Uncle Ben's Topping Method in DWC

Logan Burke

Logan Burke

Well-Known Member
Hello RIU members! So, after growing autos for years I've begun trying my hand at photoperiod, and decided I was going to use Uncle Ben's method of waiting for 5-6 nodes, then chopping just above the second true node. My question is, due to the fact that I'll be basically chopping the plant in half, how much should I reduce my ppm's? Maybe by half? Or would I be better off to do a regular topping, wait a few days for the two dominant branches to grow up, and then top each of those two as well? Really just trying to find my groove as I don't usually top, having grown autos most of the time I've spent growing.

I intend on applying these to each of my 5 gal buckets to basically ScROG each plant. Anyone have any insight on what topping method would best coincide with my goal of having 4 dominant colas on each plant?
https://www.horticulturesource.com/grow1-scrog-kit-21-x-21--p25065?gclid=CjwKCAjw8qjnBRA-EiwAaNvhwKDirt1iv32dTukHjJMeh876MEbL5xnMRJW03RgJVA0QRXsa6V0KFBoCtusQAvD_BwE
My space parameters will be a 6.5x6.5x6.5ft tent, with 4 White Rhinos, so while I do have some vertical space I do not have a bunch.
As always, thanks so much RIU, happy growing!
 
GreenLegend420

GreenLegend420

Well-Known Member
For 4 main colas i go to 6 nodes and top above the 4th. If you dont have a lot of stretch 2 nodes isnt very much and it doesnt hurt the plant at all. I'm sure they take in less nutrients by volume because the plant will be smaller but i dont see any reason to reduce the strength of the solution.
 
Logan Burke

Logan Burke

Well-Known Member
I tried FIMming on my last run with Snow Whites, and perhaps I just need to perfect my FIMming, but it just didn't seem to create an even canopy the way I was hoping for on one plant, while the other plant did respond pretty well and did end up with a somewhat even canopy of bud sites. Due to some mess ups on my part, the plant didn't yield what it could've, so I certainly need to give FIMming another try on a set of plants that have a totally healthy bloom phase. I've already topped these 4 White Rhinos or I would do so on this run.

GreenLegend420 said:
For 4 main colas i go to 6 nodes and top above the 4th. If you dont have a lot of stretch 2 nodes isnt very much and it doesnt hurt the plant at all. I'm sure they take in less nutrients by volume because the plant will be smaller but i dont see any reason to reduce the strength of the solution.
Click to expand...
I'm really interested in trying this. It seems like less of a hastle than topping, then topping each of the two main budsties over again. Not to mention that it will probably reduce some height which I can always use. So, to do this, I would simply cut the main stalk just above the 4th true node? And that alone will produce me 4 main bud sites on each plant? Just want to make sure I have this right before I go all willy nilly with the scissors and all :)
Thank you so much GreenLegend and Purps.
 
Purpsmagurps

Purpsmagurps

Well-Known Member
yeah, the one thing about uncle bens and mainlining tho is the original veg lighting , doesnt really work with strong intense lighting you need node spacing via weaker 3000k or t5 intensity light.
 
Purpsmagurps

Purpsmagurps

Well-Known Member
you can get 4 mains but if your light is too strong or blue you will have 4 christmas trees instead of colas.
 
Logan Burke

Logan Burke

Well-Known Member
I thought the blue light was better for keeping short internodal spacing, and keeping the plant short by reducing stem growth? Or do you mean that by reducing node's distance, they become less trainable?...I'm using a 315w CMH for veg, and a 1000w HPS with 2 315w cmh's, one on each side of the HPS. But I usually put a MH in 1k fixture during the first 2 weeks of 12/12 to reduce the stretch.
 
GreenLegend420

GreenLegend420

Well-Known Member
Logan Burke said:
I tried FIMming on my last run with Snow Whites, and perhaps I just need to perfect my FIMming, but it just didn't seem to create an even canopy the way I was hoping for on one plant, while the other plant did respond pretty well and did end up with a somewhat even canopy of bud sites. Due to some mess ups on my part, the plant didn't yield what it could've, so I certainly need to give FIMming another try on a set of plants that have a totally healthy bloom phase. I've already topped these 4 White Rhinos or I would do so on this run.


I'm really interested in trying this. It seems like less of a hastle than topping, then topping each of the two main budsties over again. Not to mention that it will probably reduce some height which I can always use. So, to do this, I would simply cut the main stalk just above the 4th true node? And that alone will produce me 4 main bud sites on each plant? Just want to make sure I have this right before I go all willy nilly with the scissors and all :)
Thank you so much GreenLegend and Purps.
Click to expand...
yea right above the 4th node. what i like to do after the 4 start to grow is spread the 4 out to each corner of its space like an x with stalk being the center point of the x. If you have a scrog screen you can start to fill the screen with the growth that comes up between the stalk and the tip of the 4 mains. A powerful light works great if you do that.

would also note it doesnt have to be the first 4 nodes you can pinch off a couple if they arent up to vigor it just depends on the strain.
 
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Logan Burke

Logan Burke

Well-Known Member
Thanks GreenLegend, I'm going to follow that format since it should work perfect for my setup. Some have 7 nodes, and have had some deficiencies in their early veg, so I'll cut them at their 5th. Hopefully this will buy me a couple days to get the scrog setup properly, as I'll have to drill some holes into the bucket lids to get it anchored to the bucket. And yes, as long as the new bud sites can grow up a few inches there should be enough stem for me to point them towards the edge of my scrog screen. You guys are life savers, I'll be sure to post an update pic of my plants once they grow well into their scrog!
 
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