pruning and trellising large outdoor plants

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shwamp

Active Member
If you intend to grow plants on the larger side, at what point do you start trellising to support the incoming tops? This might seem like a dumb question but do the tops towards the center get trellised for support as well or does the trellis just wrap around the sides of the plant?

I also wanted to top my plants. That's how the larger plants that you always see pictures of get that dome shape right? Is there such a thing as topping too much? How frequently would you top a plant that you plan to grow that big? Every 3rd or 5th node? And is there a point where you just shouldn't top it anymore?

Also if you have suggestions on better ways to prune/train and support larger plants please share. Thanks.
 
JimmiP

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
That depends on whether or it's in a greenhouse or completely outdoors. But yes the middle of the plant should be trellised as well as the sides.
The dome shape does come from topping and other training techniques too. How often and how much you top them depends on the plant and how it responds. I'm a big fan of fimming them at five nodes, bending them over and working out from there as the branches come in. It just takes time to learn how to read the plants.

If you really want to grow big plants the best advice I could give you is to start growing them now.
 
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Star Dog

Star Dog

Well-Known Member
There's no hard fast rules I don't think, you can net/trellis through veg or wait until you flip, I like to wait until I flip these days, the screen/net keeps me out of the tent.

I train/tuck everything middle to the edges.
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The back half was netted a couple of weeks ago the front half 5/6 days ago @ 20 days 12/12
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doublejj

doublejj

Well-Known Member
shwamp said:
Very nice. Your plants look really healthy. Why do you not top? Do you use another pruning method? What size pots are those? How long did those veg for? Did you use some kind of auto watering?
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Those are all clones started indoors in Feb. 300gl smart pots. There is a drip system for water/fertilizer. we found no benefit to topping large plants. Best of luck
 
Southernontariogrower

Southernontariogrower

Well-Known Member
If you don't want to top, lst. As soon as growing tip is lower than main stock, you will get your branching, it releases a hormone in growing tip without topping,if outside I drive an 8 ft steak in the ground at about 45 degree angle, must point north, as it grows and sun passes over, all of the plant gets optimal light. Get some really big trees like this and no topping. This is a tried and true method. God luck!
 
Southernontariogrower

Southernontariogrower

Well-Known Member
doublejj said:
none of these plants have been topped.....they are caged with 7' tall remesh wire cages...best of luck
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Now those are nice, loving those pots, starting my outdoor girls already. I live in downtown core of my city, only 5 ft fence, neighbour's love it, so do the scammers, 50 g pots small back yard. Last falls girls.
 

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Funkentelechy

Funkentelechy

Well-Known Member
Clones tend to branch differently than plants grown from seed, clones tend to be more branchy, in my opinion.
I don't top, because that fits my grow style/location, but every situation is different and it should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
 
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