# My Head Is Spinning - Newbie **URL:** \ **Category:** Grow Cycle\ **Tags:** autoflower, outdoor-grow\ **Created:** [July 16, 2022, 4:21pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273 "2022-07-16T16:21:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HotAndHumid](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/hotandhumid/32/735334_2.png) [@HotAndHumid](https://ilgmforum.com/u/HotAndHumid)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 4:21pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/1 "2022-07-16T16:21:01Z")
Yes, my head is spinning but not from the weed. Being a first time single plant grower, there is so much to learn. My plant is a Do-si-do autoflower. I have 5 sets of leaves (plus a few others). About 8” tall. Planted in coco with pearlite. Outdoor grow. My question is regarding pruning or topping to keep it compact. Do I need to pinch off some? When? How much? And do I need to eventually stake the branches to make the plant spread? (When branches form) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/5/6/e/56e439f0f9730652eb2f4b8c8c8d55c8daaf5856.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ThermoNukePanda](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/thermonukepanda/32/503932_2.png) [@ThermoNukePanda](https://ilgmforum.com/u/ThermoNukePanda)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/2 "2022-07-16T16:25:22Z")
I like to wait till at least the 4th or 5th set of nodes before i pinch or cut to top them myself! Looking purty! Keep up the great work! ---
**Author:** ![6stringT](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/6stringt/32/697242_2.png) [@6stringT](https://ilgmforum.com/u/6stringT)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/3 "2022-07-16T21:11:37Z")
Some will warn against topping autos, but you can: If the plant is otherwise healthy. If you start soon as possible (I think 4th node). My NLights auto started flowering on day 22 from sprout. Also if you leave about 1/2 “ or so so it won’t want to split. ---
**Author:** ![Evilmendo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Evilmendo](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Evilmendo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:25pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/4 "2022-07-16T21:25:48Z")
I agree autos can be very touchy to trimming because of there Accelerated rate of growth and Concentrate on growing only and giving it unwanted stress can result in it not recovering properly or at all. Not saying you can’t and get f you do … do it slow little by little. ---
**Author:** ![GrowingIs4Everyone](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/growingis4everyone/32/835612_2.png) [@GrowingIs4Everyone](https://ilgmforum.com/u/GrowingIs4Everyone)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/5 "2022-07-16T21:32:21Z")
I’m a beginner as well and only did LST as I was scared of stunting it and it turned out great. ![Screenshot_20220716-172954](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/f/a/6/fa678dd2490100d9b26a185e31d0a9eedbbd1d33.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![HotAndHumid](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/hotandhumid/32/735334_2.png) [@HotAndHumid](https://ilgmforum.com/u/HotAndHumid)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/6 "2022-07-16T21:32:31Z")
I think I’ll leave it as is for my first grow. Maybe next year I can have a few plants and experiment a little. Thanks for the replies ---
**Author:** ![kellydans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/kellydans/32/580751_2.png) [@kellydans](https://ilgmforum.com/u/kellydans)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/7 "2022-07-16T21:33:51Z")
Keep in mind auto’s usually start flowering between 4 to7 weeks. If you choose to top needs to happen around 5 nodes. Good luck ✌👍 ---
**Author:** ![RoyMustang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3da27b/32.png) [@RoyMustang](https://ilgmforum.com/u/RoyMustang)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:53pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/8 "2022-07-16T21:53:49Z")
In my limited experience (also first time) I did some lst to my autos and it’s working well. Basically bend it over and tie it down, tuck leaves to expose the bud sites. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/3/1/f/31fe7df6e6b837cf869e873dda95825739042cb3.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Smo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@Smo](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Smo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/9 "2022-07-16T22:49:42Z")
Absolutely beautiful plant! I grew some grand dady purple s. Annd they didn’t get but maybe 1’6" high at best. I had also gew mine in the ground. ---
**Author:** ![Beck](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/beck/32/524874_2.png) [@Beck](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Beck)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/10 "2022-07-16T23:07:43Z")
Welcome to the community @Smo 💚 ---
**Author:** ![GrowingIs4Everyone](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/growingis4everyone/32/835612_2.png) [@GrowingIs4Everyone](https://ilgmforum.com/u/GrowingIs4Everyone)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 11:12pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/my-head-is-spinning-newbie/90273/11 "2022-07-16T23:12:28Z")
Thanks and I’m pretty sure I’ve had luck on my side throughout this grow 😂