To top or not to top?

[FinestKind]

Hey all... I am growing some Early Misty outdoors, which is a heavily Indica-dominant strain, that doesn't show a lot of side branching. Given this, I am wondering if it is worth topping, or if I should just grow one main top cola? Thanks for the input!

 

[cheecha07]

IMO just pinch the main cola and those few side branches should catch up and give you 5 tops , just be careful dont ruin the top. I think topping should only be done when cloning.

 

[bcbud]

Check out my pics and see what you can do with topping--(VI BUSH) G L WITH IT

 

[D.S. Toker. MD]

I wouldnt top it. Tie the growing tip back towards itself and then lean it as it grows and that will have a better effect than if you top the plant. Topping increases foilage density which is how we get mouldy plants. It also creates a weak branch fork that will split away each direction at the topping location and if done later in the season it can delay flowering for a week or more.. As the plant leans and the lateral branches start lining up on the main stem, pointing towards the sun, then cut the tip of those lateral branches. More weed, less mould.

 

[FinestKind]

I wouldnt top it. Tie the growing tip back towards itself and then lean it as it grows and that will have a better effect than if you top the plant. Topping increases foilage density which is how we get mouldy plants. It also creates a weak branch fork that will split away each direction at the topping location and if done later in the season it can delay flowering for a week or more.. As the plant leans and the lateral branches start lining up on the main stem, pointing towards the sun, then cut the tip of those lateral branches. More weed, less mould.

Okay, I'm following you right until the end, where you say "then cut the tip of those lateral branches." When are you saying this should be done? So you are saying, rather than topping, the laterals should, in essence, be topped?

I understand the tying of the top cola, as I do this indoors with my taller Sativa strains, but I'm honestly not sure if it can even be done with this strain... the things are built like brick shit-houses.

FK

 

[Saul Goodman]

If you have more than one plant of that strain i would top a few and let a few grow normal and see what you get. Some strains will do better with topping, others may not so much.

 

[THC123]

i always top outdoors they have a long grow period and toppping gives you more yield and more buds , smalle buds but more

and that is a plus point concerning budrot , best is to top and train

i keep topping every branch each 5th node untill 21st of june(summer solstice)

i don't do this with guerillia plants as they will ned support when topped , i only top thos once or twice

 

[FinestKind]

Thanks all for your input, Saul I think I'll take your advice and top 1/2 and leave the other 1/2 untopped (there are only 6 total anyway)... I think. Although the poll seems to be leaning towards "top 'em"... well, I'll start with 3 anyway. Thanks again...

THC123, that's a good technique, I think I'll give that one a try too

FK

 

[chefboy6969]

topping first(after 4th or 5 th node is fully grown) or fimming (if you can get it too work)
THEN
LST, low stress training so you get a crazy massive bush..I have gotten 14 main cola's from my biggest plant so far(outdoors), with the long summer days you get awesome veg, so the plants go crazy big
oh and you top more than once, i usually top 3 times, i stop cutting 4-5 weeks before the plant is gonna flower..just be careful not to top TOO MUCH
peace
Chefboy