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

[Danielsgb]

hello danielsgb i got them burried up to the cotyledons and was going to top today but im debating topping at the second node if i do i cud clone it but what if i go to the next one up just starting ??? srry if this seems lame to you it just seems like your a person i can go to for some basic trustable info heres some pics i did up for you

You got it right where to top for 4 main colas. It will make a good clone.
But I meant up-can it way deeper. Like this SS. Here's a Tangerine Dream I topped.
So if it was mine I would redo the up-can, sink it way lower so the cotyledons are barely above soil. Then wait a bit but still top for 4 colas. I'd make sure there is an inch above the soil to the top of the pot so water never washes the top of the main stem free of dirt. The stem will start making roots.once it is covered in soil and watered.
Daniels

 

[Dubbz0r]

I read through the first 12 pages but didn't see what I was looking for so I'll ask the question.

My clones are only a few weeks old and there is no true sign of 1 main kola. There are nodes, but they are all over the place. Where would I attempt to top something like that?

 

[Serial Violator]

Is there a reason you let the plant grow to 5 or 6 nodes before you top it??? if anyone knows

 

[0calli]

You got it right where to top for 4 main colas. It will make a good clone.
But I meant up-can it way deeper. Like this SS. Here's a Tangerine Dream I topped.
So if it was mine I would redo the up-can, sink it way lower so the cotyledons are barely above soil. Then wait a bit but still top for 4 colas. I'd make sure there is an inch above the soil to the top of the pot so water never washes the top of the main stem free of dirt. The stem will start making roots.once it is covered in soil and watered.
Daniels


thnk u soo much all the info was great help i just topped them today here are some pics and happy gardening my fellow grower

 

[1oldgoat]

Is there a reason you let the plant grow to 5 or 6 nodes before you top it??? if anyone knows

Yes.........it's in this thread near the beginning.

 

[Danielsgb]

I read through the first 12 pages but didn't see what I was looking for so I'll ask the question.

My clones are only a few weeks old and there is no true sign of 1 main kola. There are nodes, but they are all over the place. Where would I attempt to top something like that?

The answer is in here from Uncle Ben. Even back a dozen pages has it.
1 Main Cola is from the very center growing tip. It's also called the apical meristem. Clones usually have alternating nodes so it is different. You need to look at where the bottom four nodes are and where a lateral branch will come from. aka tiny set of leaves. Think of where the four main Colas will come from.

Is there a reason you let the plant grow to 5 or 6 nodes before you top it??? if anyone knows

Again UB has answered this many times. It is so it has a strong root system.

You got it right where to top for 4 main colas. It will make a good clone.
But I meant up-can it way deeper. Like this SS. Here's a Tangerine Dream I topped.
So if it was mine I would redo the up-can, sink it way lower so the cotyledons are barely above soil. Then wait a bit but still top for 4 colas. I'd make sure there is an inch above the soil to the top of the pot so water never washes the top of the main stem free of dirt. The stem will start making roots.once it is covered in soil and watered.
Daniels]


thnk u soo much all the info was great help i just topped them today here are some pics and happy gardening my fellow grower




View attachment 1648422View attachment 1648420View attachment 1648419View attachment 1648421View attachment 1648426

Good luck.
Do you see how you up-can so more stem is buried? It does help. Better root system and lowers where the tops will be later.
Daniels

 

[1oldgoat]

I read through the first 12 pages but didn't see what I was looking for so I'll ask the question.

My clones are only a few weeks old and there is no true sign of 1 main kola. There are nodes, but they are all over the place. Where would I attempt to top something like that?

Look above two posts

 

[0calli]

before topping..................................................... after topping for all who dont want to read lol.

 

[Dubbz0r]

My plants have alternating nodes which is why I was asking about clones. This thread has 386 pages... I read the first 12 and last 5 pages and still don't see alternating node topping mentioned or explained or if it's even possible to get 4 main kolas, hence why I asked.

