Topping vs Breaking vs Bending vs LST - a photojournal

I was recently experimenting with some plants and figured this is a great chance to illustrate the differences of each technique. I am not saying one is better than another or one yields more, simply trying to help growers visualize the concepts and view them right next to each other, using the same plants, same age, lighting, nutes, atmosphere, etc

So onto the details.

Plants were all Nirvana Aurora Indica clones, nearly identical in size and nodes, rooted and transplanted to 16 0z cups on 3/10/07.
Light source is a single 4' fixture with 2 x Philips 40 watt daylight (6500K) bulbs. Light schedule 24/0
Distance to plant tops from light was ~ 1 inch, maintained by raising lower/shorter plants to same level
Temps were a consistent 65-68 degrees, plenty of fresh air
Watered individually by container weight, ~ 2x a week
Foliar feeding only for all 1xweek with Fox Farms Grow Big (6-4-4) - 1 tsp/gal PH 6.4
All alternative techniques were started on 8th day of xplant into cups ie 3/18/07- giving 7 days to settle in and one feeding - All were on node 4
Pics are from Day 31 after xplanting rooted clones. Std. DVD case used for size reference

Now onto the show!

Control plant - no alternative techniques used

Topped Plant - at day 8, the main grow tip was cut off with a sterile razor blade.

I read about this technique somewhere, but had never put it into action. This plant had the stem physically broken in

1/2 about 2 nodes (1/2way) down from the top. Broken 3/4+ of the way throug, the "dangling" portion was held up in place by the rim of the cup, so it was held at a right angle and healed. There is a huge (nearly 2x stem diameter) knot where the break was. Notice that the tip stopped growing and it did not revert to an upright growth position/phototropism until the plant healed sufficiently, approximately ~ 10-12 days after the breaking. meanwhile, everything under the break got a huge growth spurt.

Again, a technique I had read about, but never introduced before. Also called "breaking the hurd" or "crushing the hurd", I took the stem of this plant (in the same place as the one I broke), yet this time , just gently crushed the stem flat with a pair of needle nose pliers. It instantly dropped to below a 90 degree angle, actually pointed down, but reverted to growing up within 2 or three days. I continued to crush the stems of the tallest parts about once a week.

LST'ed plant - This plant was tied down with dental floss and tape, starting with the main stem on day 8 tied down to well over a 90 degree angle, taking care not to bend or crack the stems at all. Subsequent parts were tied down as they grew taller, once a week.

Hopefully this gives a good idea of what groeth patterns are associated with each style. Also keep in mind that container size plays a HUGE role in the outcome, and if all these were flowered now, all would likely give similar yield. Had the containers been larger, perhaps some of the alternate techniques would prove greater root growth. When I transplant them in a couple of days I'll make sure to take pics of the roots as well

This thread is FREAKIN great! KEEP posting. That's an order...lol. no seriously, I'm watching and thanks for sharing!!

:jointsmile: Bree

Excellent thread and thoroughly done. I'll be dying to see the results!!! Thanks!!!!:)

Sweet Tokudai ,
Once exp. is done , look into making it a sticky or FAQ so noobs can get info on alternative methods all in 1 place . Not as much hunting would have to be done on their part = hopefully eliminating some of the more comon noob q's / threads on any or all these techniques .
Peace bro.
Crispi :jointsmile: