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

Ahh! the OP photos are gone, and I'm too slow to understand what (err where?) you mean by the 2nd "true" node? A guy on page 161 said it took him 6 hours to read the whole thread...it's on page 271 now. I really don't think I could do a 9 hour read right now...Ran some searches on the thread but didn't have any luck finding a photo showing the spot to cut prior to actually being cut.

Uncle Ben said:

Those seedlings are seriously stunted and yellow. They need N. What are you feeding them with? Don't top until you get normal growth and vigor.

Here's one of my crosses topped above the 2nd true node. The result is 2 main colas:

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This looks like it's been cut right below what I believe to be the 3rd node, basically removing the 3rd set of leaves (not counting the seedling ones) ? So basically amputate the main stem right below where the 3rd set of leaves branch out? Sorry if I'm appearing to be a dumbass - I've been reading all day for the past several days n my brain just doesn't want to (or can't) let me learn anything else atm.

Edit: Okay I lied...figured it out. Was just over-thinking it I suppose...Very simple, yet effective, concept. Guess this brain had a little more room left for today.

top all you kids want. I would honestly fim any plant just one time because with everything else dialed in that'll give you a nice even, dense canopy. otherwise I would just SoG with no training- but who the hell wants to work with 16 plants lol

give me 1-4, fim them and watch them explode into a nice scrog, or tie-down set up for max yield

youknowthekid! said:

top all you kids want. I would honestly fim any plant just one time because with everything else dialed in that'll give you a nice even, dense canopy. otherwise I would just SoG with no training- but who the hell wants to work with 16 plants lol

give me 1-4, fim them and watch them explode into a nice scrog, or tie-down set up for max yield

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Hollllldup...I thought You were the kid? You know...the kid..?

Specifically after reading this awhile back I was looking forward to trying my hand.
First image below is from 4-16 when she was first topped.
Below that is more recent 5-30.
Thanks to UB for the great info.
Super Snow Lotus .
SSL on 4-16

same plant at about 1' tall. I love how she is looking.

Uncle Ben-

First post on RIU, but had to take the time to personally thank you. I've been a silent student learning from the fringes. You haven't touched my plant, watered or fed it, yet you have helped me reach a new threshold of grower ability.
Your willingness to teach and inform despite the dumb questions coming from all over the classroom is inspirational.
Your patience, beyond admirable.

Here is my HashPlant topped for 4 mains @ 50 days following flip. 10 more til chop I expect. I've never come close to having half oz colas, objectively, these might have a chance.
Cheers and thanks again UB

Mocomovaca said:

View attachment 3168043 View attachment 3168044 View attachment 3168045 View attachment 3168046 View attachment 3168047 View attachment 3168048 Uncle Ben-

First post on RIU, but had to take the time to personally thank you. I've been a silent student learning from the fringes. You haven't touched my plant, watered or fed it, yet you have helped me reach a new threshold of grower ability.
Your willingness to teach and inform despite the dumb questions coming from all over the classroom is inspirational.
Your patience, beyond admirable.

View attachment 3168045 View attachment 3168047 View attachment 3168046 Here is my HashPlant topped for 4 mains View attachment 3168043 View attachment 3168044 @ 50 days following flip. 10 more til chop I expect. I've never come close to having half oz colas, objectively, these might have a chance.
Cheers and thanks again UB

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Thanks for the feedback! Nice job....and....keep it green.

Tio

Uncle Ben said:

Thanks for the feedback! Nice job....and....keep it green.

Tio

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I do have to say if it wasn't for guys like you and homebrewer on here this place would not be worth the time. I'm new, lurked for a long time before finally signing up. I follow you two almost exclusively as a noob because there are so many dudes preaching dumb shit on here its ridiculous. I started out from scratch before jumping on the boards by reading Jorge Cervantes' grow bible and I would highly recommend reading that book to anyone new internet forums. Prepared me with the basic knowledge to filter out some of the bullshit on these forums. Pretty sure he mentions you in his book.

