Uncle Ben's Topping Technique to Get 2 or 4 Main Colas

[frogster]

Im a total noob and I dont see why this thread is this long,,, Ben explained it well,read again, or again then just cut the girl and get it over with... Ben , just make a new thread (sticky) and lock it out... Great job btw.. appreciate the info put so clearly!!

 

[jjp53]

Hey Tio, I was just wondering what would happen if you topped every branch that came out of the plant?

 

[zizou21]

Awesome guide. But I am wondering if I should also be LSTing after I top it like the OP described. I have about 5 feet of room from the ground to the bulb - should I just use UB's topping technique and forget about training?

 

[Hardbuck]

I would. Not a fan of LST the "S" is for stress which can't be a good thing

 

[DaveCoulier]

I would. Not a fan of LST the "S" is for stress which can't be a good thing

Its clear you have never LST'd a plant, so you probably shouldn't speculate on something you have little to no experience with.

LST'ing a plant isn't stressing it out. There is no harm whatsoever done to the plant. Unless, you happen to snap a branch.

Zizou, I would definitely tie the plants down during pre-flowering at least. This will spread open your main growth points allowing for greater light penetration to the middle and lower parts of your plants.

 

[nas2007]

Awesome guide. But I am wondering if I should also be LSTing after I top it like the OP described. I have about 5 feet of room from the ground to the bulb - should I just use UB's topping technique and forget about training?

i would defnly LST!! its so much worth it when you top for 4 colas, then you can do the (X) plant like this

 

[Uncle Ben]

Im a total noob and I dont see why this thread is this long,,, Ben explained it well,read again, or again then just cut the girl and get it over with... Ben , just make a new thread (sticky) and lock it out... Great job btw.. appreciate the info put so clearly!!

1. Glad you got it. 2. I'm not gonna do anything more as I have nothing to gain from it. I've requested RIU unlock my edit option so I could set up a FAQ profile on the first page.

Hey Tio, I was just wondering what would happen if you topped every branch that came out of the plant?

The cause-effect of topping.

 

[Alganj]

Uncle ben,

I have a question. I enjoyed your reading on Selecting the point for topping to get 4 main colas -

Do the new COLAs come out of the cutting location? How many New COLAS form? Im confused if 4 new COLAS grow, or if only 2 NEW ones grow and the 3rd and 4th are at the node below

 

[DaveCoulier]

Uncle ben,

I have a question. I enjoyed your reading on Selecting the point for topping to get 4 main colas -

Do the new COLAs come out of the cutting location? How many New COLAS form? Im confused if 4 new COLAS grow, or if only 2 NEW ones grow and the 3rd and 4th are at the node below

Alganj, Ill answer this one for you, so that you can be saved a rightfully deserved bashing from UB .

You'll generally have two shoots at each node. Remove the Apical Meristem, and those shoots and other shoots at lower nodes will be allowed to grow unhindered by the inhibitory effects of auxins, until new shoots resume the role of apical dominance.

I hope that cleared up your questions.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Alganj, Ill answer this one for you, so that you can be saved a rightfully deserved bashing from UB .

Son of a bitch, does any one do anything other than extend their hand out? Want me to grow that damn plant out fer some of you guys?

In the first post of this thread I addressed your question Alganj.

The result will be a redistribution of the auxins and other hormones that normally collect in the tissue of the terminal leader's tip. These ho moans will be redistributed to dormant buds that reside in the nodal axis where the leaf petiole attaches to the "trunk", below the cut. The new foliar output response will be quick (within 24 hrs., see photo below)

Thanks and Happy New Year Dave!

 

[DaveCoulier]

Son of a bitch, does any one do anything other than extend their hand out? Want me to grow that damn plant out fer some of you guys?

In the first post of this thread I addressed your question Alganj.

Thanks and Happy New Year Dave!

You can grow a few plants out for me! Ive got my hands full over here.

Happy new years to you as well.

 

[CoralGrower]

300 pages on how to make a single cut to a plant.....amusing for sure.

 

[zizou21]

Guys, this is my first plant so I want to make sure i'm doing this right.

Should I keep waiting for 2 more nodes? Am I right to not count the really short node at the bottom (not the cotyledons, but just really small branches and leaves)?

 

[riddleme]

Guys, this is my first plant so I want to make sure i'm doing this right.


Should I keep waiting for 2 more nodes? Am I right to not count the really short node at the bottom (not the cotyledons, but just really small branches and leaves)?

Quote from page one of this thread,,,,,,,,,,,,,

To get 4 main colas, let your seedling or cutting (clone) grow to about 5-6 nodes and pinch out (cut) the stem just above the 2nd true node. The node where the cotyledons attach doesn't count

pretty clear everything but the coty's is a node

 

[zizou21]

so that little branch right above the coty, which is probably half an inch long (Compared to the node above it, which has branches 6-8 times+ its size) counts as a node then? So once I top this plant, it's gona have a really distinguished node and a really small one under it? Good to know.

 

[hogs]

Hey Uncle...

Well just got through the 300 pages...MAn only took the last few nights..but was worth ever second of it...

Not only does one learn the basics of your first page LoL but all the the other items, topics that come from within....

You are a Blessing to this world of plants in general... as well as a hand full of others that gave their time here helping out answering a few questions from time to time.....

I don`t know you at all , But seems I know alot more of your views etc. when it comes to growing plants in general...

All the best to you and your Wife etc.etc and hope what ever bothers her goes away.. and you all have a Good 2011 YEAR...
LoL Now I got to spend another few weeks reading all your other threads etc etc..

 

[Nullis]

This is a S.A.G.E. clone I cut above the 4th or 5th node. I believe I've succeeded. She's down for a transplant, then flower time.

​

 

[convict156326]

heyUB, great thread. ive grown outdoors but 1st indoor. do i top the same way? i learned about topping from deer. one of my patches was on their trail and they kept biting off the fresh green tips. i wonderd at first why this one patch grew so much better, was 3 weeks till i was able to figure it out then.

 

[Danielsgb]

Here's an example of a Purple Rain I started that ended up a male. I top all mine as I think it fills a canopy better.
Daniels

 

[Uncle Ben]

heyUB, great thread. ive grown outdoors but 1st indoor. do i top the same way? i learned about topping from deer. one of my patches was on their trail and they kept biting off the fresh green tips. i wonderd at first why this one patch grew so much better, was 3 weeks till i was able to figure it out then.

It's totally up to you regarding apical dominance and what you're trying to achieve. When you take out the tip of a dominant leader, it kicks in a hormonal response behind the cut.

Here's an example of a Purple Rain I started that ended up a male. I top all mine as I think it fills a canopy better.

Nice! As an aside, if you know of a local gardener (or you) that composts commercially, top dress your pots with a 2" layer of fine compost. It will provide the balance nutrionally you seek. I got 6.5 cu. yds. of the finest compost you can imagine delivered for $150. Compsed of green material like leaves, twigs, horse manure.

Happy NY,
UB
.