 

[Grow Info]

Can someone help me understand:

I mean I understand why topping would result in 2 colas, since there are those two pieces on both sides of the main stem that will grow upward, but where do the other two of the 4 colas come from without having to top again? (It's my first grow )

 

[medicine21]

A leaf comes from the stem - this is one node. A branch will come from this node right above/on top of the leaf. This branch will become a cola. To aim for 4 colas, just picture where the branches will come out of and leave 4 individual nodes for this to happen. On immature plants (as in the first month or more from seed) the leaves grow out of the stem on both sides at the same level, i.e. they are not alternating. Those count as a single node, since they are on the same level. On each side a branch will come resulting in two branches from this non-alternating node or eventually two colas.

When you have alternating nodes, just count 4 of them, again picture where the branches will come from those nodes (they may have already started) and cut everything above it. They may not be as even in height, but you can train/supercrop as needed later to even them out.

 

[Dubbz0r]

A leaf comes from the stem - this is one node. A branch will come from this node right above/on top of the leaf. This branch will become a cola. To aim for 4 colas, just picture where the branches will come out of and leave 4 individual nodes for this to happen. On immature plants (as in the first month or more from seed) the leaves grow out of the stem on both sides at the same level, i.e. they are not alternating. Those count as a single node, since they are on the same level. On each side a branch will come resulting in two branches from this non-alternating node or eventually two colas.

When you have alternating nodes, just count 4 of them, again picture where the branches will come from those nodes (they may have already started) and cut everything above it. They may not be as even in height, but you can train/supercrop as needed later to even them out.

Much thanks for the reply +rep. As tempting as it sounds I think I'll wait until I get this first grow under my belt before I go chopping my plants in half. It looks and sounds like a no-brainer because really, who wouldn't want 4 giant kolas instead of one? but with my lack of knowledge I don't want to risk jacking them up just yet. I will definitely keep my eye on this thread though.

 

[The45King]

Can someone help me understand:

I mean I understand why topping would result in 2 colas, since there are those two pieces on both sides of the main stem that will grow upward, but where do the other two of the 4 colas come from without having to top again? (It's my first grow )

Simplified

 

[Dubbz0r]

View attachment 1649612
Simplified

Can you make one of those for alternating nodes please? LOL totally kidding...

 

[Fadedflower]

I'm enlightened!

 

[Fadedflower]

Hey, what happened to that other post! It had a link to another Uncle Ben thread, but I never got a chance to follow it!

 

[Grow Info]

View attachment 1649612
Simplified

Thanks, that helps with understanding where to cut. But what would be the result of cutting above that, like at the 5th node. It would only produce 2 tops at that location right? Why would it not produce, for example, 10 tops (2 at each remaining node), such as when you cut at the 2nd node it produces 4 tops (2 at the 2nd, 2 at the 1st)?

 

[PakaloloHui]

Thanks, that helps with understanding where to cut. But what would be the result of cutting above that, like at the 5th node. It would only produce 2 tops at that location right? Why would it not produce, for example, 10 tops (2 at each remaining node), such as when you cut at the 2nd node it produces 4 tops (2 at the 2nd, 2 at the 1st)?

If you apply LST training as well to let the lower branches to catch up you can have 10+ tops ie. look at my Photo albulb of the White Sharks https://www.rollitup.org/members/pakalolohui-321765/albums/bonzai-sized-white-shark-24013/

I cut once beteween the 7th & 8th node and removed the bottom 3, just my preference, and tied the branches down. Today is day 75 and their 18th day of flowering.

 

[Danielsgb]

Thanks, that helps with understanding where to cut. But what would be the result of cutting above that, like at the 5th node. It would only produce 2 tops at that location right? Why would it not produce, for example, 10 tops (2 at each remaining node), such as when you cut at the 2nd node it produces 4 tops (2 at the 2nd, 2 at the 1st)?

It becomes a bush with smaller bud sites. Not the same as UB's method. Not the same where you'd get 10 tops.

 

[nazZty]

I did read through this but 2 looks very similar to how you cut 4. Can someone please explain in dummy terms.