I read a thread today where someone said dipping your finished buds in coca cola and then drying them adds %30 more weight and leaves the buds in good shape. Wtf? That was just today. He was serious.

You guys had me sold at Dynagro and calling bullshit on these other companies selling nutes w fancy names and fancy claims when all you've gotta do is hit your macros. Have followed you both to gain knowledge since. So if you are ever getting frustrated w repeat questions or dumb questions just know that you guys ARE helping and your time IS appreciated.

Ps. I want to open a nute company. I'll use the 1-3-2 flower macros and call it Double D's. Have some smoking chick on the label w lots of cleavage and not much clothes. Slogan will be, "For when two handfuls just isn't enough." I think I'll make a killing.

Welcome to the real world!

Yes, I was a contributor to Jorge's (George Patten's) book.

Mel Frank's Guide is a must-have. No bullshit, botany driven.

Good luck!

Not sure why this surprised me. Been watching your posts for quite a while, Ben. Thanks for sharing the inscription as well as tons of knowledge/advice to the community. Good stuff, highly appreciated! (I've had this thread bookmarked even when I was inactive on RUI).

Uncle Ben said:

Welcome to the real world!

Yes, I was a contributor to Jorge's (George Patten's) book.

Mel Frank's Guide is a must-have. No bullshit, botany driven.

Good luck!

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I am on the same page as you UB. Mel Franks "Marijuana Growers Insiders Guide" is the ultimate reference guide (With all due respect to Jorge).

Hey uncle Ben....can I get the 2 cola plant if it starts at the 3rd true node..im asking this because I have it trimmed for mainlining but im not going to have the time to train them for it..at the 3rd node seems to be the strongest ...or does it have to be at the first true node for 2 colas...i stripped everything under the 3rd node..will it still work ...thanks ..
Scarecrow77

1st for 2 colas.

Uncle Ben said:

1st for 2 colas.

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thanks..ub..

I topped this three days ago and thought it was a good representation of where to top for 4 main colas.
Thanks to UB, I will be topping all of the time from now on.
I'll throw some pics of topped Jesus OG and super Snow Lotus later today.

So the thread says top above the second node not including the seed leaves. So that would put the first node being the single serrated leaf and the second at the 3 leaflet.....this assumes doing it from seed of course. Is it okay to skip the node with the single leaflet and go 2 up from there? The reason I say is because I tried to start outside and hit a couple of bad days and I have some stretch in that area. Hell I don't even know if it matters or not really.

I have to say that I'm a bit worried about trying this because if I cut at 5 - 6 nodes the axial growth (at least in my case) is going to be pretty minimal and then placing them in flower from the point of cut does not seem like a huge yielder to me. It just seems like a squat plant with 4 1/4oz colas maybe. Please forgive me I'm not trying to insult this method. If I wasn't fully intrigued I would not be posting. I just worry about getting the most potential out of my plants and I'm willing to try anything that will give first great quality, and second huge heavy buds.

Know One said:

I topped this three days ago and thought it was a good representation of where to top for 4 main colas.
Thanks to UB, I will be topping all of the time from now on.
I'll throw some pics of topped Jesus OG and super Snow Lotus later today.

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Looks like 3 nodes to me.

Uncle Ben said:

Looks like 3 nodes to me.

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I think (hope) it's just the angle. Here are a few pics of that same plant from another angle, plus a couple of others for you to hopefully verify correct node for 4 main.
I topped all of my plants in the same place so please let me know if I need to go one more node down. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Take care of that algae on the rockwool. Don't let light hit the rockwool like that...

3 nodes

Thanks for taking the time to set it straight UB. Just wanted to be sure.
I am also sure you already answered this, but now I'm curious of course. If I top down one node right now, will I still get the same hormonal re-distribution to get the 4 main? Or did I screw that up by already topping and going up one too high?