Should you top autoflower strains

[11Ron11]

Hi
I know you can top autoflower strains but should you.
I am growing auto critical fast bud which flowers in 8 to 10 weeks.
I want to top to increase yield but since the plant grows so quick should I top at the 3rd node or the 5th node.
I'm thinking if I top at the 5th node since the plant is a small plant it may get top heavy.
If I top at 3rd node the plant might not be strong enough.
Since it flowers at 8 to 10 weeks regardless will topping stunt its growing from stress or will the autoflower turn into a 12 week plant from training.

 

[Static23]

I have a perpetual grow going for about two years now with only auto’s. I’ve tried topping a few of them with no success. They don’t seem to be able to handle the stress. Growth and yield both suffered. LST and leaf tucking seem to be the best training for me so far.

 

[Edinburgh]

Never transplant or top autoflowers, they don't like stress, been growing them 10+ years and not impossible but I only did it twice bc plants were out growing my light. Be gentle or if not necessary don't do it.

 

[quirk]

Above node 4 or 5 was my preference when I topped. Like @Static23, I LST exclusively now because my yields went from 6oz to 8oz with zero defect grows.
Auto BlueBerry Domina.

 

[Static23]

Above node 4 or 5 was my preference when I topped. Like @Static23, I LST exclusively now because my yields went from 6oz to 8oz with zero defect grows.
Auto BlueBerry Domina.

It looks like you did some pretty serious defoliation, how's that working for you with auto's?
I haven't tried it to that degree, but I'm intrigued.

 

[HippiHemuli]

I think LST is best method for autos. You can top 4-5th node and it can be succesfull but depends so much strain and what medium you grow. FIM could be one method too because its not stress plant that much, it works hydro what i tried with few plants.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

The autos we've been growing are only 2 feet tall. If we topped, we would lose 50% of each plant.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

I was just in the grow room. Both autos are flowering and the tall one is 6 inches.

 

[11Ron11]

The autos we've been growing are only 2 feet tall. If we topped, we would lose 50% of each plant.

This is exactly what makes me think twice

 

[Static23]

The autos we've been growing are only 2 feet tall. If we topped, we would lose 50% of each plant.

Most of my autos have been coming in around that 2 foot mark also. I have a few Alaskan Purple’s that are trying to touch 3 feet.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

No way would I top an auto that doesn't normally exceed 6 feet.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Don't top anything! You're in flower already.

 

[Static23]

Bottom line is: Don’t top autos- ever!

 

[11Ron11]

Bottom line is: Don’t top autos- ever!

Lol my problem is it will kill me until I see the difference..
I may top 1 to see the growth difference and then complain that I topped it afterwards..

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Don't top anything! You're in flower already.

Lol my problem is it will kill me until I see the difference..
I may top 1 to see the growth difference and then complain that I topped it afterwards..

Do it now and get it over with.

 

[Static23]

Lol my problem is it will kill me until I see the difference..
I may top 1 to see the growth difference and then complain that I topped it afterwards..

Lol! That’s exactly what I did. Several times!

 

[11Ron11]

Don't top anything! You're in flower already.

Do it now and get it over with.

Not there yet just set up tent and 3 days into soil...lol
Just addicted to researching weed..

 

[sportyridr]

Hi
I know you can top autoflower strains but should you.
I am growing auto critical fast bud which flowers in 8 to 10 weeks.
I want to top to increase yield but since the plant grows so quick should I top at the 3rd node or the 5th node.
I'm thinking if I top at the 5th node since the plant is a small plant it may get top heavy.
If I top at 3rd node the plant might not be strong enough.
Since it flowers at 8 to 10 weeks regardless will topping stunt its growing from stress or will the autoflower turn into a 12 week plant from training.

I have topped every auto I have ever grown...makes no difference to the plant imo as they never skipped a beat...provide a good healthy environment and you won't have any issues with topping...

This is just another loaded question that has been debated til it's a dead horse....guess what?...no ones right...do what makes your plant grow the best, try some research. Good Luck

 

[11Ron11]

I have topped every auto I have ever grown...makes no difference to the plant imo as they never skipped a beat...provide a good healthy environment and you won't have any issues with topping...

This is just another loaded question that has been debated til it's a dead horse....guess what?...no ones right...do what makes your plant grow the best, try some research. Good Luck

You wouldn't have any pics of your autos topped would you..
I want to top but don't want to mess them up.
If I top only 1 to see I won't have time to top the others as they grow to quick.

 

[sportyridr]

You wouldn't have any pics of your autos topped would you..
I want to top but don't want to mess them up.
If I top only 1 to see I won't have time to top the others as they grow to quick.

Here is one from last may I think, Super OG Kush Auto...had to supercrop her to keep here down, I have pics of a real nice Northern Lights somewhere as well. Both were in 1 Gal pots I sure there are a bunch of pics in my journal.

by the way, there are no special genetics here, prob seedsman seed, megacrop, promix 100 days plus she took