fdd2blk's Basic Trimming And Topping Techniques

dew-b

dew-b

Well-Known Member
fdd2blk said:
i start by letting my plants get at least 12 or so nodes tall, then the trimming begins. i always remove the first 3 or 4 sets of leaves and branches, often more. the first set of leaves a plant puts out are only single bladed. i find the branches from these nodes are often thin and weak, comparative to the coming growth. the second set of leaves has 3 nodes, the third set 5, and so on ... i like to remove all of the bottom growth, up to the point of that the plant produces two sets of the same amount of leaf blades, or the 5th or 6th node. some plants produce 5 bladed leaves, some up to 11+ so i don't always follow this rule. most commonly i let the growth rate decide.


by removing the lower growth you are also raising your future canopy. this will allow plenty of space for watering and soil/media maintenance. it also causes the plant to get a thicker, more sturdy main stalk.


once the lower growth is removed you can now top the plant. if you want a plant with only 2 main colas you top it down to the first set of nodes that were left on the plant. if you want 4 main colas you top it above the second set of nodes left on the plant. for 6 colas top at the third set, and so on. each set of nodes should produce a set of colas.

once your plant is trimmed at the bottom and topped the side branches will start shooting out. these may then be "topped" as well. the sooner you top your side branches the tighter your plant structure will be. when topping side branches you must take note to how many nodes you are leaving on the branch. if you leave 2 sets of nodes on a side branch it will produce two new branches. if you leave 3 sets, 3 branches. and so on.

once you start topping things can get pretty bushy. you have to plan ahead and trim according. trial and error is your best teacher. have fun with it. grow a few extra plants to practice with so if you clip the wrong branch it won't be such a worry. did i mention to have fun with it? :-P:weed:

these plants are currently still in veg so i will be updating pics as they progress.



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you messed up now fdd. you gave away the secret on how to grow trees. verry good tho. i will have to use that tec on my pepper plants.
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
UncleBuck said:
i don't trim as much of the bottom growth as fdd does, but i don't exactly have much fun when it comes time to harvest.

i have several mostly harvested plants in the garage right now with just some popcorn waiting to be trimmed. they are taunting me. :cuss:
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i thought about second harvest but feel why bother on popcorn buds when i can start fresh plants and not tie up room but some like to get all they can from their plants

as for the taunting popcorn buds go out there with some scissors and scare them bitches might make them fill out more
 
UncleBuck

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member
fabfun said:
i thought about second harvest but feel why bother on popcorn buds when i can start fresh plants and not tie up room but some like to get all they can from their plants

as for the taunting popcorn buds go out there with some scissors and scare them bitches might make them fill out more
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i have just started doing second harvests, but these plants were not big enough.

i'd get a bud the size of my thumb nail instead of my pinky nail.

i might just strip the buds off the branch en masse and throw them on my scraps pile. i smoke the scraps or give them to my less financially stable friends.
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
UncleBuck said:
i have just started doing second harvests, but these plants were not big enough.

i'd get a bud the size of my thumb nail instead of my pinky nail.

i might just strip the buds off the branch en masse and throw them on my scraps pile. i smoke the scraps or give them to my less financially stable friends.
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giving them to less fortunate is a great and noble ideal:clap:
 
UncleBuck

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member
fabfun said:
giving them to less fortunate is a great and noble ideal:clap:
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i just do it so i don't feel like a dick when they come up to me with some sob story about how they are so broke but need something.

maybe i should just give them the plants and tell them to trim, dry and cure it themselves. make sure to bring me back the container though :)
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
UncleBuck said:
i just do it so i don't feel like a dick when they come up to me with some sob story about how they are so broke but need something.

maybe i should just give them the plants and tell them to trim, dry and cure it themselves. make sure to bring me back the container though :)
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no dont then they will just dry it in oven and smoke it 5 minutes later and then say u got shitty weed lol
 
F

fdd2blk

Well-Known Member
UncleBuck said:
gracias!

they seem to be losing their tree shape a little as time goes on, i'll just play it as it comes.

another question about topping, since i only have indoor experience...indoors, i try to leave a week or two between topping and flower. do you think it is a good idea to use a similar practice outside?

thanks again for starting this thread.
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yeah, i stop before flowering stets in. outside, with huge plants, i can see subtle changes that indicate flowering onset. mostly just growth structure.
 
UncleBuck

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member
fdd2blk said:
yeah, i stop before flowering stets in. outside, with huge plants, i can see subtle changes that indicate flowering onset. mostly just growth structure.
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i'll probably have to go by date more than look until i pick up an eye for outdoor plants.

but thank you again. this thread and your other trimming thread (harvest time trimming) have been extremely helpful to me.
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
UncleBuck said:
i'll probably have to go by date more than look until i pick up an eye for outdoor plants.

but thank you again. this thread and your other trimming thread (harvest time trimming) have been extremely helpful to me.
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im no fdd groupie but i used his harvest info for my last grow
and others may want to hate but u got to give him his props
 
UncleBuck

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member
fabfun said:
im no fdd groupie but i used his harvest info for my last grow
and others may want to hate but u got to give him his props
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we sometimes get at each other when it switches to the political, but i respect his grower eye. very helpful and informative, simple and down to earth.

like i said, i pattern my harvest trim after his style. i trim in close. people like that.
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
UncleBuck said:
we sometimes get at each other when it switches to the political, but i respect his grower eye. very helpful and informative, simple and down to earth.

like i said, i pattern my harvest trim after his style. i trim in close. people like that.
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i wont go near political forum u and budlover going at it about ron paul lol
u got to get in close with the trim to get leaves off i found on first harvest if i went back on trimmed better it tasted better
 
F

fdd2blk

Well-Known Member
i fuck with everyone as if they were sitting here next to me, sharing this bowl load. :)

a lot of people don't seem to like my weed though. :(
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
fdd2blk said:
i fuck with everyone as if they were sitting here next to me, sharing this bowl load. :)

a lot of people don't seem to like my weed though. :(
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oh come on i would hit it with u
its not the weed they dont like
they r jealous and haters :cuss:
 
obijohn

obijohn

Well-Known Member
Ok, gotta ask. Is the Uncle Buck posting here the same Uncle Buck that makes the edibles for dispensaries?
 
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