Early harvesting your cola

[Algag]

If I wanted to harvest my cola early and let the immature buds ripen up underneath, should I just chop off the whole cola on the main stem, or slice off the buds individually. What would put the least stress on the plant?

[LuciferN]

Well I'm not an expert about this, but I guess you can say that it will stress the plant, you are cutting growing part of the plant... But I don't think it will be to bad, there a lot of people around here getting one or more bud just to test.

[Algag]

Yeah I know that it will stress the plant regardless, but what I am looking for is whether it is better to slice off the whole cola at the main stem or to individually cut off the buds from the stem.

[stinkyattic]

Okay, I HAVE to say, I'ts stressful, blah blah, lol, but you already know that!
That being said, I would actually try to remove individual buds and leave the LEAVES if possible, and also avoid cutting into the main stem where it becomes hollow- a few inches from the top- to avoid letting pathogens in.
Of course, this close to the end of the life cycle, it's a bit academic :jointsmile:

[Algag]

Thanks. I sorta wanted to hang a fat cola but I will go ahead and slice and dice. The reason im asking is for harvesting a plant early, cloudy trichs. This usually leaves some immature buds. The plants that I want to mature fully won't have problems with small buds.

[stinkyattic]

Seriously this late in flower it is not a huge deal- if a big fat giant nug is important, go for it! When I top a plant, I either clip the top of the stem shut wit a binder clip, or stick a plastic wedge down the hole to prevent foreign objects entering.