Would you guys top them?

[Kopper1013]

So I LST’d these girls a little while back and now wondering if I should top the main stalk?
Do you guys top your out door plants?

 

[nashobaTHC]

I know why growers LST their grows (less stress) but I always top my plants 3 times during May thru June because that’s when growth is maximal and short term stress is short lived and not a factor come July thru September. I feel this maximizes grow tips (8 after three toppings) and keeps plants fairly symmetrical. Topping removes the growth tip that sends auxins down the plant to restrict side growths so they don’t overtake the top grow tip. Once auxins are removed the lower branches grow more vigorously than just bending the main branch sideways. Given the time of year and the asymmetrical growth of your plants, you probably should not top all your plants but I would encourage you to experiment on one of your plants by topping the main branch once. You may be pleasantly surprised. Nice job with your wheeled plants for rotating during your grow. Have fun.

 

[nashobaTHC]

FYI…All these plants were topped three times in May and June.

 

[Kopper1013]

wow

That’s incredible, if you don’t mind me asking after you top the original stalk, what where the other 2 toppings? Just all the new main stalks?

 

[nashobaTHC]

I top the main branch after 3-4 main leaf sets grow then wait for the main branch to grow two new branches then wait for three new leaf sets on each branch and top again then three more sets of leaves then top third time. Here’s a pic of a plant on May 27 a couple weeks after third topping. I’ve since trimmed out some inner branches that would just get larfy if I didn’t.

 

[Kopper1013]

So the asymmetrical growth is cause the tops keep pushing up and my branches don’t seem to be gaining girth or taking off, I’m assuming that’s the auxins you’re talking about and by topping the lower stuff should pickup the pace?

I don’t care so much about the size of the yield as much learning techniques and keeping everyone alive and happy. I asked the question cause it seems like they just keep becoming more asymmetrical and I thought by just pulling the top over (LST) the bottoms would shoot up and that’s not what I’m seeing even on my best/healthy plant.
It would seem no matter what to stop these crazy leaning out I should top and see what happens? Won’t kill them they just won’t reach full potential I’m assuming?

 

[Kopper1013]

So you don’t LST at all outside and creat a bush by topping, very interesting. Every day I visit this site I Learn something new, can’t wait for my next grow already though that will be inside and I screw a bunch up there also

 

[Aqua Man]

Yeah LST is to adress light coming from only above. Topping will help a lot if you have a stain that produces big huge buds and you have humid environment. This reduces the bud sizes but gives more colas that are more uniform and medium sized rather than a big donkey dick.

Some strains like it a lot and some hate it… imo mist respond well a few hate it and a few love it

 

[Kopper1013]

Well I have a very humid climate!!

I thought LST was just to help to keep from having a giant tree and while it’s legal here I’m worried about someone spotting them and them not being outside in the morning so I was trying to have a more manageable size plant. Complete miss understanding. Time to keep moving forward though

 

[nashobaTHC]

I suspect that if you top the main leaning branch, it will grow a new pair of branches and the side growths on the main branch will grow out making for a very bushy main (which will need more support). I don’t think topping the main will have much effect on the smaller side branches that grew from the LSTing.

After I top 3 times, I stake my plants and surround them with multiple rounds of twine. I then spread the multiple branches using twist ties to secure the smaller branches to the twine and the larger branches directly to the stakes in preparation for heavy bud set later in summer. During the summer I’ll manage these attachments to accommodate plant growth. It’s a full time job during heavy growth periods.

 

[Kopper1013]

To late to just undo the LST and straighten them back out and top? Dumb idea?

 

[Aqua Man]

To late to just undo the LST and straighten them back out and top? Dumb idea?

No not dumb… there are benefits just not as needed outdoors but that doesn’t make it wrong

 

[Kopper1013]

So just abandon the LST and stand them back up, I can get some steaks tomorrow if you guys think it’ll work?

I figure I have 2 more months of veg and if they keep growing sideways trying to support them could get really crazy…

 

[7munkee]

I'm a fan of letting my outdoor plants go until they are like three feet tall. Then I tie the tip as close to the ground as I can. Every branch becomes a top. Weird shape, but the budload can get amazing.

 

[nashobaTHC]

Maybe loosen two plants and top and support then keep two plants as is for comparison.

 

[7munkee]

I'm a fan of letting my outdoor plants go until they are like three feet tall. Then I tie the tip as close to the ground as I can. Every branch becomes a top. Weird shape, but the budload can get amazing.

Similar to the way I did this Durban Poison. 

 

[weed420420420420420]

Just supercrop it. Put a kink in the main stalk and then put one those nifty holders they make for supercropping.
Also make sure you support the branches. That sideways harp shape can get twisted and rolled around easy in a storm. And just spaghetti out completely when things get heavy. Upper support is more crucial with the main stalk sideways like that.
Like 12 large people jumping on a diving board all at once.

 

[7munkee]

Feeding silica helps strengthen the stalks, but you are right, they CAN get top heavy without support. But that's kind'a what I'm after outside. Keeping them low profile is the most important thing for me.

 

[Kopper1013]

Well guys I appreciate all the advice! Lots of learning and obviously lots of different ways to skin these cats… I couldn’t stand looking at them all hanging to the over like crazy and since they only have been over for a week I opted to stand them back up

Hopefully they’ll be happier looking this way, again in the end I’m ultimately just trying to get from start to the finish line and learn some along the way. this seems like a safer bet for a first outdoor grow.
I’ll try LST or SCROG this winter in my new tent at a much earlier stage.
Thanks again for all the advice on my travels

 

[HighRootz]

It all comes with growth experience. I LST and top my outdoor plants, it's up to you how you want your plant to grow out. This one was bent in half as soon and she hit her 3rd set of leaves then topped at her 5th node. I was shooting for 6 colas but the plant decided to top herself again so now I have 7 colas growing