When to top autos

ImpulsiveGrower

Well-Known Member
Don’t even bother topping but here’s my recommendation. Super crop the main to break apical dominance making growth hormones go to your side shoots making them bigger. That way you can achieve an even canopy without using a high stress technique. It’s just not worth it to top autos but there’s no rules saying you can’t so go for it if you really think your going to benefit. I think you will have a lower yield just to have 2 smaller tops over the one main. Grow photoperiod if you wanna top.
 

VincenzioVonHook

Well-Known Member
Don’t even bother topping but here’s my recommendation. Super crop the main to break apical dominance making growth hormones go to your side shoots making them bigger. That way you can achieve an even canopy without using a high stress technique. It’s just not worth it to top autos but there’s no rules saying you can’t so go for it if you really think your going to benefit. I think you will have a lower yield just to have 2 smaller tops over the one main. Grow photoperiod if you wanna top.
I've topped every auto I've grown multiple times. Never an issue. I was completely new to growing as well. They were my first runs.

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I don't think I yielded more because of it, it just helped with the canopy. I usually top after the fourth or fifth node, which is usually week 3, and then I'll train the top set outwards, and top the lower branches that outgrow the top set around pre-flower.
 

ImpulsiveGrower

Well-Known Member
I've topped every auto I've grown multiple times. Never an issue. I was completely new to growing as well. They were my first runs.

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I don't think I yielded more because of it, it just helped with the canopy. I usually top after the fourth or fifth node, which is usually week 3, and then I'll train the top set outwards, and top the lower branches that outgrow the top set around pre-flower.
Nice!! I did say there aren’t any rules about it lol. So yes your yeild will most likely be affected but it depends on the situation too.
 

VincenzioVonHook

Well-Known Member
The strain seems to be a big factor with this.

I’ve had autos that start showing pistils 20 days in and some that take 40 days. If you’ve got a longer veg period topping works a lot better.
I've just been lucky so far, out of seven grown, only one was a runt. The other 6 showed pre flowers around week four and have had quite a sizeable stretch period where they still deal with topping fine. One was topped five times.

I have seen more than my fair share or autos flower incredibly premature. I ended up binning a GDP that went into pre-flower with only three nodes lol.
 
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Just Be

Well-Known Member
Everything you need to know about topping autos can be found here.
 
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