About topping auto

Hey guys , so I just got my first couple seeds going in my first indoor grow . The long old debate , shall I top them at 3 or 4 nodes high ? To keep things from growing so high and also makes maintaining the canopy seem easier , vs just letting it grow straight up . I'm not concerned about a few grams difference , but has anyone ever done the comparison? Thanks

Fancyhuh101 said:

Hey guys , so I just got my first couple seeds going in my first indoor grow . The long old debate , shall I top them at 3 or 4 nodes high ? To keep things from growing so high and also makes maintaining the canopy seem easier , vs just letting it grow straight up . I'm not concerned about a few grams difference , but has anyone ever done the comparison? Thanks

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I've grown auto's for years, and any sort of messing with the apical dominance produces optimal results. Top it, LST it or fim it it doesn't really matter. When and what type of training works best I feel is really plant dependent. If the plant is really vigorous early on I top at the 4th or 5th node. If it's kind of a slow poke I might opt for just some LST as it grows. If I'm going to top I like to have it done by about day 20ish from the seed breaking ground. Right before or just when it's starting to show sex. Topping is by far the easiest way to train a plant. LST on the other hand is a bit of a pain in the ass sometimes.

Hope that helps some.

Zogs said:

I've grown auto's for years, and any sort of messing with the apical dominance produces optimal results. Top it, LST it or fim it it doesn't really matter. When and what type of training works best I feel is really plant dependent. If the plant is really vigorous early on I top at the 4th or 5th node. If it's kind of a slow poke I might opt for just some LST as it grows. If I'm going to top I like to have it done by about day 20ish from the seed breaking ground. Right before or just when it's starting to show sex. Topping is by far the easiest way to train a plant. LST on the other hand is a bit of a pain in the ass sometimes.

Hope that helps some.

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Appreciate the response , I like this approach. I am leaning towards topping it . How about topping it at the 3 or 4th node and then transplanting into final pot all at once? Or too much stress like that?

Auto or photo, I always find that topping early really helps the plant create lower sturdy main branches, which greatly help support flowers later. I top mine while still in solo cups, always.

Fancyhuh101 said:

How about topping it at the 3 or 4th node and then transplanting into final pot all at once? Or too much stress like that?

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Everyone's grow is kind of different so it's really up to you to try and see what works better. There is really no right or wrong answer here. I like to cut the first node off of my plant so I usually go to at least to the 4th node. I like to have mine in it's final pot way before I'm considering topping. But if you look at @PopAndSonGrows above he's doing just fine topping still in a solo cup.

Best advice I wish I knew sooner is to make sure your buying good genetics from a reputable breeder and keep your costs low. Learn how to how to reverse plants with colloidal silver or STS and never pay the stupid prices they are all charging for seeds again. Once you start making your own seeds you soon realize how shady and overpriced the market is. Here in Canada with legalization the cost of weed is so low it's almost not worth growing. I'm sure as the states/everywhere legalize more you will find much the same.

For over two decades, I've topped almost every plant, auto and photo, just to control the canopy. I prefer multiple colas rather than one big one of those not topped. When tended properly, I've seen very little difference, if any, in yeilds.

Appreciate everyone's input here!