Uncle Ben's Topping Technique to Get 2 or 4 Main Colas

[riddleme]

Even though it takes awhile to read these long threads it is absolutely worth it as they are filled with awesome info, I have actually read this one twice. When those of us that take the time to put up solid info and answer questions have someone read the whole thread we are most happy to help because we appreciate the initiative it takes, lets us know your serious about learning that your soaking up info.

I spent around 20 hours doing research in the last few weeks and 6 hours yesterday typing it all up to share, and it is info that every single person here wants because I proved a hippie trick to be true, but alas only about 1% of the members will read it because I buried it deep in one of my long threads, my way of rewarding those with due diligence

 

[Danielsgb]

Start going backwards till you see that exact ?, keep at it and you'll find it many times. Nobody likes a ball busting, but I'm surprised some more that follow this one didn't give you shit too. My comment on looking dumb was about RTFM I didn't recognize. Sometimes 2 minutes there will answer a ? (and google doesn't have us smart-asses to comment) Good Luck
Daniels

 

[Uncle Ben]

Hello there I was wondering what you meant by First or Second "TRUE" node, thenks PN.

You've got to be shittin' me.

I blame some of the lazy lurking behavior, the redundant questions on RIU's editing protocol. If the thread starter could edit his thread then he could include a FAQ on the first page. By the way things are going and looking around here, I'd say RIU is headed for the graveyard. You guys that are doing comprehensive journals might not want to waste your time, or at least don't use RIU as a holding tank for your images. Case in point, an admin at a once very active and popular site which is now tits up, Planet Ganja, never saved his photos to his hard drive, thinking his good ol buddy and co-hort admin/owner (Gadabout) would never pull the plug leaving him and the membership hanging. It happens people. And what's sick is about 9 months prior Gadabout does this dishonest and whiney "we need donations to keep us alive" drive, takes the money and runs.

Sorry for the rant, just giving some of the noobs a heads up. I hope I'm wrong.

UB

 

[Ganja Geek]

Dear Uncle Ben,
The questions that I had asked on my prior reply were pertaining more to what would happen to my plants if I topped at this stage?thanks for your replys,
ganja geek

 

[Murfy]

what i find is the more i read and do, the less i realize i know, and all the more questions surface; advanced that is

 

[Porkules]

Hi All,

Can someone please tell me if this would be the correct place to top this plant? Sorry to ask two unrelated questions, but what is going on with the leaves? There is plenty of inner growth sprouting every day. About 2 weeks old, aerogarden grow, Short Rider, maybe 2.5" tall, ph 6.0, more than enough light. Incredibly small amount of nutes (around an 1/8 or less).

thanks!

 

[DaveCoulier]

Yes, that is the correct spot. It looks like you may want to back off the nutes a touch more. You've got a bit of nute burn at the tips.

 

[Porkules]

Thanks Dave. How do I tell whether it is nute burn, rather than a deficiency? I've been reading and reading and can't decide which one it is...

I should also mention that heat could definitely be an issue. I'm at about 90-92 constantly (water 85ish) Not much I can do about it either...

thanks again

 

[meathook666]

You can tell it bro. First off the leaves would look different if they are affected by nute burn or deficiency. Google it. Second is what you know ie. what your soil consists of and use of nutrients. You get what you put in.

 

[connorwhite12]

Can you do this if you are also LST'ing?

 

[DaveCoulier]

Thanks Dave. How do I tell whether it is nute burn, rather than a deficiency? I've been reading and reading and can't decide which one it is...

I should also mention that heat could definitely be an issue. I'm at about 90-92 constantly (water 85ish) Not much I can do about it either...

thanks again

Nute burn or Leaf Scorch typically manifests itself at the tips/edges. Very minor burn will cause it to become a pale yellow. As the burns become more severe, you get browning of tips/edges and it progresses from there, and it becomes crinkly(dead). Google Leaf Scorch, and check out some pictures of it. This is what happens when you over apply nutrients. Water is drawn out of the leaves causing the scorching, and excessive nutes will also kill off your root hairs/roots preventing water from being absorbed so easily and again resulting in leaf scorch.

 

[djbthunder]

how long after the cut does the plant stay in veg stage ? or induce flowering after the cut

 

[DaveCoulier]

how long after the cut does the plant stay in veg stage ? or induce flowering after the cut

As long as you wish it to. Keep it under veg for a period of at least two weeks to maximize your yield. Flowering right after topping would be wasteful of what could be.

 

[Wondering Star]

That means that it is the least likely node to receive redirected ho moans. I'm also trying to explain plant hormonal responses - the ones at the top receive hormones that induce output the first. Top a plant, any kind of a plant, and it will induce dormant bud output starting with the top down.

By allowing the plant to get a good start, which occurs with some leaf material from say......6 nodes (opposing leafsets) as opposed to 2, you're just giving it a better jump-start. You can use the cutting as a clone.

No special advantage to 2 colas and that's what I usually do is top to get 4. But I was "playing games" regarding 2 versus 4 years ago jest fer fun. I decided to do quite a bit of experimentation on cannabis years ago, potting techniques, soil chemistry, pest control, etc. rather than taking someone's take on it. 4 main colas is my ditty.

Post #1232 has some really good shots of the 4 main cola structure. 2 pages past are some more.
https://www.planetganja.com/highsociety/showthread.php?t=33786&page=62

Regards,
UB

UB, awesome thread!

When you say no special advantage to doing 2 colas rather than 4, does this apply vice versa too? Why do you choose to do 4 instead of 2? just cos it looks cooler

 

[sixstring2112]

This one just got the chop, and i really liked the 2 main colas that it produced using uncle bens method. master kush with a 9 week veg.

 

[Ganja Geek]

What will happen if I top a 2ft plant at the 16th or 18th node?

 

[Wondering Star]

What will happen if I top a 2ft plant at the 16th or 18th node?

From what i have learnt, if you top at the 16th or 18th node, the auxins of the plant [these are some form of growth hormone] will be redistributed to the lower nodes, but it could be any of the 14 or so nodes below. You will get colas but one of them will be the main cola.

It's not the same as topping at either the first node for two main colas or the second node for four main colas... as with this method you ensure the number of main colas each time is two or four. Thats because the auxins go to directly the nodes below.

That is how I understand it

 

[robert 14617]

topping to get 4 worked out fine for my grow

 

[Murfy]

daaammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

after you harvest you could make a walkin stick outta that

 

[plebean]

QUESTION: Can I top if nodes #one and/or #two have dropped their leaves and have little to no leaf matter? It seems that it would look like a bare stem sticking out of the ground.