Height restrictions

Hey Riu, now that I have my second cycle going and my first grow is coming to an end soon, I am beginning my new cycle which consists of 4 vegging plants from seeds. Hoping for all females again

Anyway, I have them in 5 gallon buckets, in 2 of the buckets I drilled holes around the rim for possible Lsting. I have normal ceiling but I do not want my plants to grow into my light, it is a 600 watt but is in a open air hood so no ducting or anything. I have lots of air current but I still want height to be controlled.

I have researched lsting, topping etc I just need some general opinions. Does topping help with height? Should I top all 4 regardless? I really need input here. I will be extending my grow space to probably around 5-6 feet wide and long possibly larger.

I am hesitant to lst because I do not want to hermie my plants and really feel like ill mess something up.

Thank you guys

Yes it will help...promotes branching for a more even canopy, look into super cropping,fimming as alternatives...keep the light as close a possible to minimize stretch...be aware when you flip to 12/12 your plant will begin "stretch" it will double maybe triple in size depending on genetics...if your worried flip now...don't forget string is your friend...

I am hesitant to lst because I do not want to hermie my plants and really feel like ill mess something up.

Click to expand...

You can not stress your plant to hermie because of what/how you LST...
Low Stress Training...
No problem mon...
Easier to bend and shape a plant that has been watered within 24 hrs, makes stalks 'bendier' less likely to break...
Good Luck ...

I top some and left some. There four weeks into flower and the ones I topped are doing better and buds are bigger and more of them. For me ill be top all mine.

LST and topping are both good options but pruning or topping affects the plant more drastically than bending or LST.
Selective pruning and bending allows us to manipulate auxin hormone levels in branch and flower tips. Removing or bending a branch or tip causes hormonal balances to shift. Cutting the meristem (top growth tip) of a cannabis plant will diffuse auxins and cause greater concenterations in lower branch tips. bending a growing tip changes hormone concentrations less than pruning.
That being said prune all at once to reduce stress, and so she only has to recover once! Make sure to prune one month(or as long as possible) before flowering, since diffuses floral hormones flowering is retarded unless the plant has time to reproduce the hormones lost. Remove spindly brances and growth that aren't exposed to light. Doing this will concentrate auxinsin upper branches, allows for better airflow and also better light penetration.
Ok last thing prune during the afternoon or evening when the hormones are in the tips, this will discourage upwards growth.
I hope this helps! good luck with your grow
MR