Is it time to start topping?

DrDukePHD

Well-Known Member
Pics attached, is it time to start? (Day #19)

Side note... what is the best tutorial on "how to" do topping. It's still a bit of a mystery to me. Just a link to your favorite resource, how you learned. I don't want anyone to have to write a full tutorial in here.

Thanks!
& Love
 

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CaliRootz88

Well-Known Member
Me personally I only top when the geno type is stretchy. I would let them get double their current height and start bending upon branches maybe even the main over and let the lowers catch up. Topping is one of many tools in the arsenal of training but isn’t always a requirement. You could focus on growth and lst first to not slow the growing. Either way it’s entirely on what you feel is best. No right or wrong.
 

Fishmon

Well-Known Member
I am in the topping camp. That one looks like it's almost ready. You may want to wait until the uppermost central stalk is slightly more defined. A few more days. Snip the stalk below the new growth cluster while being mindful to avoid damaging the small shoots beneath and to either side of the main stalk you are cutting. They will themselves become main branches in short order and the process can be repeated on each of those after they develop. i.e. that one will become two, next two will become four, etc. Apologies for my lack of scientific phraseology. Hope it makes sense. This is stressful to the plant I understand but I haven't ever had any issues. It will tend to keep it shorter and bushier and will increase main cola count. Note. This would only be for a photoperiod. Not recommended for autos.
 

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
I'll fold those tiny top leaves down out of the way then just snip out that tiny bit in the middle to do a FIM. Why have buggered up looking leaves on top.

FIMMing_Vs_Topping_comparison.jpg

:peace:
 
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HydroKid239

Well-Known Member
You could. My preference is to let them get to about the 7th node & chop off the top 4 & bottom node. Lst the remaining 2 nodes at 90 degrees. Towards the edges of the pot.
I also twist the branches to make them pop.

Big thing to remember is to leave yourself a nice nub below the cut. Maybe an inch long is doable. It will shrink as the base gets thicker. This will help prevent splitting the stems.
 

twentyeight.threefive

Well-Known Member
Pics attached, is it time to start? (Day #19)

Side note... what is the best tutorial on "how to" do topping. It's still a bit of a mystery to me. Just a link to your favorite resource, how you learned. I don't want anyone to have to write a full tutorial in here.

Thanks!
& Love
I’d let them a bit taller first. Then cut the top off. Bigger and healthier plants will handle it better than smaller/younger plants or unhealthy ones.
 

Delps8

Well-Known Member
This will help prevent splitting the stems.
You mean like this? :-)

I cut it a little close - didn't know it at the time. A day or two later, I was looking at the plant and "Oh, shit!". Nothing I could do but hope. It turned out OK, per the picture, but I wasn't too pleased with myself. Better to leave it a little long that a little short!

IMG_7051.jpeg
 
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