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

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Uncle Ben

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I have a plant that that is at the 5th node, the first set of true leaves are basically wasted due to a wandering slug, there is also some damage to the second set of leaves. What is your recommendation for this plant?
What are you trying to achieve?

It's pretty much a no-brainer, eh aceshigh69?
 

johnnysacoseeds

Active Member
What are you trying to achieve?
I'm trying to achieve the 4 cola result... I'm asking if the plant gets topped, if the remaining damaged leaves and healthy root system are capable of sending out the 4 main leads. I guess I don't know how dependent the plant is on the leaves in this case, or if the root system will power the growth without much help from photosynthesis. Thanks.
 

born2killspam

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Can you post a pic of the actual amount of damage??
I guess I don't know how dependent the plant is on the leaves in this case
As dependant as you are on your lungs and heart I'd say, but damaged leaves can still produce.. Thats why I'm always telling ppl to let the plant decide when to write leaves off unless there is a clear benefit in trimming due to a crowded space etc..
 

johnnysacoseeds

Active Member
This may not be slug damage, just guessing because of the trail-like damage displayed...

First pic shows one of first set damage, other leaf is worse off, second shows damage to one of the three blade leafs, the other is similar, third shows healthy leaves above
 

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highwaystar415

Active Member
hey ben.. im wondering about the 3 plants that i topped. they have been in 12/12 for 6 weeks now. full 2 ft plants.. with no budding!!! can these be used for hash.. they are nice big bushy plants. in soil 1000 hps. from bagseed..
 

born2killspam

Well-Known Member
Are you sure they're pot plants?? (Sorry:) ).. You need trichromes/resin to make hash though.. That typically comes most with bud leaf.. Some sativas might make it doable with more pure leaf, but whenever I've made hash, the leaf was as crystal packed as the bud really..
Are the plants getting too much nitrogen??
 

highwaystar415

Active Member
yes they are. im tryin to get a pic up here.. i dont know how to post a pic.. ive got 5 great ones , i should just cut em!! they look so good and healthy tho. ill give it a week and check on any trics!! thanx.
 

imanoob

Well-Known Member
the pics from the first post are missing...is it possible to re-up them? i have been hunting high n low for a tutorial with decent pics. This thread has 50pages of replies...so im sure some of you RUIers have been using this technique successfully.

Thanks folks
 

Uncle Ben

Well-Known Member
the pics from the first post are missing...is it possible to re-up them? i have been hunting high n low for a tutorial with decent pics. This thread has 50pages of replies...so im sure some of you RUIers have been using this technique successfully.

Thanks folks
They are still there.
 

johnnysacoseeds

Active Member
This may not be slug damage, just guessing because of the trail-like damage displayed...
Turns out this damage was caused by leafminers, the recommended course of action was to remove the damaged leaves. I now have no leaves at the 1st node, and 1-1/2 blades on each leaf at the second node. The remaining leaf material appears to be healthy. I would like to still try for 4 colas, but if I top as recommended, will;
a. dormant buds sprout from location where first set of leaves were removed?,
b. remaining leaves be capable of powering sufficient growth?

I know I have the option of leaving the plant alone, but I see this as a very productive method, and would like to use it if there is a good chance it will succeed with the plant in this condition.

Thanks!
 

AlmightySteve

Active Member
Um, something different happened with my plant. The first pic shows exactly where I topped the plant, with the very beginning of the new growths on either side.


Here's the latest picture from today showing the new sprouts.

This puts things in perspective. Red means since topping, blue means before topping.


Notice at the bottom how the leaves from before topping aren't there. Well they died. My fault, not enough water.


So yeah, I topped the plant once, and now I have 8 new colas growing in. If it makes a difference, I topped while I only had pairs of 3 bladed leaves. Some of the new sets are about to grow 5 bladed leaves though, I can already see it.

I just read more of this thread and know why i got 8 new tops. So my question is, should I remove the top half of the plant?
 

Uncle Ben

Well-Known Member
I just read more of this thread and know why i got 8 new tops.
Yay, you get a big fat kudo! Good on ya. Understanding plant responses as opposed to blindly following grower advice is what becoming a master gardener is all about.

So my question is, should I remove the top half of the plant?
Uh oh......it's back to square one. :p

OK, just leave well enough alone.
 

born2killspam

Well-Known Member
As UB has said, when you top higher its iffy what energy will get put where further down the line.. Your total yield will still depend on the root system, and light use efficiency though..
 
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