When to top lower branches?

Do I let them grow out to 7 nodes like I did the apical meristem? Or top them sooner? I know it might be preference but I’m in a 2x2x4 and I want it to touch wall to wall then flip. I’ve been training the bottom branches to grow outwards to the edge of the pot and then I’ll top a few up top. I trimmed off 4 big fan leaves, they covered whole plant.

AlmightyJumpman said:

Do I let them grow out to 7 nodes like I did the apical meristem? Or top them sooner? I know it might be preference but I’m in a 2x2x4 and I want it to touch wall to wall then flip. I’ve been training the bottom branches to grow outwards to the edge of the pot and then I’ll top a few up top. I trimmed off 4 big fan leaves, they covered whole plant.

Click to expand...

I count 20 something bud sites. Including the branches new growth

There are no hard and fast rules. I think waiting until 7 nodes for the main stem is just to ensure the plant gets somewhat established before you start pruning it.

Notice the overall structure and growth habit of the plant - every spot where a fan leaf grows off of a stem/branch is a node, and in the crotch of that node is a growing tip, a point where a new stem/branch can start to grow from.

If you cut off the end of a branch or stem (aka topping it), all the nodes below where you cut will be encouraged to form new stems/branches, because the outermost growing tip doesn't exist anymore. When the plant starts to flower, all those growing tips will start to form flowers instead of elongating their stems. If the stem is still short, the bud will form very close to the branch it's growing out of, if the stem is longer then the bud will be farther out from the branch.

Just use that logic when deciding where/when to top or remove growing tips/stems along larger branches, to shape the plant to your liking.

You can also bend growing tips downward, which will encourage other growing tips to grow upward faster (on the same branch or other branches below it), without having to remove anything from the plant (aka low-stress training).

If your space is only 2x2x4, you might want to limit how much you top, because it could easily get overcrowded once flowering starts.

Good luck!

AlmightyJumpman said:

Do I let them grow out to 7 nodes like I did the apical meristem? Or top them sooner? I know it might be preference but I’m in a 2x2x4 and I want it to touch wall to wall then flip. I’ve been training the bottom branches to grow outwards to the edge of the pot and then I’ll top a few up top. I trimmed off 4 big fan leaves, they covered whole plant.

Click to expand...

You can top as much as you want they just need a lil recovery time in-between and just remember to give them at least a week before you flip em from your last topping when your happy with em

Ya don't have to top a plant to gain a wide plant. There
are excellent options that achieve the same thing without removing material from the plant.


Removing a top your removing 3 bud sites to gain two and you slow down growth for a minute.If the branch is simply bent over it continues to throw off branching as it grows.

I use training and something I call floater screens to maintain a canopy. There's no need to top to gain multiple colas sites. Topping is just another method. It works but is in not the only way.

Fatjoe said:

Ya don't have to top a plant to gain a wide plant. There
are excellent options that achieve the same thing without removing material from the plant.

View attachment 5452408View attachment 5452409
Removing a top your removing 3 bud sites to gain two and you slow down growth for a minute.If the branch is simply bent over it continues to throw off branching as it grows.

I use training and something I call floater screens to maintain a canopy. There's no need to top to gain multiple colas sites. Topping is just another method. It works but is in not the only way.
View attachment 5452406View attachment 5452407

Click to expand...

Ohhhh, that shit will getcha di** hard!!
***Not discriminating against toasters or the other wise****

Woedae said:

Ohhhh, that shit will getcha di** hard!!
***Not discriminating against toasters or the other wise****

Click to expand...

It's just an alternative to topping is all. Lol

Fatjoe said:

It's just an alternative to topping is all. Lol

Click to expand...

I dig it bro, and you've nailed it!

Fatjoe said:

Ya don't have to top a plant to gain a wide plant. There
are excellent options that achieve the same thing without removing material from the plant.

View attachment 5452408View attachment 5452409
Removing a top your removing 3 bud sites to gain two and you slow down growth for a minute.If the branch is simply bent over it continues to throw off branching as it grows.

I use training and something I call floater screens to maintain a canopy. There's no need to top to gain multiple colas sites. Topping is just another method. It works but is in not the only way.
View attachment 5452406View attachment 5452407

Click to expand...

Sheesh, you think I can achieve that in my 2x2x4? I essentially want a full tent from wall to wall then I flip while maintaining a level canopy. I’ll take some pics when the lights come back on at 8 but I tried to bend my stem and the root base was coming with it so I stopped lol. I know I waited to long. I’m growing a 60/40 indica dominant so the stem got too thick for that. I’m really confused on the training aspect of it all, I’m currently training all my stems now I swear I feel like I’m not doing something right. Like your garden, not really sure how to achieve that. Granted it’s my first grow but still. Did you lollipop?

You'll be fine. Top them if ya want to. I was just showing you an option.

A 2x2 it would be easy to fill w one plant. The screens I use are 21x20 so one would do it. There's tons of training info here and on the web. My thread I do a lot of training if your interested.

First grows just keep it basic n simple. Enjoy the grow and make ya some nice nuggets to puff on.