Which node to make the chop?

[Ozjet68]

So probably a noob indoor question but what’s the opinion on when best to top indoors to contain upward and encourage outward growth or is it a case of strains etc being a stretchy strain you may top earlier than say a bushy strain maybe you can leave longer ? Any ideas

 

[Hust17]

So probably a noob indoor question but what’s the opinion on when best to top indoors to contain upward and encourage outward growth or is it a case of strains etc being a stretchy strain you may top earlier than say a bushy strain maybe you can leave longer ? Any ideas

I usually like to top fairly early, anywhere between node 3-6 depending on how the nodes look. Depends how many arms you want in the end but 4-8 is pretty standard so look to keep 2-4 of the nicest earliest nodes.

Then you can actually spread the top growth leaves and bend that little baby growth in the middle to the side and it will break off super clean with very little stress induced to the plant. I just learned that little trick, seems nicer than chopping the top

 

[Ozjet68]

I usually like to top fairly early, anywhere between node 3-6 depending on how the nodes look. Depends how many arms you want in the end but 4-8 is pretty standard so look to keep 2-4 of the nicest earliest nodes.

Then you can actually spread the top growth leaves and bend that little baby growth in the middle to the side and it will break off super clean with very little stress induced to the plant. I just learned that little trick, seems nicer than chopping the top

Cheers mate . Yeah I was thinking between 4-6 which appears to be the most seen

 

[H.A.F.]

I like to let them get to 6-8 nodes showing before I top it. The important part is letting the roots get established with all the leaves still on beforehand.

 

[Ozjet68]

I like to let them get to 6-8 nodes showing before I top it. The important part is letting the roots get established with all the leaves still on beforehand.

So I’m guessing the root establishment allows for a fast recovery and tolerance to being topped yeah ?

 

[H.A.F.]

So I’m guessing the root establishment allows for a fast recovery and tolerance to being topped yeah ?

yahtzee!

 

[H.A.F.]

I top everything, and it's usually around the 30-day mark.

 

[H.A.F.]

Oh, and by 6-8 nodes, that counts the itty-bitty ones just starting.

 

[Ozjet68]

Oh, and by 6-8 nodes, that counts the itty-bitty ones just starting.

Yep got it and same . To me a node is a node , itty bitty or log

 

[TheSadVeryBadMadGrower]

I usually remove the very first node and top between 4 and 5. This way I get 6 side nodes and then top those 1 time each as well. You can't really go wrong with where you decide though as long as the plant is in somewhat ok shape prior to the cut.

 

[H.A.F.]

FWIW, look at what will be remaining after you top and see if that looks like a plant yet. Can it support itself.

 

[sfrigon1]

I do it early and allow the new nodes time to grow apart. Second or third

 

[treefarmercharlie]

Pretty much the same as what’s been said...I wait until mine get 6 or more nodes, top above the 3rd, then remove the nodes below that, but I leave the leaves at those lower nodes. Those leaves will get removed eventually, but I figure leaving them will provide the plant with more energy to help with the healing.

 

[TheSadVeryBadMadGrower]

try different methods out too....some modifications for one strain, might not be the best for another strain.

 

[Hust17]

No chop method, bend small growth tip to side and it will easily snap off leaving the node intact.

 

[sfrigon1]

Why would I tell a plant to do one thing its whole life and then switch at the last second I'd rather it spend its early life concentrating on side growth, that what we are trying to accomplish why let the plant think it's going to do something else it's whole life and then chop its top off. Just curious obviously this is just my opinion

 

[sfrigon1]

The answer to this question truly is dependent upon your growing style let's be honest

 

[treefarmercharlie]

Why would I tell a plant to do one thing its whole life and then switch at the last second I'd rather it spend its early life concentrating on side growth, that what we are trying to accomplish why let the plant think it's going to do something else it's whole life and then chop its top off. Just curious obviously this is just my opinion

I used to top earlier but then tried doing it later. They all have seemed to recover and grow much faster when I do it later so I’ve just stuck with that.

 

[TheSadVeryBadMadGrower]

( inserts " he's right you know " meme )

 

[H.A.F.]

try different methods out too....some modifications for one strain, might not be the best for another strain.

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I do your method on some, and manifold on the other, and limit my plants to 4 tops just so I have more room.

The manifold takes about 2 weeks longer to get 4 tops ready to flip, and produces more bulk
(probably because of the longer veg more than the manifold)