Topping - law of diminishing returns

[racerboy71]

I have tried topping plants and compared results with not topping. My plants yield more when I just let them grow rather than top them. That is for just two plants at a time using side lights as well as overhead.

i think a lot of that is strain dependent as well.. it seems some plants do much better when topped vs others for what ever reason(s)..

 

[mr_c]

Look up the Grand Master Level on YouTube and find a video on how he tops. I came across his channel during research on the HLG 550 V2 and learned a few good techniques from watching his series. He is a professional grower in Canada that puts out large rooms of amazing buds. His topping method was one of them. His feeding and DTW setup being another.

For topping, the idea is to build an even canopy by stressing tallest tops. The stress is in the form of removing leaves from said tops except those at the tip. All of the lower branches eventually make it to the top.

 

[ganga gurl420]

I lst, top, fim the crap out of my plants and get massive yields for where I live.
You have to give your plant time to recover in between.
Root mass, soil, and light have the greatest impact on yield tho no matter how you train your plant.

 

[CanadianJim]

I have tried topping plants and compared results with not topping. My plants yield more when I just let them grow rather than top them. That is for just two plants at a time using side lights as well as overhead.

That's indoors though, in pots right? Or do you use supplemental light outdoors?

 

[Seawood]

I lst, top, fim the crap out of my plants and get massive yields for where I live.
You have to give your plant time to recover in between.
Root mass, soil, and light have the greatest impact on yield tho no matter how you train your plant.

There she is! You have anything on the go this summer, GG? Or are you too busy still trimming last years’ harvest? LOL

I’m stuck with pots again as I’m moving the end of July and obviously want to bring the plants with me. Good news is the new house has a perfect yard for growing with 10 hours+ a day of direct sun. Will be much better than the 7 hours I have at my current house. Hoping this will make a difference. Pretty sad that a full sun backyard was high on the priority list when we were looking for a new place!

I’m using 20 gal pots so is that my limiting factor here for topping? Sounds like root space has as much or more to do with yield than anything from a plant that’s been topped numerous times.

Guess I’ll keep snipping and see how I end up.

 

[ganga gurl420]

There she is! You have anything on the go this summer, GG? Or are you too busy still trimming last years’ harvest? LOL

I’m stuck with pots again as I’m moving the end of July and obviously want to bring the plants with me. Good news is the new house has a perfect yard for growing with 10 hours+ a day of direct sun. Will be much better than the 7 hours I have at my current house. Hoping this will make a difference. Pretty sad that a full sun backyard was high on the priority list when we were looking for a new place!

I’m using 20 gal pots so is that my limiting factor here for topping? Sounds like root space has as much or more to do with yield than anything from a plant that’s been topped numerous times.

Guess I’ll keep snipping and see how I end up.

I took the yr off....I was beyond burned out lol

Lots of healthy fluffy soil definitely is a huge factor.
You will get better every season... you will be growing monsters in no time

 

[bartow]

That's indoors though, in pots right? Or do you use supplemental light outdoors?

It is in doors in cloth bags.

 

[CanadianJim]

So root zone space could be a factor for you.

 

[too larry]

I go back and forth on topping. I always used to top. One plant I topped seven times. That is 128 main tops. But now most of my strains flower too early to do much topping. Plus I have lost several over the years to splitting. If you do top, make sure you use tape or wire to support the Y.

Now I LOB {Lean over Baby} more. When the plant gets 18-24 inches, stake it down as low as possible. Keep staking down the main tip as it grows. If space allows, you can stake down the side branches too. When flowering starts for real, I turn them all loose so there will be some give to the plant. I've had several break when heavy with bud where it was staked down.

 

[too larry]

i think a lot of that is strain dependent as well.. it seems some plants do much better when topped vs others for what ever reason(s)..

I have a cross called Possum Shunk 1.5 {Poly Shunk 1.5 X (Gorrile de Raisin x {Afghani x shit/skunk}) that would go all wonky on me every time I topped it. One side might have 3 tops, and the other only 1. Only gown it one season, but will not be topping when it gets back in the lineup.

 

[Seawood]

Something I noticed with one of my plants (Chemdawg). It was growing super fast and I noticed the branches starting to lean...they were flimsy. After topping, those branches really stiffened up. In my one year of growing, never saw this before. Lol. Has anyone else?

Not topping anymore. Have 20+ tops on these plants and will end up with 30-40+ after my chopping today. Can’t wait until I see the results.

 

[jungle666]

Something I noticed with one of my plants (Chemdawg). It was growing super fast and I noticed the branches starting to lean...they were flimsy. After topping, those branches really stiffened up. In my one year of growing, never saw this before. Lol. Has anyone else?

Not topping anymore. Have 20+ tops on these plants and will end up with 30-40+ after my chopping today. Can’t wait until I see the results.

Keep us updated,should be good

 

[Seawood]

Thanks man. I will. Gonna make some RIU members jealous! One day you fawkers will be asking me for advice!!!




Orrr maybe not....lol