Top or lst outdoor

Ok so I am going to experiment for the first time with two girls that I have in the ground, one white widow and one northern soul. Both are currently being bent over with close hangers and I'm starting the LST process, they seem to be doing fine but what I want to know is weather* or not I should also top them for better results? I was thinking of trying uncle bens topping method for 4 main colas. what do you guys think? straight LST or do a little extra and top them as well? I will be doing the topping this weekend if I decide it's the best thing to do. thanks everyone and I will plus REP you! pics and updated grow journal coming soon! I just had 3 new babys sprout

top them if you want to keep them shorter.

I do both. Works pretty good.

should I do it now? even tho they are bent sideways? ok so forgive me for sounding stupid but where exactly do I cut for four main colas? right above the second node right? but wait till there is 4 nodes to pinch? I almost dont get it. the first time I ever topped I did get 2 main colas but that was about it because I toppped too late into the veg state. When I top and LST I'm supposed to get a bunch of main colas and alot of new growth right? I dont mind if they get about 3 or four feet just want to take the best steps to ensure the HPY (highest possible yield) thanks again

you top once for two colas....let it veg for a week or so then top each branch once more....this will give you 4 main tops(colas)

MADVILLAIN.CA said:

should I do it now? even tho they are bent sideways? ok so forgive me for sounding stupid but where exactly do I cut for four main colas? right above the second node right? but wait till there is 4 nodes to pinch? I almost dont get it. the first time I ever topped I did get 2 main colas but that was about it because I toppped too late into the veg state. When I top and LST I'm supposed to get a bunch of main colas and alot of new growth right? I dont mind if they get about 3 or four feet just want to take the best steps to ensure the HPY (highest possible yield) thanks again

Click to expand...

thanks for the rep by the way

I just let my clones grow.

Are your plants growing at fast rate? How old are they and do you have pic?

Also Just LST for now for sure. Leave the topping out for now. Learn more on that. It sound like your doing it wrong. Remember keep it simple. LST will work fine for what your trying to do and your skill set.

Forgot to tell you to go to youtube and watch some topping vids.

you bend em over and let the original top and new upright branches grow a few nodes, then top them.

thanks everyone, I'll just experiment this time around and prepare for some monsters next season

shes coming along

I have experimented myself on this same subject.....I topped AND LST'd ....(first time lst) but i like it....heres what mine looks like.... just to give u an idea...

Trich3 said:

I have experimented myself on this same subject.....I topped AND LST'd ....(first time lst) but i like it....heres what mine looks like.... just to give u an idea...View attachment 2706164View attachment 2706165

Click to expand...

verynice, Can I let her grow up after a foot or so on the ground?

Well, id say you can probably do it any time you want.....i did mine when it was maybe,,,,..2, 21/2 feet tall.....only thing is i had to keep adjusting the string i have it tied down with.... (i just lst'd and once it got bigger i topped)...is there any way u can post pics?

I do both. I top pretty extensively until I get the bush I want . I top once at the 5th node, let her grow out, Lst those branches over, let her fill in and top the dominate tops until it is a bush and let her reach for the sun.

On the plants I've flowered early (finishing now), I just LST'd because I didn't want to slow the growth down.

On the others, I topped once. Then when the two resulting tops grew out enough, I LST'd them so they were below the branches underneath. When the two branches underneath are about the same size as the higher ones, I try to keep all 4 level.

So I hope to get 4 tops with only one topping. Next year I may try 2 toppings; it should be less work, but will require a bit more recovery time.

Here are the Purple Marocs I just posted on my PM thread today. Most are still in the process of trying to grow out the lower branches:View attachment 2707251

At harvest time, I hope to have some 4 foot wide and low plants, with 4 main branches.


Plain LST, without ever topping, results in a very asymmetrical and twisted plant, and I find that annoying.

they're different methods with somewhat different goals, just use both. your babes will love ya for it

question? she is growing nicely but soon going to get out of the bed, can I bend the stem so it almost circles back around?

bend them bastiges...

1st lst session... about 5 days ago..
Bubba K


yesterday..
she is untopped and I am bending her in circles..

Drizilla LST'd and topped several times. Once she gets a foot or so above the fence Im going to place a scrog screen over her.