How often do you cut growing shoots?

Buzzin like a bumble bee

Well-Known Member
During flowering, how often do you cut the growing shoots? I know that you should cut them in the very beginning of flowering, but then how often after that? Thanks!
 

laskabud

Well-Known Member
Why are you "cutting" them? To make more flowers? All you will get is more "smaller" flowers, not more poundage, so to speak. You don't need to "cut" them after they start to flower. You only slow them down a bit as they try to heal the wounds you have inflicted upon them. Leave 'em alone, let 'em flower unmolested!
 

Buzzin like a bumble bee

Well-Known Member
But then what is the point of topping? Let's say you want all of the energy to go to 3 or 4 top buds. You don't care about the little ones at the bottom. That is what I am saying.
 

VictorVIcious

Well-Known Member
Al B Fuct in his thread How to get a harvest every two weeks says he cut of the bottom 1/3 about three weeks into flowering if I remember right. VV
 

laskabud

Well-Known Member
As plants flower, you can strip off the lower branches and in that way get more sugars to go to the tops, yes! This is not "topping". (and these cuts off the lower part of a plant make great clones, even three weeks into bloom). Your use of the word "topping" says you are cutting off the tops of the stems. Don't! Don't "top" the plants after once or twice and only during the early part of the veg cycle as this only traumatizes the plant each time and slows it down. You top to increase branching and/or to keep a plant lower to fit a small area. BUT, you also decrease the size of buds by doing this. Which is no biggee if you are interested in quantity in the end because you end up with about the same amount no matter what the size of the buds. It's just cool to get some monsters and you won't if you top! But by all means, strip off a few of the bottoms as that usually ends up pop-corn buds at best, anyway. And, once you have cut those bottom branches off, they don't grow back. Make sure you make a clean cut next to the stem. Use a steril razor blade or tiny pair scissors.
 

midgradeindasouth

Well-Known Member
During flowering, how often do you cut the growing shoots? I know that you should cut them in the very beginning of flowering, but then how often after that? Thanks!

Welcome Buzzin.

I personally do not like to cut unless I have limited space.
This will stunt and slow your plant.

As for cutting the bottom 1/3 of the branches off.
This should be done before flower or maybe within the first week of 12/12.

What this is doing is allowing more energy to go to the colas (main bud)development.
This type of growing is usually called sog(sea of green)
The clear cutting of these leaves and branches also gives you better light penetration and better air circulation.

Happy growing
 

laskabud

Well-Known Member
Welcome Buzzin.

I personally do not like to cut unless I have limited space.
This will stunt and slow your plant.

As for cutting the bottom 1/3 of the branches off.
This should be done before flower or maybe within the first week of 12/12.

What this is doing is allowing more energy to go to the colas (main bud)development.
This type of growing is usually called sog(sea of green)
The clear cutting of these leaves and branches also gives you better light penetration and better air circulation.

Happy growing
You have to be careful stripping the fan leaves in this process as that is how a lot of the THC-carrying sugars are produced. You would be amazed at how close plants can be grown and still produce a bunch of fine buds. If you do take the bottom branches, obviously look for the ones that are wimpy and gangly. Leave the ones that are robust as they will produce some larger buds. Make clones of anything you clip, even into the third week of flower.
 

Buzzin like a bumble bee

Well-Known Member
I Don't Like Dealing With The Popcorn Buds. I Want All The Energy To Go To The Top 3 Or 4 Colas. That Is The Whole Reason Why I Have Been Cutting The Growing Shoots Near The Bottom Of The Plant. So What Should I Do? Thanks For All The Feedback Guys!
 

VictorVIcious

Well-Known Member
You should make a decision. Follow someones advice, track the results. If your not happy with the results try something else.VV
 

laskabud

Well-Known Member
I Don't Like Dealing With The Popcorn Buds. I Want All The Energy To Go To The Top 3 Or 4 Colas. That Is The Whole Reason Why I Have Been Cutting The Growing Shoots Near The Bottom Of The Plant. So What Should I Do? Thanks For All The Feedback Guys!
Like I said, cut off the bottom branches if they appear wimpy but make clones out of them. You can cut off lower branches up to the harvest stage but try to do it in the first three or four weeks of flowering. But leave the fan leaves unless they appear dead.
 
Top