anberlin - The new growth nodes will grow out asymmetrically or offset like in the pictures. The old non-alternating branch nodes do not change and remain symmetrical. If that makes more sense?
When plants are young and in veg they will grow symetrical(sp?) nodes. Put your wrist together and open your hands wide, your hands being the leaves. As the plant ages and enters maturity/early flower the nodes begin to alternate. Put your right wrist halfway down your left forearm and open your hands. Alternating nodes "stager" if I may use such a term. That might make no sense at all, but its the best way I could explain it with words.
anberlin - The new growth nodes will grow out asymmetrically or offset like in the pictures. The old non-alternating branch nodes do not change and remain symmetrical. If that makes more sense?
Is there any way to initiate the altering nodes sooner perhaps by keeping the light closer to the top of the plant or by topping the plant so as to create more budding sites??? Im hoping there is a way to do this so as to keep a plant small in a small stealth growbox
Hey greenboblin - I wouldn't put much concern into when alternating nodes start on any plant. However, if you want to keep a plant small most people start the seedlings out at 12/12 lighting so that they vegetatively grow very little before going almost straight into flowering.
Keeping the lights as close as possible without burning the plant with heat will prevent stretched-out growth. True.
Topping a plant to reduce it's vertical growth is another thing that can work. True.