Uncle Ben's 4 cola topping VS FIM

NanoGadget said:

It is a bushy strain, but I have noticed that this light really crushes if you have it too close to the canopy. I tend to run it 28 to 30 inches from the top of the plant during veg or it grows these short super dense bushes. I also switch to bloom spectrum about 2/3 of the way through veg to promote a little stretch.

Anyway, my plan is to use the UB 4 top method, grow it out a bit and see if it looks like I should top again.

So you're saying no LST with this method? Does it cause side branches to start trying to become dominant?

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Yeah no lst unless one top really out does the rest but that will be more of an issue from a cutting and uneven nodes rather than even node seed. If one top is way too dominant then bend at the point that is a similar level from the other 3 tops, just a gentle half arch kinda bend from that point up to the tip of the dominant top once daily so it will pop back up, not a hard or sharp bend you don't want to make anything close to a knuckle. It's probably better to wait until the plant is around 10-12+ inch before you do that. If the plant is really small like 5 inches the nodes may be too close together and you will have more chance of other nodes on the same branch becoming dom.

From seeds two of the tops opposing each other may be smaller than the other two tops. That's not so much a problem as they will stay uniformed in heights, it will be the lower node set that will be smaller than the upper node set or versa, maybe by 3-6 inches. When they are to go flower you can gently pull the entire branches of the higher tops directly away from each other (not too much) and they will start to match the same height of the smaller tops while opening the middle of plant up a little in the process. You will need to find your own way to keep those two branches held out. Or you can just leave them be if they are not that different in size, say a few inches. You may also draw the 2 smaller tops toward each other from the lower half of their stems slightly to gain an inch or so in height on the tops as long as it's not creating overlapping on leaves or looking like it's over all too compact.

Flowki said:

Yeah no lst unless one top really out does the rest but that will be more of an issue from a cutting and uneven nodes rather than even node seed. If one top is way too dominant then bend at the point that is a similar level from the other 3 tops, just a gentle half arch kinda bend from that point up to the tip of the dominant top once daily so it will pop back up, not a hard or sharp bend you don't want to make anything close to a knuckle. It's probably better to wait until the plant is around 10-12+ inch before you do that. If the plant is really small like 5 inches the nodes may be too close together and you will have more chance of other nodes on the same branch becoming dom.

From seeds two of the tops opposing each other may be smaller than the other two tops. That's not so much a problem as they will stay uniformed in heights, it will be the lower node set that will be smaller than the upper node set or versa, maybe by 3-6 inches. When they are to go flower you can gently pull the entire branches of the higher tops directly away from each other (not too much) and they will start to match the same height of the smaller tops while opening the middle of plant up a little in the process. You will need to find your own way to keep those two branches held out. Or you can just leave them be if they are not that different in size, say a few inches. You may also draw the 2 smaller tops toward each other slightly to gain an inch or so height on them so long as it's not creating overlapping on leaves or looking like it's over all too compact.

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Thanks a lot! Once again, a lot of good info! I'll be putting most of it to use I'm sure. Check out my grow journal if you want to follow along for the ride. https://www.rollitup.org/t/papaya-single-plant-rdwc-led.931206/

So I'm getting to my 5th or 6th node right now, which brings me to my question. I've always counted the first leaves after the cotyledon (like the single, non-compound leaf) as the first node. But I just had someone tell me the they count the set above that, being the first node with compound leaves, as the first node. I'm going to top (uncle bens 4 top method) in the next day or two so I need to get this resolved. Thanks!

Anybody? I'll provide a free dose of gratitude and respect for input on this..

NanoGadget said:

I've always counted the first leaves after the cotyledon (like the single, non-compound leaf) as the first node.

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That's how you're supposed to do it.
First leaf set = first node. That's where your lower set of branches (colas) will come from.
Oh and just so you know. Sometimes the lower 2 colas stay short and lag behind the top 2 mains. You can remedy that by just LSTing the top ones down. The trick is to catch it right from the start.

I'd say LST all the way. But different strokes for different folks people do great with every style best to look around and find the best style for you. Vertical does look pretty nice too.