can you cut back a plant?

Hey I've got some plants that I'm waiting to flower (i'm moving) and they are getting too big. Can I cut them back? I would like to chop them to under 12 inches. Right now they are 24 inches. 400hps healthy plants.

Will the root system still function at 100 percent and support the remaining plant or does the root system lessen it's productivity due to a reduction in plant mass.

Either way, can I do it? Or should I flower 3 foot trees? Thanks.

I wouldnt. but if you do do it I'd make myself some new clones from the tops instead of wasting them.

I'll disagree and say they'll be fine. You'd basically be topping them, which shouldn't hurt them at all. Plus, the root mass will be overdeveloped for supporting the remaining foliage, so they should recover quickly. Just as long as you have at least a week for them to recover and grow new main tops,(before going to 12/12) they'll be a-okay, IMO.

jawbrodt said:

I'll disagree and say they'll be fine. You'd basically be topping them, which shouldn't hurt them at all. Plus, the root mass will be overdeveloped for supporting the remaining foliage, so they should recover quickly. Just as long as you have at least a week for them to recover and grow new main tops,(before going to 12/12) they'll be a-okay, IMO.

Click to expand...

X2. You should see the damage I do to my plants all at once and they recover quickly. Evidence of damage and recovery can be found in my journal. One plant just had 10 clones taken from it less than a week ago and they are already growing in new foliage.

You could also just top them and super crop the remaining branches, grow 2 ft tall trees!

Well yes I will clone from the cuttings. I did the supercrop thing last round. So what I will do is top the plants. take off about 6-7 inches then supercrop the main stem. That will take care of the trees and make them bushes. Thanks.


Any other comments?

If your plant is too tall, tie it down as apposed to cutting her back. If you cut her back, you'd be smart to give her a few more weeks of veg to allow her to recover and to get some steady growth out of the remaining shoots. I doubt you want to add a few more weeks to your time-frame which is why you sould tie her down today and flower tomorrow.