leaving side branches on my 16 main branches is I've read a lot about every top having to be the exact same distance from the mainline for maximum efficiency. Plus I do want some really big swole buds so mains all the way sounds ideal :)

So you recommend trimming all branches/nodes that grow below my 16 tops (leaving fan leaves) then do a final defoliation after 2-3 weeks tidying everything up and removing whatever fan leaves block bud sites? I'm fine in terms of trimming fan leaves to allow bud sites more light as I used to grow scrog, difference being in scrog I didn't have to ask people what to trim, if it made the canopy it made the canopy! I just want to pull weed from plants like I see in your pics and others on here, not larfy, leafy, takes a day to trim a plant weed. Can't handle trimming another skimpy ass plant

Your pruning is really on point so I'll certainly take on board what your telling me.
How long had those plants above been in veg for? And how much did those yield if you can remember? Really nice plants.

My strains are:

1 ayahuasca purple
1 peyote cookies
2 amnesia og

Will be running 600w in a 4x4 with adequate airflow
4 15 litre auto-pots
Nutes and soil mentioned in post above
Pk13/14 and plagron green sensation in flower
Ph and ec kept in check daily

My main goal is to try and produce a minimum of 20oz of equally sized equally potent bud. How do-able is this with my info and plant state as of now? I know this depends on many factors but my environment is good I don't use c02 and my genetics are barney's, wether that's good or not time will tell..

Thanks again for the input Fred, greatly appreciated!
 
Thanks man. Yes the info on the defoliation is spot on from your interpretation of my notes.

With 16 colas per plant you might find yourself pretty close to your goal, if not over goal.

Make sure you have some tomato cage or bracing system in place as heavy colas as thick as your entire forearms might want to flop over like a donkey dick lol.

The plant in my last picture is a perfectly symmetrical 8 top with a flat secondary canopy, legs shaved below that. There are a couple other plants in that 4x4, all Go Time by Jinxproof.

Your lighting and specs all sound dialed in for get you near or over 20 zips dried weight.

I’m hoping to be between 12-15 on my final weight but have changed so many variables from my last grows that this grow is almost 100% relearning experience after taking 3 years off.

I’ll keep sharing, helping, and learning to payback all the growers before me who taught me all this stuff.

Cheers!
 
FredFlintstoner0420 said:
Thanks man. Yes the info on the defoliation is spot on from your interpretation of my notes.

With 16 colas per plant you might find yourself pretty close to your goal, if not over goal.

Make sure you have some tomato cage or bracing system in place as heavy colas as thick as your entire forearms might want to flop over like a donkey dick lol.

The plant in my last picture is a perfectly symmetrical 8 top with a flat secondary canopy, legs shaved below that. There are a couple other plants in that 4x4, all Go Time by Jinxproof.

Your lighting and specs all sound dialed in for get you near or over 20 zips dried weight.

I’m hoping to be between 12-15 on my final weight but have changed so many variables from my last grows that this grow is almost 100% relearning experience after taking 3 years off.

I’ll keep sharing, helping, and learning to payback all the growers before me who taught me all this stuff.

Cheers!
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I really hope so brother!!

Tomato cages look great i really need to get me some, for now I have a scrog net I will put in for support and spacing colas out, tomato cage defo on the list tho!

Its great what you've done with that plant your really getting the most out of her, lovely to see.

I eventually got the 600 on them today they really seem to be loving it, drank a ton!

Shall keep ya updated and we will see if I make my marker!!

Happy gardening Fred
 
Hi all,

So I strapped my 4 babys down again today, and at 16 tops there so low im considering taking them to 32 tops. I would definitely get away with taking them to 32 height wise, probably even 64 if I wanted, there literally just a few inches off the rim of the pots.

Now I know the more tops I produce the smaller each cola will be on each top but would I benefit yield wise taking them to 32?

It would certainly fill my canopy a lot better therefore making better use of the light spread so in theory I should pull more grams per watt, right?

Im having trouble posting a pic, don't know why its a brand new s20! Pics of plants are a few posts above.

Anyone with experience of 32 tops I would greatly appreciate any input.

Cheers and happy gardening all!
 
