this is a dumbass question i know

[dean1963]

but how do i count the nodes before topping?
internet says count the cotyledon leaves and the single leaf as 2 nodes, others say only count the 3 or 5 leaf as nodes.
the internet is going to be the downfall of society.

 

[Imzzaudae]

Each set of leaves is a node. I like to give my plants time to get larger. I let them grow 5 sets of leaves. Then top just bellow the 3rd node. Leave as much as you can above the cut so it does not split later..

 

[dean1963]

Each set of leaves is a node. I like to give my plants time to get larger. I let them grow 5 sets of leaves. Then top just bellow the 3rd node. Leave as much as you can above the cut so it does not split later..

so you count the cotyledon leaves as a node?

 

[Oldguy71]

I don’t count the cotyledons. Just the ones where a branch will grow

 

[Imzzaudae]

so you count the cotyledon leaves as a node?

I don't.

 

[Cirroji]

Nodes start with me at the level they start popping out 5 finger leaves. The rest to me is early veg growth and by mid veg it’s normally all cutoff down there anyhoo

 

[dean1963]

I don’t count the cotyledons. Just the ones where a branch will grow

ok great, thanks.
that's what i thought before i went on the bullshit net and read crap there.

 

[Mothman]

It doesn’t hurt much to go a little taller before topping. Remember, the space between where you cut and the soil surface is all the space you’ll have for working around the bottom of your plant.

 

[dean1963]

Each set of leaves is a node. I like to give my plants time to get larger. I let them grow 5 sets of leaves. Then top just bellow the 3rd node. Leave as much as you can above the cut so it does not split later..

what would be the minimum stem length i should leave when topping?

 

[Imzzaudae]

Let them grow 5 sets of leaves. Then top just bellow the 3rd node. Leave as much as you can above the cut so it does not split later.. This lets the root system get big enough to handle all the new growth. Doing this shocks the plant but they come back.

 

[dean1963]

Let them grow 5 sets of leaves. Then top just bellow the 3rd node. Leave as much as you can above the cut so it does not split later.. This lets the root system get big enough to handle all the new growth. Doing this shocks the plant but they come back.

thanks, that's what i read here earlier, but my question was how much of a stem should i leave below the cut to prevent splitting?
1/4 inch 1/2 inch or more?

 

[elusiveshame]

A node is where 1 or more stems branch out from the main stem. Cotyledons aren’t a node by definition.

 

[Novaracer69]

Indoors I tend to top at the 5th node but for outdoor I tend to top at the 7th to 9th. It almost depends on your space restrictions.

 

[dean1963]

once again thanks for the answer. but my question is " how much of a stub do i need to leave when topping to prevent splitting later on "
i know i have issues asking the questions properly in order to get the appropriate response, but fuck me i thought this was asked correctly

 

[elusiveshame]

once again thanks for the answer. but my question is " how much of a stub do i need to leave when topping to prevent splitting later on "
i know i have issues asking the questions properly in order to get the appropriate response, but fuck me i thought this was asked correctly

Just replied to the first question.

You don’t want to leave any stub, or as little as possible. Cut between the 2 stems coming off at the node you want to top from.

There’s also FIM’ing

 

[Mothman]

once again thanks for the answer. but my question is " how much of a stub do i need to leave when topping to prevent splitting later on "
i know i have issues asking the questions properly in order to get the appropriate response, but fuck me i thought this was asked correctly

Hey @dean1963 I think @Imzzaudae MEANT to write “Leave as much as you can BELOW the cut so it does not split later.. “ ‘Cause that’s what I’d write!

 

[dean1963]

and yet

Imzzaudae says Leave as much as you can above the cut so it does not split later​

so two answers and two different opinions.
sorry for the bold text, i don't know how to change it.
i'm following cannagrannys advice so hopefully my guru will pop in

 

[dean1963]

and elusiveshame said no stub at all?

 

[dean1963]

CANNAGRANNY WHERE ARE YOU? I NEED HELP!
those caps were intentional.
lol

 

[Imzzaudae]

Leave as much of a stub as you can. This helps stop the stalk from splitting. I guess I should of said Leave as much stub bellow the cut as you can.