Too small to top?

She's 5wks with 5+ nodes, about 6" tall. I was going to top above the 5th node, but my friend who is a grower said she's too small. This is a photoperiod plant on a rooftop, so the bushier and shorter the better... I've seen a lot of plants at 5wks a lot taller than her though, so I don't wanna top if she's not ready. Also was wondering if I should wait until after she shows sex? She was just put in her final 30 gal pot and given first feeding of fish emulsion and top dressed w worm castings so I'm hoping she starts really taking off! Anyway thank you!

I top on the 3rd node, She isn't too small, pinch away my man. I.pinch up to 2-3 times and every 3rd node to grow wider and shorter.

Massachusetts86 said:

I top on the 3rd node, She isn't too small, pinch away my man. I.pinch up to 2-3 times and every 3rd node to grow wider and shorter.

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I recommend against pinching tops off if you plan to combine the topping with LST training. If you want to LST after, leave a portion of the stem above where you top. Otherwise you can end up with a split stalk.

Thanks for the quick replies! I was thinking about topping and LST to keep her low, but rethinking after seeing the split stalk. Maybe do multiple tops like suggested above. Thanks again, will be topping today!

Rant Byron said:

Thanks for the quick replies! I was thinking about topping and LST to keep her low, but rethinking after seeing the split stalk. Maybe do multiple tops like suggested above. Thanks again, will be topping today!

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I would still LST after topping but just leave a portion of the stem above the node where you top.

If you wanna top, its a good idea to let the two sidebranches get started, else it can stunt the plant up to a week. Should have given mine a day more but its fine



Number 2 is more fortunate but still not great.

twentyeight.threefive said:

I would still LST after topping but just leave a portion of the stem above the node where you top.

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Definitely agree on continuing lst. Take caution like twenty eight said prior because the plant is much more vulnerable, slow and steady.

Always keep a little of the stem where you top. Twenty eight knows what he's talking about. I still lst after topping but like I said...slow and steady.

And the top can split, so yea as above leave a stem.

Definitely do it. I topped mine at the third node when it had five and was about the size of yours. When I cut it there were no secondary branches just tiny leaf tips, it immediately bushed out so nice.

This is six days after topping it. I couldn’t believe the growth, it was just fan leaves when I did it.

Joeykamma said:

If you wanna top, its a good idea to let the two sidebranches get started, else it can stunt the plant up to a week. Should have given mine a day more but its fine

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Number 2 is more fortunate but still not great.

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I mean no disrespect, but what are you talking about my man? It has to do with leaving some of the stalk your pinching absolutely nothing to do with the side branches under it. Im asking sincerely, where is this thought coming from?

Sorry ive seen a reckogised youtube grower just bend the top off. I wasent aware it could split I guess i have to take a step back and admit im not always right. Thats why 2 heads are better than 1 and 3 is even better. And i still believe you save time to let the two new main colas get started first
Maybe i didnt have the best approach but learned alot these past few weeks
And thanks for not flaming my ass

Joeykamma said:

Sorry ive seen a reckogised youtube grower just bend the top off. I wasent aware it could split I guess i have to take a step back and admit im not always right. Thats why 2 heads are better than 1 and 3 is even better. And i still believe you save time to let the two new main colas get started first
Maybe i didnt have the best approach but learned alot these past few weeks
And thanks for not flaming my ass

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Absolutely no problem at all I just wanted to see where your head was at. I've grown for a long time and up until this last year I have to admit myself im not sure I really knew shit lol. I was humbled by twentyeight getting into it with him about some sort of ego bullshit of mine and thought he was an asshhole and full of himself ( with respect 28!) ....then we had a conversation....then he showed me pictures of his work...I knew two things from that moment on...1.) I was full of myself and being an asshole. And
2.) I could learn a lot from a grower who's only done it 1 year. Since then I've laid back and the results are amazing. Dont be afraid to put yourself out there if it means learning.. have a great day my.man my

lf you only lst you dont stunt her, she will branch out without topping, l only top by accident. While being too aggressive with lst. If outdoors bend plant to north, sun will fill it out amazingly. Tieing down top below main srem will release the hormone that prevents branching.

Was that supposed to say encourage branching? Or will pulling the top down too far prevent it?

A.k.a said:

Was that supposed to say encourage branching? Or will pulling the top down too far prevent it?

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By bending the top it promotes the under branches to grow higher. The idea is to create an iver even canopy so you have a much more desirable harvest. All the buds get even light and minimal undergrowth, bigger better buds

i bend the top when it can reach the side of my bucket. When the under branches get tall enough to reach a side of the bucket you tie that down...repeat the process. Opens the center and exposes more light to everything..results are amazing if you do it right. The branches are usually flexible enough to where it should not be a problem further into maturity the plant doesn't bend so easy...snapping happens that way

Ok that’s what I thought. The post above mine said bending the top lower than the main prevents branching.

I figured it was a typo.

I topped her yesterday afternoon, leaving a bit of stalk above the 5th node, and I swear she seems to have grown out a tiny bit already, maybe it's just cuz she's a tad shorter lol. I was also wondering about these crinkled looking leaves? They were like this before topping, always looked kinda funny. She is in full sun the whole day so I was worried maybe it's "too much" sun if there is such a thing...
Also I do plan on LST once she's tall enough to reach the sides of her pot.