Tieing down my branches. Need feedback

hey y’all. This is the first season where I’m really manipulating my plants. I’m not a novice grower but this is still new to me. Should I have tied down my bottom branches to so that the bottom branches on each main branch can start growing more? Here are some pictures. I would love feedback and especially constructive criticism if you see something I’m doing wrong.

Your second to last pic is your best. The purpose of tying the branches is to pull your tallest shoots down so your lower branches can become tops. Basically you want to pull them out and down to create an even canopy. The center tallest shoots is where I start and pull them down.

Indacouch said:

Your second to last pic is your best. The purpose of tying the branches is to pull your tallest shoots down so your lower branches can become tops. Basically you want to pull them out and down to create an even canopy. The center tallest shoots is where I start and pull them down.

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So I shouldn’t have tied down the bottom branches? I just thought because the branches are so packed that pulling them down would make the inner branches start growing more.

Pull the tall ones down. I pulled my two tops down and moved lower branches off to the side if needed. It’s pretty close to being even for me now

UpstateNYGrower said:

So I shouldn’t have tied down the bottom branches? I just thought because the branches are so packed that pulling them down would make the inner branches start growing more.

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By pulling the tallest branches down your plant will treat those lower branches more like tops.

Indacouch said:

By pulling the tallest branches down your plant will treat those lower branches more like tops.

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So I should untie the lower branches?

UpstateNYGrower said:

So I should untie the lower branches?

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I would just try to pull the center ones out as well.

Can someone give me feedback on what this may be that I keep finding on the top of my soil? The smart pots are sitting on wetlands so the soil doesn’t dry out often but roots still get plenty of oxygen

I agree ideally you want an even or level canopy and should let your bottom branches back up.
The plant will distribute hormones and nutrients evenly and produce more fruit; theoretically, and this has been proven in my experience.
Your soil has fungus. Try to dry the top two inches before re-watering? I understand you are outdoors and may not have complete control over your watering cycle.
If this is a fungus, which I believe it is, what you are seeing is only the top fruiting section of the fungus; like a mushroom most of it is underground. This will compete for nutrients in a closed container with your plant. Although the plant looks healthy and vibrant now, when it flowers it should triple in height and start sucking down nutrients and water. The fungus might also eventually starve your roots of oxygen by sheer density of the fungus mass that's underground. Competing with the fungus will only stunt the growth of your plant.
I would suggest a fungicide or possibly replanting directly into the ground. I would just replant into the ground unless its saturated.
Good luck.

.. thats a totally natural and beneficial mycelium (fungi) that will actually eat through rock and wood among other stuff to produce more speed and larger yield. Also good for water reach and eventually, post-mortem, many bene pathways.

As for the topping, its all about getting the tallest branches lower than the others, so the height change can signal an auxin to be released causing the non mains to infact get triggered as new-mains.. after about 24-48 hours a knuckle should form, if you are pinching and inducing elbows to form, essentially super cropping.

Fim'ing and LST can also be used, in conjunction, but if you have the node spacing, I would super crop plus FIM (if you have the veg time and one week to recover, as well as strong genetics that won't hermie with a cut)

Tie me cannabis down, mate.

UpstateNYGrower said:

hey y’all. This is the first season where I’m really manipulating my plants. I’m not a novice grower but this is still new to me. Should I have tied down my bottom branches to so that the bottom branches on each main branch can start growing more? Here are some pictures. I would love feedback and especially constructive criticism if you see something I’m doing wrong. View attachment 4174250View attachment 4174251 View attachment 4174255View attachment 4174256 View attachment 4174257View attachment 4174258 View attachment 4174261

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i have a height limit of 5'-6', been tying them down for over 10yrs similar to the way you do it, imo an average plant will yield considerably more in tying it down instead of letting it grow in a typical christmas tree shape, in having the main stem & branches tied down to a horizontal level it allows 'all' bud sites to get an even amount of light, instead of the standard christmas tree shape which usually has a 'dark' side, or a side which does not get enough light because of solar aspect, i sometimes start training or tying them down from 2' high

another great reason to tie down is the typical silhouette of a plant is not apparent & therefore a foil to potential ripper's eyes

DonTesla said:

.. thats a totally natural and beneficial mycelium (fungi) that will actually eat through rock and wood among other stuff to produce more speed and larger yield. Also good for water reach and eventually, post-mortem, many bene pathways.

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Beat me to it. OP, this is the good stuff.

Throw some mulch down.

When growing outdoors, at what point should we stop tying down the tallest branches? I’ve done some lst but could do more now that they’ve grown. I’m in New England and flowering is just beginning.

doug mirabelli said:

When growing outdoors, at what point should we stop tying down the tallest branches? I’ve done some lst but could do more now that they’ve grown. I’m in New England and flowering is just beginning.

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There's always room for improvement and more tops! But there is a limit to time.. so its a balance.. once its beyond the point of diminishing returns, and you've tried your best, call it a day/training period success, and pat yourself on the back.

DonTesla said:

There's always room for improvement and more tops! But there is a limit to time.. so its a balance.. once its beyond the point of diminishing returns, and you've tried your best, call it a day/training period success, and pat yourself on the back.

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You’re the man tes. Hopefully I get on your level someday