Uncle Ben's Topping Technique to Get 2 or 4 Main Colas

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woolypudding69

woolypudding69

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Uncle Ben said:
woolypudding69, just responded and like I said, I'd go for it. Should be interesting.

Tio
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Im thinking Im going to do it. It makes sense to me that if a regular plant puts out four tops above the second node and can sustain those four colas pretty well, then my plant should put out 6 and be able to handle those as if it were a regular plant putting out four. At least it makes sense to me, lol.
Im looking forward to seeing what happens. Ive never topped a plant, Ive always used LST. The 5th node is just coming out of my plant, and its 16 days old. Should I wait until the 5th node is a little further out and the leaves spread, or do you think Id be good to go??
 
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born2killspam

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What lattitude are you at, and are the characteristics of this more sativaish or indica?? I definately want to know how it turns out..
 
woolypudding69

woolypudding69

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Around 45th latitude, its a Indica strain I believe. It has nice fat leaves as big as my thumb. I was told its Kush. Im just unsure as to if I should wait for the leaves on the fifth node to spread out or if I could go ahead and top it now. The fifth set is there and I can see all 5 leaves on each branch, they just havent spread out yet.
 
woolypudding69

woolypudding69

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Just topped it and am using the cutting as a clone. First time doing both so hope all works out well. Not too worried about the topping, just wonder if my cutting will actually root. Keep your fingers crossed! I want to keep this triploid strain alive as long as possible! Especially if its a female! 33% more yield!
 
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born2killspam

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Don't give it too much light, don't give it too much water, don't give it any nutes.. It should root, main stalk cuttings are tough to fail with..
 
woolypudding69

woolypudding69

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I have it sitting in water, held up by saran wrap, off to the side of my grow area so that no direct light is hitting it. Should I put it in a little peat pot instead or just wait till it starts to root in the water?
 
Uncle Ben

Uncle Ben

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woolypudding69 said:
I have some peat pots but the cutting was so short Im not sure if it would be stable in it yet...but Im totally open to all suggestions.
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Here's a ditty I wrote years ago.

Select a cutting on the mother plant with two or three healthy nodes. Pinch off the leaf petioles (leaf stems) on the bottom node as close to the main stem as possible - this will be the main future rooting area - roots will be produced from this axial bud site and along the stem. The remaining one or two nodes above this point, with their healthy leafsets, will provide food via photosynthesis for the ensuing root growth below.

Within a short period of time, after these wounds have healed over, cut off the clone with a sterile razor blade, knife, etc. about 1/2" or so below the bottom node, doesn't have to be done under water, just cut where it's convenient for you. Immediately dip the bottom node and stem in Rootone-F or a similiar rooting material which contains a fungicide, place into a rockwool cube or hole punched into the soil, deep enough to support the cutting while allowing for ample root growth in the near future. Close the hole with your fingers working the medium towards the stem, water to settle the soil around the submerged stem, and place in strong indirect light, providing plenty of humidity by whatever method you're comfortable with....misting, plastic bag, dome, etc. allowing some air exchange. Fresh air can be provided by taking a lit cigarette and burning a dozen holes in a large clear plastic bag placed over the cutting, or if you use a dome, by lifting the clear dome once in a while. Bottom line is, the cutting requires close to 100% RH. Common sense dictates that the plant has no means of water uptake and will incur moisture loss thru the leaves, so you must reduce excessive moisture loss by providing an environment of high humidity until roots start growing from the bottom node and the stem that had been placed below ground level.

The cutting will have droopy leaves and stems for a while, this is normal. As you see things perk up, pot up. Provide plenty of fresh air and don't expose to sun or strong direct light until you are sure you have a nice root flush, as that will only dessicate the cutting further.

Be sure to maintain sanitary conditions. Do not dip the cutting into the entire rooting compound; remove enough rooting agent from its original container to use for one cloning session.

Good luck,
Uncle Ben
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woolypudding69

woolypudding69

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Good one!

Well, I didnt do everything in there. I cut above the second node, took my cutting and peeled off the branches from the 3rd node, recut the stem with a 45 degree angle, stuck it in water and placed it where it would be in non direct light. Ive misted it twice. I just went and checked on it and I see 2 spots where rooting has begun. I havent had any wilting or drooping. When I woke them up this morning, the leaves were actually reaching up!! I dont know what the deal is, but this triploid has been insane, growing faster than the other two it broke ground with, growing bushier. The topped plant even seemed to take being topped without a hitch. Growth continues as normal! God I hope this is a female! Be the last plant I ever raise, because it will be cloned forever!!
 
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born2killspam

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Sounds like a positive response obviously.. Seems a little too quick to be showing roots, or even calluses yet though, are you sure about that one??
 
woolypudding69

woolypudding69

Active Member
Im pretty sure they are the starts of roots. It was a smooth cut and now there are two little elongating protrusions coming off of the bottom. Im not surprised really, because this plant has been exceptional from the start. But Ill keep an eye on it and update tomorrow. I could be wrong, wouldnt be the first time, but Im pretty sure, from what I see, that they are the starts of roots. Could always be wishful thinking.
 
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born2killspam

Well-Known Member
Well if you can get 558.75g/Watt using cfl who am I to dispute??:) Maybe calluses do form quickly, like I said, I've always planted.. I did soak though, and sometimes left them days without noticing that..
 
woolypudding69

woolypudding69

Active Member
Lol, i wish I could get that kind of yield out of a watt!
This is my first time trying to clone, so I may be seeing things wrong. All I know is that it was a nice smooth cut and now there are two nipple like protrusions coming from the cut. Still no wilting of the leaves tho...
However things turn out, Im just trying to get experience and knowledge. And as much smoke as possible, lol!
 
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orchidboy

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Gentlemen - hats off, and a cyber nod to you both-
after several hours of reading I've finally arrived here - I cannot thank you enough for the enlightening information-
and the patience you've taken to answer most questions-
Being involved in the organic farming industry myself - I cannot agree with you more regarding your thoughts - or at least what you mentioned regarding organic growing-
many of us in the food industry are breaking away and embracing a more "bio-rationale" approach - and yes, if a little malathion will preserve a crop then heck - which makes more sense? all the while still keeping in harmony with my soil-
I think of myself as more of a soil farmer - grow soil and from there - one can grow many things-
anyhow - I've read Tio Bens mix recipes - and I am curious as to what your preferred method is BTKS -
with this crop in particular I am fairly new - but between my worm farm, compost teas and other natural voodoo - I have had pretty satisfying results-
but - knowledge is power and being open to experimenting and such - I am curious to know what you use for soil - or wait, now that I think abut it - perhaps you don't?
either way - again - my sincerest thanks - orchid.
 
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born2killspam

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Since I started doing soil inside I've always used dirt from outside.. Some from grassland, some loamy stuff from low lying deciduous forest typically.. Into that I'd toss a varied recipe of compost, perlite, lime (I ended up adopting a reaction process with lime & H2O2 that converts them to calcium peroxide, which yields the same benefit as lime and very slowly decomposes O2 into the soil), peat, seaweed mulch, bone/bloodmeals.. It depended on availability season-wise since I'd rather improvise than go to the hydro-store.. In around 25 crops I don't think I ever duplicated an exact mix.. From there I tried a plethora of fertilizers both chemical and organic..
 
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