is it true?

is it true that if you use a shallow wide pot it will grow shorter and rounder?

no, thats just bad for the plant IMO. give your plant as much room for its roots as you can just for the plants health and sucess. if you want it short and rounder you gotta top it. also, research different strains; some grow shorter than others.

Your plant will just get very rootbound, and MJ dont like that at all. They like to have the room to stretch their feet. Also, topping is only one opyion for keeping them down. Try tying down your plant. This keeps them nice and short, while letting the under growth go buck wild, and the undergrowth is where the buds come from!!

tie down? would i just bend the plant over or what?

Yes. You would take some small twine, or what ever and attach it loosely around the top of your plant and SLOWLY bend it down and anchor it to either the pot top or the base of your plant. This bending may take a couple of days so you dont break the stem. Be careful not to "snap" the stem. Bend it slowly until you can tie it. If you bend too far too quick, you will hear it "snap" and thats not good.

I have heard of people snap-bending instead of tying, but I dont recommend it unless you know what your doing. Hope this helps.-emtpockets:D

thanks all. this is my first grow and i need all the help i can get.

Do some reading and you wont have to ask these simple questions.