Topping help

Just wondering... when is a good time to top plants? I am in week 3 or veg. I'm planning on two more weeks of veg then its on to flower. also give me ideas on topping videos for technique. thanks in advance

this is where I learned how to top
https://www.rollitup.org/advanced-marijuana-cultivation/151706-uncle-bens-topping-technique-get.html

i usually top anywhere above the 5th node...but you can do it b4 then if u please really up to you...follow UB's guide

This might sound really dumb. But idk what the hell a node is. Explain.

A node is where the plant branches off to form new leaves.

i read that post and am as lost as ever

View attachment 2269223

maybe this will help

no i got the node part. what i still don't get is exactly where to cut on these plants. lol

A node is where each new set of leaves/branches form, you want to cut at the inter-node (the space between both sets of leaves). It's very easy just don't cut any leaves or new branch growth. I usually top my plants right above the second set of leaves then again a few weeks later when the main branches have fully formed.

ok... here are my plants.... where do i cut? lol

Those plants are both the perfect age to start topping. I see about 5 sets of leaves on both plants. I would top them above the 4rd set, right above the first set of 5-bladed leaves. It will allow the new branch growth to receive direct light and it will grow 4-6 main tops.

so let me get this straight..... start from the bottom of the plant..... count up...... and cut between the 4th and 5th set of leaves???? is that right???? and will this work if i already lollipopped?

The plants are a bit young to start lollipopping. You should wait until the branches fully form first, but yeah start from the bottom and count up, or just cut right above the first set of 5-bladed leaves.

you see where you got new leaves growing in? cut between that and the set below it and forget about it. i don't think about it any more I just start hackin shit up.

So cut the newest set of leaves off? I can do that for sure.

Basically yes, but if you cut the top-most set of leaves be careful not to accidentally cut the new branch growth right below. This is actually a technique called FIMing that when done correctly can create 4 new branches instead of 2, but if done incorrectly it can damage the plants. It's safer to go 1 node lower so you don't damage any potential branches.