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

Originally Posted by frankcooper

hey uncle ben, this is by far the best topping thread i have ever read. and you are so helpful with replying to every question. +rep.

im about to do my first bit of training ever. never did any type before but going to give topping a try. Can you tell me where exactly in the attached pics I should cut the stems to get 4 tops?

Seedling1 is about 4.5 inches tall, seedling2 is about 3.25 inches. I will let them grow some more, particularly the shorter one. I've marked the stems in the pics with blue and yellow boxes (only in blue on the smaller one as yellow node not grown yet). Is one of these the correct place to cut? Does the first set of true leaves correspond to the 1st node? Hopefully the pics come out as fullsize images and not just thumbnails.

seedling1.jpgseedling2.jpg

I'm no expert and I'm not uncle Ben but I've read this thread enough times to answer this I think.
First read the first five pages of the thread to make sure you get the concept of what your doing and then seedling #1 cut at the yellow line then seedling #2 should be right to cut at the blue line and you should get 4 main colas per plant. Remember not to cut too close to the node, hope that helps.

Are you sure because the 2 blue lines correspond to the same node in each plant. the blue line is between the 2nd and 3rd set of new leaves in both. the yellow is between the 3rd and 4th. I added some text and arrows to highlight this but im not sure how legible the text is. I would have thought that they need to be topped at the same point to get the 4 colas.

Originally Posted by frankcooper

Are you sure because the 2 blue lines correspond to the same node in each plant. the blue line is between the 2nd and 3rd set of new leaves in both. the yellow is between the 3rd and 4th. I added some text and arrows to highlight this but im not sure how legible the text is. I would have thought that they need to be topped at the same point to get the 4 colas.

Oh sorry mate I'm viewing the pics on a mobile and they weren't that clear so my bad. After blowing the picture up I see what you mean should be all good to chop at the blue lines, Once again sorry for the confusion. And sorry uncle Ben for sippin on your kool-aid I'll go back to reading the thread like a good little noob instead of answering questions.

Originally Posted by Paulielow

Oh sorry mate I'm viewing the pics on a mobile and they weren't that clear so my bad. After blowing the picture up I see what you mean should be all good to chop at the blue lines, Once again sorry for the confusion. And sorry uncle Ben for sippin on your kool-aid I'll go back to reading the thread like a good little noob instead of answering questions.

I bet UB doesnt really care man. He and others on this forum have answered that question 100+ times, just push people to read the first 5 pages, EVERYTHING is explained.

Originally Posted by WaxxyNuggets

I bet UB doesnt really care man. He and others on this forum have answered that question 100+ times, just push people to read the first 5 pages, EVERYTHING is explained.

I have read the first 5 pages. A few times in fact. What UB says is to top above the 2nd true node. In my original post I asked does the first set of true leaves correspond to the first true node? Nowhere in the first 5 pages says that. I took a photo of my seedlings, added text, arrows and coloured lines to help make certain that I understand where exactly to cut so that I dont mess up my crop.

you actually have the markings right on point!

Originally Posted by frankcooper

I have read the first 5 pages. A few times in fact. What UB says is to top above the 2nd true node. In my original post I asked does the first set of true leaves correspond to the first true node? Nowhere in the first 5 pages says that. I took a photo of my seedlings, added text, arrows and coloured lines to help make certain that I understand where exactly to cut so that I dont mess up my crop.

This is from page one " To get 4 main colas, let your seedling or cutting (clone) grow to about 5-6 nodes and pinch out (cut) the stem just above the 2nd true node. The node where the cotyledons attach doesn't count." my understanding of this would leave me to believe that the first set of true leaves corresponds with the first set of nodes, atleast that's how it reads to me. Hope that answers your question.

Originally Posted by Paulielow

This is from page one " To get 4 main colas, let your seedling or cutting (clone) grow to about 5-6 nodes and pinch out (cut) the stem just above the 2nd true node. The node where the cotyledons attach doesn't count." my understanding of this would leave me to believe that the first set of true leaves corresponds with the first set of nodes, atleast that's how it reads to me. Hope that answers your question.

Paulie I recall reading that and just wanted to be 100% certain. It does seem that the first set of true leaves is the first node. I'll cut at the blue line and earerly awaiting the development of 4 big fat colas. Thanks