How early can you start topping??? + rep for good info

GoldenGanja13

Well-Known Member
Wow, did I say Uncle Henry's LOL. That's a local business. I meant Uncle Ben's. Like the rice. LOL Here's the link again, so we're all on the right page. (pun intended)
https://www.rollitup.org/advanced-marijuana-cultivation/151706-uncle-bens-topping-technique-get.html

And Ty GG. You mentioned trying it with clones? It will only work to make 4 tops if the clones are not yet producing alternating nodes.
Yeah I went down and looked at my clones and tryed to figure that out?
I only clone from mature plants. So maybe next time. Thanks for posting link though. I am sure many will look and maybe try.
 

Hairy Bob

Well-Known Member
I take clones from mature plants, so the nodes are alternating from the soil up.
A couple of weeks ago I selected a pair that were as like as two peas, and cut one above the fourth node, leaving just four short branches. The other I have left to it's own devices, as a control. They had a further week of veg after that, and went into flowering last Sunday, both of them have really taken off!
The topped one has had to be elevated somewhat, as her sister had a bit of a height advantage, but she is doing well. Each of her branches is about 5-6" long, and all spreading apart nicely from the centre. One of the branches is slightly ahead of the others, by an inch or so. I'm not sure whether to tie it down so they are all the same height or let it be. If it gets much further ahead (which I suspect it will do) I'll have to restrain that bitch.
I'm not quite sure where you're coming from with this idea that it will only create four tops if the nodes are opposite each other.
 

itsgrowinglikeaweed

Well-Known Member
I take clones from mature plants, so the nodes are alternating from the soil up.
A couple of weeks ago I selected a pair that were as like as two peas, and cut one above the fourth node, leaving just four short branches. The other I have left to it's own devices, as a control. They had a further week of veg after that, and went into flowering last Sunday, both of them have really taken off!
The topped one has had to be elevated somewhat, as her sister had a bit of a height advantage, but she is doing well. Each of her branches is about 5-6" long, and all spreading apart nicely from the centre. One of the branches is slightly ahead of the others, by an inch or so. I'm not sure whether to tie it down so they are all the same height or let it be. If it gets much further ahead (which I suspect it will do) I'll have to restrain that bitch.
I'm not quite sure where you're coming from with this idea that it will only create four tops if the nodes are opposite each other.
Well, I've posted the link to where I'm coming from lol.
What we are talking about here is making 4 MAIN colas. The key word here being MAIN. And by "main" we mean they are ALL lead growing tips containing all the hormones that a "main" growing tip contains.
Sure you can top a clone to get more than one top. you can even top it so as to get 4 tops. But like you said, one of your tops (branches) is already growing faster than the others. this is your "main" top and I'm betting you will only have one of them, not 4. With Uncle Ben's topping method you will have 4 "main" colas that all grow the same rate.
As seen here >

So we're talking about a specific method to get specific results. A clone with alternating nodes will never give you this particular result. The hormonal responce of the plant is detailed very well by Uncle Henry, and explains why the plants makes 4 nice equal colas. :joint::peace:
 

itsgrowinglikeaweed

Well-Known Member
like most people are saying i usually wait 5-7 nodes. it makes the plant look bad for a week or two until the tops grow back and are doubled or tripled or ..... then you will be glad you did it. many novice growers dont beleive in topping because they dont realize the yeild will be increased by pruning.
 

itsgrowinglikeaweed

Well-Known Member
like most people are saying i usually wait 5-7 nodes. it makes the plant look bad for a week or two until the tops grow back and are doubled or tripled or ..... then you will be glad you did it. many novice growers dont beleive in topping because they dont realize the yeild will be increased by pruning.
Thats true bro. Its hard to cut the head off your plant without knowing EXACTLY what will happen. But thats why this method is so good. its consistant, and predictable. not like FIM where you never know exactly what you will get.:joint:
 

bigweeds

Active Member
many thanks, i may top all of them at 7 nodes then see what happens if i get 2 main massive colas il be happy not sure bout fim ??????
 

Hairy Bob

Well-Known Member
Hmmm, i just realized that you were the 1st one to post Uncle Ben's Method here. How is it that you are not aware of exactly what I'm talkin about? You must not have read the whole thread.
Yeah, you're right, I only read the first 40 or so posts and thought I'd about got the gist of it, guess not.
So does this mean that there's no point in me topping any of my clones taken from mature mothers? I'd be kinda disappointed if that were the case, but I'll continue my experimentation to determine what method works best for me, see how this topped girl fares against her control sister now that I tied the highest branch down lower.
 

itsgrowinglikeaweed

Well-Known Member
Yeah, you're right, I only read the first 40 or so posts and thought I'd about got the gist of it, guess not.
So does this mean that there's no point in me topping any of my clones taken from mature mothers? I'd be kinda disappointed if that were the case, but I'll continue my experimentation to determine what method works best for me, see how this topped girl fares against her control sister now that I tied the highest branch down lower.
Yeah, Its a long ass thread LOL. Its loaded with good info on a lot more than just topping too. But yeah mature plants wont respond the same way. That does not mean that there's no point to it, its just not going tomake 4 equal colas. You're right experimentation is the way to go. I'm sure that how Uncle Ben found his method in the 1st place.
Happy growing. :joint::peace:
 

Hairy Bob

Well-Known Member
I'll let you know in 6-7 weeks if it's better to have a main top and 3 secondary "tops" than just letting the plant do as it pleases.
Thanks for that, we've had a good discussion here! Keep on keeping on.
 

bigweeds

Active Member
its a really good discussion, however knowi keep changing my mind lol. think i will top half and fim half see what happens think il keep journal on this i got some nice skunk plants on the go !! cheers guys good discussion
 

itsgrowinglikeaweed

Well-Known Member
its a really good discussion, however knowi keep changing my mind lol. think i will top half and fim half see what happens think il keep journal on this i got some nice skunk plants on the go !! cheers guys good discussion
Yeah man, thats the best way to learn. Do different things and record the results. Keep on growin!:peace:
 

Hairy Bob

Well-Known Member
Yeah I spend so much time on here and other places reading up on all these growing methods, how this will increase your yield and that will give you primo smoke etc but the only way to know what will work for you is to go and do it, so that's what I'm doing.
I love the perpetual harvest method, because not only do I get two plants to harvest every two weeks, but I can start a new experiment every two weeks!
 

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
How did that go?? I got carried away and did the same.
He won't answer. The thread is 12 years old, and he's no longer around.
Look up at the left corner of the post box. That is where the date of the last post was... It's nice to leave old dead threads in the grave.
Start new ones, and be happy.

See you around Newb.
 
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