Topping the plant

My plants have 5 sets of leaves is that the proper time to top it so it’ll start branching out

6 Likes

I top mine at 4 sets but I’m sure 5 is ok too.

3 Likes

Pics we will be able to get you a better answer 5sets of leaves are different to some people

1 Like

4 Likes

Topping is a matter of preference. Some will top earlier for the main line technique, while others don’t top at all and instead LST by bending the plant over. Topping halts the vertical growth of the main stem so the branches form and become the dominant growth. FIM’ing allows for the vertical growth to continue while promoting the branching to be favored. Topping will slow the growth of the plant in any case.

4 Likes

You’re good to top now if you want :v::bear:

7 Likes

So it’s better to let them grow my tent is 6.5 ft tall and just trim the shade leaves off to give more energy to the buds when they start? So when they start flowering then go to 12/12 correct? Thanks for your help

2 Likes

Ultimately you want to spread the plant to cover the footprint of the light to maximize its utilization. If you grow thin and tall the sides of the plant will be farther away from the light than the top. The flatter and wider you can make the plant the better the yield will be. As indicated by @MattyBear you could start this process now or at any time depending on the technique you want to use, but your goal is to spread and flatten the plant out.

6 Likes

Right on man I’m just not sure if I should wait till they get a little bigger or if it’ll make them spread out now what’s thanks for your info

3 Likes

Alright they aren’t very tall yet but you can’t see the sides of the pots very much and they are pretty full but I will take your advise into consideration

1 Like

Can only learn by doing. I’ve topped this early with good results. 36 inches in Diameter

7 Likes

HOLY SHIT!!!that’s nice not sure if 6 plants in a 5x5 will fit, but might try it

3 Likes

@Ford12 Check this out :sunglasses::facepunch:

Increase your yield up to 40% with pruning techniques


Get the full article here…:arrow_left:

1 Like

You can do six in a 5x5 no problem. They are photoperiod plants? Just need to manage timing for the flip to flower - i.e. how long to let them veg.

This is 8 plants in a 4x4 - with around 2/3rds of the tent actually full. I could’ve fit two or three more in there this size, I think.

4 Likes

Oh way cool they look really nice thanks for the advice I will give it a shot

2 Likes

By the way how long does the veg state take? I am relatively new with the indoor not quite sure so they are right now like 17 days old

2 Likes

I will add that if you choose to top. it will help to keep your canopy a little more level to help you with height. I didn’t see what lights you are using. Now hopefully bog is not posting the same :grin:

3 Likes

Well, that depends on how they continue to grow, but I’d say for your situation, with those six plants pictured above in a 5x5 tent, you can veg for at least two more weeks, but probably longer.

Essentially, once you flip the plants to a flower light period (12/12), they will begin to grow in earnest. This period is referred to as “the stretch” or the “transition.” The conventional wisdom is that during the stretch your plants will “double in size.” I don’t like that as a description… to me it’s more like they will quadruple in volume. Meaning they will not just grow taller, but also bigger around (usually with most hybrids it seems, anyway). So with more plants, you especially need to account for how big around the plants will become.

First things first - do you have enough light to adequately flower the whole tent? Sorry to ask, but want to make sure. If so, I would spread the plants out evenly in the available space. When you can imagine them being twice as big around and just filling that space up, that’s when I would flip to flower.

Oh, and on the whole topping thing, if this is your first time growing, might I recommend not topping all the plants, and letting one or two grow naturally? I know for me personally that helped me.

4 Likes

That bringing the canopy a little more level does come at the cost of more density at said height - i.e. a wider plant. :wink: Top too much and veg too long and you could end up having to do something creative in flower.

2 Likes

@MattyBear I think this grow has your name all over it. You are the master of knowing when to switch a plant.

3 Likes