Need advice is it too early to top

isitdoneyet · Oct 27, 2025

So this is my first indoor winter grow i've always done photo periods outside. I wanted to do a comparison of the difference Just to top one plant. So my question is
Should I top one now, or is it still too early ? Any advice would be appreciated also this is a critical auto if that makes any difference

isitdoneyet · Oct 27, 2025

Oh yeah it looks like my humidity is low.But my tent was open for ten minutes or so.Usually the humidity is around 72-78% also these are 17 days old it took a while because of the pot size.I'm pretty sure of

Galgrows · Oct 27, 2025

Hi i wait for at least 5nodes of leaf before i top. And i do top all my photos cause my tent is only 6ft and my lamp takes up about 6" of that maybe alittle less. The closest i want my top plant canopy to my light is 18" that's if i dial back my lamp to 75% in flower. So you need to train them good to keep them low. LST / manifolds. Good luck

ChairmanFester · Oct 27, 2025

Galgrows said:
Hi i wait for at least 5nodes of leaf before i top. And i do top all my photos cause my tent is only 6ft and my lamp takes up about 6" of that maybe alittle less. The closest i want my top plant canopy to my light is 18" that's if i dial back my lamp to 75% in flower. So you need to train them good to keep them low. LST / manifolds. Good luck

I do it at 4 but I do so much early lol. I should compare a set growing it out.
I'm going to get some branch elbows some day soon so I can manage growth buit
I want to start doing:
------
l
l
l
l--------
with 6-8" branch sections all around in a circle like etruscan pottery patterns lol. I want to get to a "never trim" goal but there will always be sucker buds to gnarf off. I'm still on my idea that leaving "nothing no weight flowers" is actually a hormone generator and a good thing.

Merkle · Oct 27, 2025

Hey isitdoneyet,
I would hold off, as was mentioned earlier to at least 5 nodes. You will actually see the area to top, it will be very clear to you when you see it. There is a great photo in one of the articles about topping from ILGM. Please let us know how you make out. Happy trails….

ChairmanFester · Oct 27, 2025

Merkle said:
Hey isitdoneyet,
I would hold off, as was mentioned earlier to at least 5 nodes. You will actually see the area to top, it will be very clear to you when you see it. There is a great photo in one of the articles about topping from ILGM. Please let us know how you make out. Happy trails….

How to Use High-Stress Training (HST) to Maximize Cannabis Yields

Want bigger buds? Learn how to use topping, super cropping, and mainlining in a high-stress training (HST) routine that boosts cannabis yields and controls plant shape.

ilgm.com

Cannabis Plant Training Methods

Learn effective methods for training cannabis plants. Boost yield and health with our guide to pruning, topping, and low-stress training techniques.

ilgm.com

One of these? I think the second say 4th node. I haven't had a problem doing so but maybe I got lucky so far too.

Ninjadogma · Oct 27, 2025

I think the general rule is introduce feeding at node 3 and topping at node 5. People do these things outside those parameters and the plant turns out fine... more like the consensus is that those are the "safe" times without over stressing the plant.

Merkle · Oct 27, 2025

ChairmanFester said:
How to Use High-Stress Training (HST) to Maximize Cannabis Yields

Want bigger buds? Learn how to use topping, super cropping, and mainlining in a high-stress training (HST) routine that boosts cannabis yields and controls plant shape.

ilgm.com

Cannabis Plant Training Methods

Learn effective methods for training cannabis plants. Boost yield and health with our guide to pruning, topping, and low-stress training techniques.

ilgm.com

One of these? I think the second say 4th node. I haven't had a problem doing so but maybe I got lucky so far too.

I would look up LST. You don’t want to subject your ladies to High Stress Training.

Rooke · Oct 27, 2025

High there, just wanted to chime in. You mentioned that these are critical autos on your original post. I’ve had some great results growing them outdoors but I have never topped them. Some strains can get pretty branchy on their own. If you’re in good soil you can do very well I noticed that your pots aren’t full, how big are they and how much soil do you have in them? Some growers do not transplant as well. I find if they’re fed properly they will do their thing without any problems hope this helps you out and keep it simple. Good luck!!!

JIMKSI64 · Oct 27, 2025

Topping an auto can also be strain specific and def growth specific.
If it has a good start and by preflower show you are at 5+ top it. I have one strain I can do at 7 and it's just before the stretch so the plant responds well.
My strain problem is the stretch is not great cause it's a tiny plant and it's hard to get the top runs far enough sideways before they harden and steal my length of the flower run. This is how they look both topped and untopped autoflower.

ChairmanFester · Oct 27, 2025

Merkle said:
I would look up LST. You don’t want to subject your ladies to High Stress Training.

Well that's just one of the links, hell I don't even super crop lol. Scary!

isitdoneyet · Nov 3, 2025

Merkle said:
Hey isitdoneyet,
I would hold off, as was mentioned earlier to at least 5 nodes. You will actually see the area to top, it will be very clear to you when you see it. There is a great photo in one of the articles about topping from ILGM. Please let us know how you make out. Happy trails….

Thankx for your advice

isitdoneyet · Nov 3, 2025

Rooke said:
High there, just wanted to chime in. You mentioned that these are critical autos on your original post. I’ve had some great results growing them outdoors but I have never topped them. Some strains can get pretty branchy on their own. If you’re in good soil you can do very well I noticed that your pots aren’t full, how big are they and how much soil do you have in them? Some growers do not transplant as well. I find if they’re fed properly they will do their thing without any problems hope this helps you out and keep it simple. Good luck!!!

Sorry for the late response, but they are in 5 gallon buckets, so I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have to fill the pots all the way.
Like I said, this is my first grow inside . I tend to them once or twice a day.
These are 22 days old i think i'm doing pretty good the leaves are down on the one because I folded them down.So the smaller ones can get more light

Need advice is it too early to top

Need advice is it too early to top

isitdoneyet

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Galgrows

ChairmanFester

Merkle

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How to Use High-Stress Training (HST) to Maximize Cannabis Yields

Cannabis Plant Training Methods

Ninjadogma

Merkle

How to Use High-Stress Training (HST) to Maximize Cannabis Yields

Cannabis Plant Training Methods

Rooke

JIMKSI64

ChairmanFester

isitdoneyet

isitdoneyet

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Need advice is it too early to top

Need advice is it too early to top

isitdoneyet

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isitdoneyet

Galgrows

ChairmanFester

Merkle

ChairmanFester

How to Use High-Stress Training (HST) to Maximize Cannabis Yields

Cannabis Plant Training Methods

Ninjadogma

Merkle

How to Use High-Stress Training (HST) to Maximize Cannabis Yields

Cannabis Plant Training Methods

Rooke

JIMKSI64

ChairmanFester

isitdoneyet

isitdoneyet

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