topping - can it harm flowering?

[Nocturnal Stoner]

Hey guys,

got some sativa dominant stuff growing, and I've had to top it many times as the main stems grow far too long, I've cut it twice down to 3.5ft but it's gone up to 4.5ft. My question, is will cutting a main stem damage any bud production or will bud just begin to grow where I cut no matter where in the cycle?

[evertking]

It would slow down flowering.. Why not tie it down?

[Oh So Grow So]

hey evert,

I've got the same (60/40 sativa/indica) type of plant. Mine arent that tall yet but they are definately growing at a vary rapid rate (18" - 28 days old). I'm setting up my flowering room over the weekend/next week and will be moving two females (hopefully, still waiting to see) to the flower rooom and will have more space for LSTing.

my question is When is it too late to LST?

[evertking]

You can tie her down at anytime.. careful not to snap anything as the stems harden... Which reminds me... my girlfriend is going to be here soon..gotta go. ;)
LST (http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-faqs/103319-lst-low-stress-training.html)
Nice video BTW
Good luck!

[Nocturnal Stoner]

I would tie it down but it's outdoors and might look a bot fishy, I'll try it later today, thanks for the help.

[Raftastic]

I would tie it down but it's outdoors and might look a bot fishy, I'll try it later today, thanks for the help.

Hoping for an indian summer then mate,i'm attempting my 1st grow planted the seeds on the 1st of the month,binned 3 as the leaves looked like they had rust spots on them i started them of with a normal light (dont laugh people) and have since moved them onto CFL's one has grown like a bitch and is only just starting to grow extra stems i have 8 full stems so far with the biggest leaves the size of my hand (like i said 1st timer) i'm not expecting to get anything from them but i'll carry on regardless live and learn as they say.

[stinkyattic]

Yes, topping can harm flower production if done too late. Allow 2-3 weeks to heal up before starting 12/12 or if you are outdoors, preferably do topping in June.

[Oh So Grow So]

Thank a bunch man!

[KL4D4]

So Stinky I shouldn't top my plant right now going into August?

[stinkyattic]

Right. At this point, just let her be. You should be starting to kill males any day now though.

[KL4D4]

Hm sad Its over 5ft tall as it is now and I was hoping to make the plant not stick out as much. I've been adding some molasses with watering and it's been responding well even in veg. I assume this is the case because its size.

[stinkyattic]

Well why don't you just lean it over and clip it to something then?
Just make sure that it is LEANING and not BENT so that the main growing tip still maintains apical dominance. Basically, the part that is highest now, leave it as the highest part of the tree, just lean the whole tree over a bit if you can without harming the stem.

[KL4D4]

I like the idea perhaps I could move it just a bit and have it bend over another plant nearby to make a mini scrog I guess... yes yes...

[4fingerlid]

On my first outdoor grow, I was so worried about stealth that I kept pruning it all the way into flower. Funny thing, I got a large yield and it didnt seem to hurt my plants at all.

[qdavid]

I was thinking about topping my sativa dominant (60/40) skunk, cause my cab is only 33" tall, and I had also read about using the FIM method. I emailed the seed company and he replied saying with that strain he always waits to top until about 2 weeks before 12/12. But I've decided to just tie 'em down (LST). Then I put in a ScrOG screen in after 12/12. I did that all last time. Worked great. I'm probably gonna try a reveg this time too. I got a bunch of seeds, but i think I just wanna try that.

[stinkyattic]

Topping anf FIM both need recovery time.

[razzapiggy]

Always tempted to try the SCROG thing out, it looks beautiful to have an even canopy all the buds enjoying the nice light up top. New growers however be warned, sometimes it's smarter to get growing down under your belt (and your strain) before doing a SCROG system... hell, it might be smart to learn what plants want\need to grow strong and yield well naturally before even topping or LSTing in my opinion.

I have grown indoors three times now, and I feel like I am just now starting to figure this thing out. Don't get me wrong, 2 of the 3 of my yields have far exceeded my expectations, and were on pace with most people who have grown for longer than myself... but every single cycle I've done thus far I always end up thinking about things I could have done to make it better.

That said, if you wanna try SCROG or LST or Topping, that's fine... go for it. But there's a certain level of risk associated with it as well. I've topped exactly two plants in my life, one of which turned hermie on me... had I not been paying close attention and known what to look for in a hermie... I would have had an entire crop of seeds.

Doing a SCROG set up is alot of work, you really really need to know how to train those plants for it to work effectively. Just my .02