Can i Top them or its too late?

So its my first grow and im a bit confused about when to top


(Sorry for the far from plant pics, my camera didn't let me take any close-up's.)
So every topping guide says to cut off the new node in middle and shows 2 new shoot's by its sides:

So im a bit confused, is it OK to top it now, i missed the chance, or i should wait a bit until the new node grows taller.
i want to start vegging the plant by end of this month and would like to have it topped.
Any experienced grower can comment on this?

You can certainly top it

Yep, too late is after bud already started forming, top or fim away.

You can top it down as low as you'd like. If you have a cloner i would top down far enough to give the clone a decent stem, when your plant grows a bit of course

I like to use an older plant myself but you can take one from one of yours by the looks of them, My rule is if they have more than 3 branches on them you shouldn't have a problem good luck , Just make sure you have enough to have a node under and a couple above IMO. Happy Grow

I guess you didn't understand my question, can i Top it NOW? i mean i don't have those small shoots developed right by the new set and have 2 big leaf sets already opening up, so if i top it now, those 2 big leaf sets will develop into branches or i should wait?
i dont want to stunt my grow.

Yes you can top it now that will start the nodes either side of the top to became 2 tops

My question is: Does it depend on the type of plant you have as to whether you top it or not? I mean if you are not looking to make clones, then do you have to keep it topped or do you just let some grow on their own? Well, I guess they would get pretty wirey and spindly if you didn't top them, huh?

-- Remember- I'm a newbie and my seeds are on the way. So I will have to know a lot before they get here. It's a lot to take in from a lot of dif growers with a lot of dif opinions.

Silky T said:

My question is: Does it depend on the type of plant you have as to whether you top it or not? I mean if you are not looking to make clones, then do you have to keep it topped or do you just let some grow on their own? Well, I guess they would get pretty wirey and spindly if you didn't top them, huh?

-- Remember- I'm a newbie and my seeds are on the way. So I will have to know a lot before they get here. It's a lot to take in from a lot of dif growers with a lot of dif opinions.

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i didn't fully understand the question, but some strains can get less yield after topping (mine shouldn't), im not looking to making any clones.

CannabisGanja said:

i didn't fully understand the question, but some strains can get less yield after topping (mine shouldn't), im not looking to making any clones.

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The question is: Do all plants have to be topped? If I remember correctly, we didn't top or cut the last two plants we grew outside and they both grew to about 4.5 feet and thick as hell. I don't remember the yield but it was awesome.

CannabisGanja said:

I guess you didn't understand my question, can i Top it NOW? i mean i don't have those small shoots developed right by the new set and have 2 big leaf sets already opening up, so if i top it now, those 2 big leaf sets will develop into branches or i should wait?
i dont want to stunt my grow.

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I guess you didnt understand the very first reply to your thread. Yes. You can top it now.

By the way, the plant is genetically predisposed to yield what is capable of yielding. Topping is beneficial in that it simply disperses the canopy out a bit more, albeit into smaller tops.
I dont even bother topping or (cringe) "Fimming" anymore, and instead simply take a piece of tape and tape down the main growth tip to the side of the container. Once the less dominant growth has responded appropriately, I simply pull the tape and let the new tops remain uniform. Accomplishes the exact same goal without having to wait for a healing period.

Dankfactory said:

I guess you didnt understand the very first reply to your thread. Yes. You can top it now.

By the way, the plant is genetically predisposed to yield what is capable of yielding. Topping is beneficial in that it simply disperses the canopy out a bit more, albeit into smaller tops.
I dont even bother topping or (cringe) "Fimming" anymore, and instead simply take a piece of tape and tape down the main growth tip to the side of the container. Once the less dominant growth has responded appropriately, I simply pull the tape and let the new tops remain uniform. Accomplishes the exact same goal without having to wait for a healing period.

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That's exactly the answer to my question. Answers a lot of my questions actually EXCEPT i can't even picture what you are talking about with the tape. I've just never seen it done. You guys are light years ahead of me in this field. I can only hope for the best with what I have to work with. Car in shop, license in suspended animation because of medical issue last july, (didn't hit me til I went to renew last month and they said I had an issue with medical from a near accident in july-waiting on letter of ok), husband on life support in hospital for 4 months, son lives in Virginia and depressed. But I'm doing something to not only keep my mind from going bonkers but learning new things and enjoying what I CAN do instead of what I can't.

CannabisGanja said:

i didn't fully understand the question, but some strains can get less yield after topping (mine shouldn't), im not looking to making any clones.

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Yes you Can top it now , I my 35 years of growing I have topped them that small, But it seems to slow them down for a week or two. But It will be fine just may slow down for a bit. and some I don't even top. good luck happy grow

Silky T said:

That's exactly the answer to my question. Answers a lot of my questions actually EXCEPT i can't even picture what you are talking about with the tape. I've just never seen it done. You guys are light years ahead of me in this field. I can only hope for the best with what I have to work with. Car in shop, license in suspended animation because of medical issue last july, (didn't hit me til I went to renew last month and they said I had an issue with medical from a near accident in july-waiting on letter of ok), husband on life support in hospital for 4 months, son lives in Virginia and depressed. But I'm doing something to not only keep my mind from going bonkers but learning new things and enjoying what I CAN do instead of what I can't.

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basically you want to move the main stem of the plant so its not blocking all of the growth below it. You do this by tying the plant to the side. Look up LST methods. Theres a picture from google. Just seperate the branches so the light can evenly disperse.

I am sure sorry to hear about your situation, If you need any help there are many people here that have great advise. I wish I could help you out more , The gardening can sure make time pass a bit faster, on an average day I spend up to 4 hours in my G.R. and have been for many years and I love it , seems to never get old, And I love to help others as much as my knowledge is limited to a soil medium, But it the years I have seen many things that can help the learning Curve. And I am sorry about the topping Issue I just assumed you were going to make Clones off Her. Good Luck

jkwrestling13 said:

basically you want to move the main stem of the plant so its not blocking all of the growth below it. You do this by tying the plant to the side. Look up LST methods. Theres a picture from google. Just seperate the branches so the light can evenly disperse.

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What is that ? LOL

jkwrestling13 said:

basically you want to move the main stem of the plant so its not blocking all of the growth below it. You do this by tying the plant to the side. Look up LST methods. Theres a picture from google. Just seperate the branches so the light can evenly disperse.

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SilkyT: I was going to go take a photo of the tape method I use but this is essentially the same. See how the main top is tied down? You want to ensure its tied down below some other branches that you feel will perform well as new tops. This isn't simply to encourage more light into the lower canopy by the way. You're actually inducing a chemical reaction by doing this which is loosely known as Auxin Redistribution. To put it simply, the secondary branching all think they are now the new Tops, so energy is redistributed. To accomplish this you really need to ensure the main top(s) are tied or taped below some of the lateral branching.
Going back to the Tape: I prefer this over tieing down because it's way faster and easier. You need a quality tape though. I like the 3M Blue heavy duty masking painters tape. I just tape down across the blade of the main growth and tape her down to the side. Basically the same concept as what is pictured here

Bear420 said:

What is that ? LOL

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That's just Jkwrestling redistributing auxins. Like a Boss.

Bear420 said:

What is that ? LOL

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lol not my plant, just a visual.

Drink Milk Peace all I have seen that in my grow book and what I have read it brings great results. I have never tried that but I may be something I will have to try, see how it works.