Are topping plants worth it?

Whether you grow indoors or outdoors topping your cannabis plants helps to produce a bigger and better yield, which is every grower's primary goal. The first thing to understand is that topping is an exact cut at the node, and while that sounds easy, the timing of topping is critical.

Does topping a plant increase yield?

Does topping really increase yield. Some people claim topping does not actually increase yield, because the colas get smaller every time you top. But, it has been shown that the cumulative yield is much heavier when you top your plants. So yes, topping really increases yield.

What age should I top my plant?

It is recommended that you wait until your plants have at least four nodes before topping them, and most growers recommend topping the plant above the sixth node. Nodes are the part of a plant that connects new stem offshoots with older growth, which can form a branch, a leaf, or in the case of cannabis plants, a bud.

Is it ever too late to top a plant?

Important: Don't Top in the Flowering Stage; It's Too Late! Topping should only be used in the vegetative stage! In fact, any training technique that involves cutting or damaging your plant should only be done in the vegetative stage of cannabis growth, and never during the flowering/budding stage.

How long does it take for a plant to recover from topping?

2. Healthy plants usually take 2-3 days to recover from topping. After topping, do not remove the leaves from that node as these are needed to power growth of the branches from that node. Never top during flowering as it causes too much stress – which slows growth and inhibits yield.

Topping your cannabis plants. The why, the how, the what.

Does topping stop vertical growth?

Topping cannabis plants is an old method suitable for both indoors and outdoor plants. It consists in essentially cutting off the top part of the plant. This is done to stop growth and force your plants to grow more branches rather than growing vertically.

Does Vegging longer increase yield?

The longer you keep your plants in the vegetative stage, the bigger your plant will be, resulting in bigger yields from plants that were vegetated longer.

What time of day is best to top plants?

Some say that it is best to top the plant at night when most of the hormones have been sent to the roots. This means that there is a smaller chance of the plant being stunted after the main shoot has been removed.

What's the difference between topping and Fimming?

The one difference between the two methods is that topping involves removing the plant's entire tip. In contrast, fimming only removes about 75 percent of the tip, leaving some foliage still attached. In both scenarios, the pruning of the top growth causes the plant to redistribute its growth hormones.

How many main colas does a plant need?

Your plant's natural tendency is to grow with one dominant cola in a Christmas tree shape. This is not optimal when it comes to getting as much weight as possible. So, you can cut the top of a plant, and it will grow TWO colas instead of one!

Should I remove fan leaves in veg?

Fan leaves that are growing inward toward the plant should be removed. Bud sites that are lower down on the plant may be removed so that the plant can focus on the bud sites closer to the top. Dead or dying leaves should be pruned.

Can you cut off fan leaves during veg?

Now, removing the foliage during the flowering stage is not recommended unless you know what you're doing because you definitely don't want to stress your plant during flower production, you can always remove a couple of fan leaves here and there but have in mind that if you remove too much, it won't be able to perform ...

Can I cut a bud off my plant early?

Harvesting too early will reduce your overall yield and potency, as the last two weeks of harvest are the peak time for cannabinoid production. Yet harvesting too late can cause the trichomes to become extra-brittle when they are dried and cured, making them break off easily.

Does topping hurt yield?

Topping cannabis plants is a well-known method used by experienced growers to increase the number of buds on one plant. It is a simple and above all cost-effective way of stimulating a higher yield with minimum investment.

Should I cut off fan leaves during flowering?

Yes you should – but with the correct technique. A proper thinning will remove 20-40% of the mid to upper foliage every 5-7 days. Removing these fan leaves opens up light and produces better air exchange to the lower canopy.

How do you maximize yields?

How many times can you FIM a plant?

It's easy to FIM a plant more than once! I wouldn't necessarily advise this tactic for growers who are new to FIMing, but definitely keep this in mind! You can FIM your cannabis plant more than once, and with some Low-Stress Training, you get plants with dozens of colas like the one to the right.

Should you top a sativa plant?

Sativa plants, which are taller, have a longer internode. For topping cannabis, you want to have at least four nodes and preferably six-eight nodes. This is a general rule. Topping at four nodes is riskier than topping at six- to- eight nodes as plant health improves as the plant grows.

Should I top my plants before flowering?

We like to give our plants at least 2 days from the last topping before we switch it to flower. Even better is waiting 1 week, and then making the switch. If you have an autoflower, make sure to only top it if it flowers in 4+ weeks, or it will not have time to recover.

How big should my plants be after 2 weeks?

How Big Should My Weed Plants be After 2 Weeks? In most cases your plant should be around 2 to 3 inches tall with 2 to 3 sets of leaves including the cotyledons (seed leaves which are rounded).

Is 4 weeks veg enough?

Most cultivators vegetate their plants for 4–8 weeks. After this time, a switch to 12 hours of light per day is required to initiate flowering. In contrast, autoflowering plants flower on their own. Provide them with 18–24 hours of light per day throughout veg and flowering, and watch the magic happen.

Do bigger pots mean bigger buds?

Bigger pots does not mean bigger plants. The recommended pot size for transplanting is between 2 to 4 inches larger in diameter from the pot that the plant was planted in. This gives the roots enough space to spread and absorb more water and nutrients.

Does topping stress plant?

Topping is a high-stress method that is used to redistribute growth hormones from a single main cola to multiple colas, in order to grow a larger and higher yielding plant. FIMing is a lower stress method that can help to produce additional cola's but the plant will require additional structural support.

Does topping reduce height?

Fast-growing watersprouts form instead of normal branches. Although the goal of topping is to reduce a tree's height, a topped tree will typically grow back faster than one that was not.

What happens if you wait too long to harvest?

Waiting longer to harvest gives the trichomes ample time to develop. But the longer you wait, the more highly intoxicating and sedative your flower will become. This is especially true for indica strains, but even sativa strains can become sedating.