Hitting Ceiling of Greenhouse

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wiseguy187

Active Member
Hi all, can’t recall if I’ve posted before, but I’ve lurked for like a decade. I’ll try to keep this short but provide as much info as needed…

I’m in Northern California and growing several plants outdoor in a 12’ L x 6.5’ W x 6.5’ H greenhouse (mainly for privacy). I have grown outdoor before but generally in 5 gallon pots and in not the best sunlight. I planted bag seeds mid-March, and now at the end of the June, quite a few of my tops are hitting the ceiling. I have two trellis nets already set up and have bent many branches through, and recently tried some supercropping and tying down, but they bounce back so quickly and I keep running out of space…

Now that we’ve passed the summer solstice, I’m a little worried about the timing for topping, but a few brown spots on new growth (from leaning against the ceiling/walls) have convinced me to just start hacking at the tops.

Any thoughts or recommendations? When is it too late to top? Should I do something else instead? Thanks in advance.
 
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bam0813

bam0813

Well-Known Member
My plants start their stretch around 1st or second week of August. That about 6 weeks away. Im in north east though thinking your timing is close. I would if i had to with 6 weeks of veg left but….
 
thumper60

thumper60

Well-Known Member
wiseguy187 said:
Hi all, can’t recall if I’ve posted before, but I’ve lurked for like a decade. I’ll try to keep this short but provide as much info as needed…

I’m in Northern California and growing several plants outdoor in a 12’ L x 6.5’ W x 6.5’ H greenhouse (mainly for privacy). I have grown outdoor before but generally in 5 gallon pots and in not the best sunlight. I planted bag seeds mid-March, and now at the end of the June, quite a few of my tops are hitting the ceiling. I have two trellis nets already set up and have bent many branches through, and recently tried some supercropping and tying down, but they bounce back so quickly and I keep running out of space…

Now that we’ve passed the summer solstice, I’m a little worried about the timing for topping, but a few brown spots on new growth (from leaning against the ceiling/walls) have convinced me to just start hacking at the tops.

Any thoughts or recommendations? When is it too late to top? Should I do something else instead? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
If you cant keep them off the poly its going to rot any way, I would get to hacking it still pretty early
 
W

wiseguy187

Active Member
Thanks for the replies. I have went ahead and cut down all the tallest branches, and snapped/tied down a few of the bushier tops that have the most growth. But those still only give me maybe 12-18” of clearance. Might these still be cause for worry in a few weeks? Trying to attach a few pics, but it’s a little tight in this greenhouse…
 

Attachments

Herb & Suds

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
wiseguy187 said:
Thanks for the replies. I have went ahead and cut down all the tallest branches, and snapped/tied down a few of the bushier tops that have the most growth. But those still only give me maybe 12-18” of clearance. Might these still be cause for worry in a few weeks? Trying to attach a few pics, but it’s a little tight in this greenhouse…
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The only choices I would have entertained were lose the greenhouse or snap the main stems a foot off the ground
literally every branch will reach for the roof and give you some time
 
W

wiseguy187

Active Member
Herb & Suds said:
The only choices I would have entertained were lose the greenhouse or snap the main stems a foot off the ground
literally every branch will reach for the roof and give you some time
Click to expand...
Maybe I’ll aim lower for other stems. I’m definitely not used to snapping branches or having a roof, and I’m in a new location (the neighbors would have visibility without the greenhouse; maybe they wouldn’t care, not sure yet). Hard for me to get this answer, but is topping counterproductive at this stage (since the days are getting shorter)?
 
TCH

TCH

Well-Known Member
wiseguy187 said:
Maybe I’ll aim lower for other stems. I’m definitely not used to snapping branches or having a roof, and I’m in a new location (the neighbors would have visibility without the greenhouse; maybe they wouldn’t care, not sure yet). Hard for me to get this answer, but is topping counterproductive at this stage (since the days are getting shorter)?
Click to expand...
I could be mistaken because I have little experience, but I think it would be less counter productive to bend, tie down, and top then to let them push up against the ceiling and end up with rot or mold from lack of air flow and holding moisture against it. Also, if I read correctly, you should still have a few weeks left of veg, so the plants should have no issues recovering before they need the juice for flowering. Of they are already this tall, just imagine how much they are going to shoot up when its time for the stretch. Best of luck to ya!!! I'm looking forward to updates.
 
Herb & Suds

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
wiseguy187 said:
Maybe I’ll aim lower for other stems. I’m definitely not used to snapping branches or having a roof, and I’m in a new location (the neighbors would have visibility without the greenhouse; maybe they wouldn’t care, not sure yet). Hard for me to get this answer, but is topping counterproductive at this stage (since the days are getting shorter)?
Click to expand...
Just reach down near the ground on one plant
Snap that main stem
It will hold together with the outside fibers
Then tie it horizontal to the ground tight
because when it recovers it is going to try and each up again
After a few days it will begin to recover and you'll have more confidence in doing the rest
You can do it
 
W

wiseguy187

Active Member
Thanks y’all for giving me some confidence and different options to try out. I love that lifted pic above, haha. I decided after this last week, when this year’s done, I’m definitely going to raise it up. It’d just be difficult at the moment, since the sides of my netting are connected to the greenhouse frame in addition to stakes, so if I lift it now I’m concerned I’ll break more than I intend to… I’m trying to work on a combination of all the suggestions, I appreciate the advice!

(Also, how do I react to comments on here?! I’ve tried clicking all around and found one comment about emojis in a toolbar up top, but I can’t seem to find that…)
 
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