I’m attempting to mainline my plants for the first time. I’m second guessing my nodes. Can anyone tell me if the purple dot is my 3rd node?
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Yes its the 3rd node 
Lol those nodes are definitely close together and hard to count. I like to use the third node on my manifolds but it’s not that important so if you are off by 1 or 2 it won’t hurt it. I do believe it is the 3rd though
You might have let it get to big to cut down that low. That part of the stem is probably already woody and hollow, how big is the plant I’d hate for you to lose the plant I normally allow em to get to the 5th or 6th and cut down to the 3rd
@MeEasy yeah those 2 nodes being so close threw me off. I waited because I read to wait until you 5-8 nodes. If my counts are right, my newest node is my 7th. She’s only 25days old. Do you still think I should not do it now?
It looks much smaller when you backed away, the stem is pretty thick but you should be able to maybe since it’s not very tall just top it at a higher node. Feel the stem and if it’s still kinda soft I think it would be ok even if it’s like the 6th node you top it at and just clean all the growth from there down like if it was the 3rd and use that node to build the manifold. Hope this made sense to you
Here’s an example 2nd one just to show the different ones most are 3rd node can’t remember which 1 but 1 was growing faster and more distance between nodes so I cut it at a different node to make it the same height as the other ones. These all ended up being 8 top
So at how many days do you usually start mainlining? I see you’re using soil as well, does it take long for the plant to recover? Also what do you have in your drip pans?
Soil is all organic living. They are different times because of the normal stuff strain, sick, etc. But if you get them just right they don’t even slow down between toppings and I’ve switched to flower in as short as 45 days from sprouts. This round was over two months of veg, but I’ve had two surgeries in that time and almost lost em once because I didn’t water for 10 days. I top once they get their 6th node and I do it between 3rd n 4th which is the same for the branches and I keep the 1st and 3rd node on the branches. Those are cedar pickets from an old fence i tore down last summer, I ripped them in half and painted them to seal them I replace em after each grow to avoid mold. I put em in there after getting mold because the fabric pots were sitting in the trays. Plus it helps keep the plants off the cold floor, it’s winter here.
This is the same plants today I just did a trim I would have normally done a day or two before switching to flower (done 1/11) but again I’ve had two surgeries since Thanksgiving so my timing is off
Right away once 3rd forth node shows cut down to second and spit the stalk growth to right and left and pin down ur a lil far past the time to be wanting to cut that low your gonna wanna start much earlier in plant life its still do able but if your not firmiliar with super cropping you should practice that on this plant before you throw 3 or 4 training techniques
I appreciate the help guys. This is my first grow in general. I’ll look into super cropping
You can still top your plant, you don’t have to do a manifold. I would top it and start tying down the branches to spread them out from each other and letting them grow up you will still end up with multiple tops and a good short fat plant. Look at the LST not the entire plant being pulled down but the individual branches… hope this helps you out, good luck
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