Fimming and Topping 101

jigfresh

Well-Known Member
Originally from Uncle Ben's Topping Technique to get 2 or 4 main colas: https://www.rollitup.org/advanced-marijuana-cultivation/151706-uncle-bens-topping-technique-get-18.html#post2086698
uncle ben said:
regionaldragon said:
What if you have alternating nodes instead of pairs of nodes, where do you top?
You can't. Nodes must be opposing for the double output thingie. If your nodes are alternating, you won't get the effect as the top node (leafset) will be at a point on the plant that has the greatest collection of auxins, the newest, highest tissue. Auxins control a plant's growing dynamics. When you pinch out the tip of a plant that is in a veg stage (has opposing nodes/leafsets) then basically the plant splits the auxins and sends them to the 2 dormant buds located at the axis of where the leaf petiole attaches to the "trunk". Viola, you get simultaneous output, two new leafsets.
I have 6 clones that all have alternating nodes. I read the answer you gave above and was wondering if you could clarify a bit? I understand I will net get the 2 or 4 cola thing going on. My guess is that a combination of 1 or more of the 'new highest' branches would be the main(s) cola(s)? Does that make sense? Is that right?

If I don't make any sense don't worry about it. I'm going to try it either way, just wondered what I should be looking for.

I included a pic (original by uncle ben, edited by me).

Is this what my plant might look like after topping? My guess is that 1 or more of the 4 stems I highlighted will become the 'trunk' or 'trunks'?

There's also a pic of where I am planning on cutting the girls (above the 2nd node).

And thanks for the link to that card trick site, really cool. http://www.adobecards.com/
 

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Uncle Ben

Well-Known Member
Topping a plant with alternating nodes will not reliably get you more than one main cola. Try it and see. Hoo nose, you might like the result.

Good luck,
UB
 

jigfresh

Well-Known Member
I am 2 weeks into my very first grow. I've tried to search for this answer to no avail.

Every one of my 6 clones has alternating nodes. Every single time there is a fan leaf anywhere there is a new branch growing out of the same place from the stalk (like normal I assume). Likewise every single time there is a new branch, there is a fan leaf.

Except on one plant there is one place a new branch is growing out of the main stalk with no fan leaf growing out below and up against it.

Is this another top? Is it nothing but a sign I pay too much attention to my plants?

And the real question is, should I top this plant like I was planning too, and if so where in regards to the rogue branch?
 

charlesweedmore

Well-Known Member
hey guys,i fimmed my plants .i have 13 plants and it is my first grow.i fimmed 6 plants,topped 2 plants and did nothing 5 plants.it was very easy and i am very exciting now :hug:

when will i see whether i did fimmed/topped successfully ?
in fact,i wonder it is possible to make a mistake while fimming or topping ?

:joint:
 

chusett

Well-Known Member
yes jay if you pinch of the little bit of new growth at the very top, it'll start bushing off... the only reason to wait longer is if you want a topping that is big enough to use as a clone...
nevermind.. didn't see this :)

So new question is.. is it good to just top instead of fim the plants that i intend to keep in veg/mothers. ?
 

itsalways420

Active Member
Ok, so i understand both, so if i have a plant with 12 branches, and double fim each branch and the top, will have i really have 38(including the very top) arms a growing?
 

jigfresh

Well-Known Member
anyone? bueller:joint:.....bueller:joint:.....bueller:joint:????
It's not a math problem they are plants. If you do what you are talking about you will end up with around 38 branches... are you going to count them all? It might be 36 or even 40. And they aren't all going to be exactly the same or anything. If you top/ fim your plant it will branch more, want more branching, cut more... want less, cut less. It's not exact, but it is simple.

Speaking from someone with experience in many many small buds.... harvestig is going to be a bitch with all those branches. I would rather have less buds but bigger. LIke 12 big buds intead of 40 small ones. But that's just me.
 
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