At what Node Count should I Consider Topping?

[Lowkeygardener]

I’m wondering when I should consider topping. Seedling is 17 days from from germination, 12 days from hitting soil. It’s currently growing its 3rd node and I’ve seen some just pinch it off at this height. Is it too early? Love to see everybody’s opinion on the matter.

-52 watt cfl 5600k at around 3-4” w/ 24/0 schedule
-Humidity 70-85% daily
-Temps 70-76* F
-FF Happy Frog, repotting once soil dries into 3 gallon fabric pots with FF OF, extra perlite and some hydroton to increase watershed.

 

[MICHI-CAN]

You're there in my world. 4th to 5 node. Hope you got something to flower her. CFL isn't going to do it. But you know. LOL.

 

[Lowkeygardener]

You're there in my world. 4th to 5 node. Hope you got something to flower her. CFL isn't going to do it. But you know. LOL.

Flowering her in a 2x4 under 300 true watt LED. Adding extra red spectrum panels a few weeks after flipping to flower

 

[Coloradogrower710]

I topped mine about the same height. Your plant looks very healthy. My steams look purple.. yours are nice and green good job

 

[hotrodharley]

Top it. I top 3 times in a row starting at this size. Start supercrop as soon as the branches are long enough to do it.

 

[MICHI-CAN]

Top it. I top 3 times in a row starting at this size. Start supercrop as soon as the branches are long enough to do it.

And reward you with topiary like this. LOL.

 

[hotrodharley]

And reward you with topiary like this. LOL. View attachment 4860567

Actually just like that. I can gradually shape the canopy fairly level too. Snapping inner branches down and letting outer branches catch up.

Nice job there!

 

[MICHI-CAN]

Actually just like that. I can gradually shape the canopy fairly level too. Snapping inner branches down and letting outer branches catch up.

Nice job there!

Was just producing a male for a back peddling friend. LMAO. Sincere thank you still. I grew shrubs in not so open times. I love bonsai.

They work with you or you work against them. You know. Peace and a hit to you.

 

[hotrodharley]

Was just producing a male for a back peddling friend. LMAO. Sincere thank you still. I grew shrubs in not so open times. I love bonsai.

They work with you or you work against them. You know. Peace and a hit to you.

I’m OCD about it. The topping, supercropping and shaping/leveling. I run multiple strains so SCROG isn’t the best option sometimes. Running up to 35 plants I got out of that LST stuff a real long time ago.

I can keep most strains belly high and supercrop during the first two weeks of flower to help keep stretch to a minimum.

 

[Lowkeygardener]

I’m OCD about it. The topping, supercropping and shaping/leveling. I run multiple strains so SCROG isn’t the best option sometimes. Running up to 35 plants I got out of that LST stuff a real long time ago.

I can keep most strains belly high and supercrop during the first two weeks of flower to help keep stretch to a minimum.

Thanks for the input fellas. Helped with my plan of attack on this girl. I just transplanted from 16oz solo up to a 3 gallon fabric. Gonna give her a day or 2 to relax even though I was able to transplant without issue. Then I’ll pinch that top shoot off. Gonna put her under her new light (300 true watt LED) @ 50% power soon. Should I let her get accustomed to the new lighting situation and then top? Will she get too stressed if I Top her and put her under the new light at the same time?

 

[hotrodharley]

Thanks for the input fellas. Helped with my plan of attack on this girl. I just transplanted from 16oz solo up to a 3 gallon fabric. Gonna give her a day or 2 to relax even though I was able to transplant without issue. Then I’ll pinch that top shoot off. Gonna put her under her new light (300 true watt LED) @ 50% power soon. Should I let her get accustomed to the new lighting situation and then top? Will she get too stressed if I Top her and put her under the new light at the same time?

Top. They’re not creatures. Don’t waste time.

 

[Hashishh]

Top. They’re not creatures. Don’t waste time.

Absolutely, at the end of the day it's just a plant. I generally top at around the 5th node and start bending/breaking branches from there to keep my canopy even. I got tired of fishing through a scrog net.

Just like hair I always tell myself "it will grow back", lol!

 

[hotrodharley]

Absolutely, at the end of the day it's just a plant. I generally top at around the 5th node and start bending/breaking branches from there to keep my canopy even. I got tired of fishing through a scrog net.

Just like hair I always tell myself "it will grow back", lol!

Exactly!!!! I laugh at LST. Because I used to do it. I run multiple strains so SCROG is not always a solution.