I'd say 32 is a good number for 4x4, assuming you have a good light, 600w hps will be bare minimum. You will completely fill your tent at that size, make sure you can fit a baby fan below for air circulation.
 
a2lute said:
I'd say 32 is a good number for 4x4, assuming you have a good light, 600w hps will be bare minimum. You will completely fill your tent at that size, make sure you can fit a baby fan below for air circulation.
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I agree I wouldn’t go higher as 32 or more would work out better for an outdoor grow, but if you got the room, go for it! Personally I’ve seen such good results at 8 that I’ve never wanted to try 16. Plus the added veg time is something I wouldn’t want to keep dealing with. But seriously, go for it and post pictures along the way, I’d love to see the results!
 
Thanks for the input guys, yeah I was just getting carried away im gonna stick at 16, like you guys mentioned im only in a 4x4 under a 600w barn reflector.

We've all been there, you light one up at night and have all these amazing ideas..

Looks like I'm just waiting til they look thick and tall enough for the flip now, hopefully another week under the 600 should do it.

Was giving them a last strapping down into a better position last night and snapped a couple of mains :( i did this previously on one of the plants and lost half and had to start her again, I've taped them back up but if they don't pull through they will cost me about 8 heads each :( fingers crossed they pull through!

Happy gardening all!!
 
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Hi guys sorry to hijack the thread but need a little more help regarding side branching.

Looking to flip lights in a few days and want to be sure as to what I'm keeping and what I'm chopping.

Some plants have major side branching and others have minimal and I'm unsure just exactly how much side branching to remove on those plants without taking too much off.

I want those fat juicy nugs as mentioned before so should I just quit being a pussy and remove every side branch my plants have?

I know we've been over this but I'm still struggling to determine between what are side branches and what are my bud growth sites..

How far up the plant should I go with removal of side branches?

Really struggling here with these plants, the other 2 are fine they literally have no side branching.

Any help appreciated guys, cheers.
 

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Smokerontheroof said:
Hi guys sorry to hijack the thread but need a little more help regarding side branching.

Looking to flip lights in a few days and want to be sure as to what I'm keeping and what I'm chopping.

Some plants have major side branching and others have minimal and I'm unsure just exactly how much side branching to remove on those plants without taking too much off.

I want those fat juicy nugs as mentioned before so should I just quit being a pussy and remove every side branch my plants have?

I know we've been over this but I'm still struggling to determine between what are side branches and what are my bud growth sites..

How far up the plant should I go with removal of side branches?

Really struggling here with these plants, the other 2 are fine they literally have no side branching.

Any help appreciated guys, cheers.
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I’d get rid of all that below your 8 tops. You’re going to grow through week 2-3 of flower and could easily double height.

All those super long side branches would make beautiful clones!

Keep the 8 tops and all the close short nodes below them.All the super long shit should go. Trust me.
 
FredFlintstoner0420 said:
I’d get rid of all that below your 8 tops. You’re going to grow through week 2-3 of flower and could easily double height.

All those super long side branches would make beautiful clones!

Keep the 8 tops and all the close short nodes below them.All the super long shit should go. Trust me.
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Thanks Fred I was really hoping you would drop in!!

Yeah I was thinking the same I just wanted to be super sure before I go and butcher them.

I'm gonna jump in tomorrow and get it all off.

In terms of flipping the lights I was thinking about doing it in a couple more days. What do you think?

I was thinking wait until they are just about touching the net then allow them to grow through during the stretch letting me tie them evenly apart..

Really excited to get them flipped and obviously with things being how thing are right now I ain't got much else to do to fill my time!!

Happy gardening all and thanks again Fred.
 
Smokerontheroof said:
Thanks Fred I was really hoping you would drop in!!

Yeah I was thinking the same I just wanted to be super sure before I go and butcher them.

I'm gonna jump in tomorrow and get it all off.

In terms of flipping the lights I was thinking about doing it in a couple more days. What do you think?

I was thinking wait until they are just about touching the net then allow them to grow through during the stretch letting me tie them evenly apart..

Really excited to get them flipped and obviously with things being how thing are right now I ain't got much else to do to fill my time!!

Happy gardening all and thanks again Fred.
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Give them 3-5 days after that heavy defoliation before flipping. Maybe a week to give them the time you need for the extra height you need.
 
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