Cutting tops(pruning)

[genuinestoner]

HEllo all
I'm first time dude and i have a closet grow box, (2) comp. fans mounted
50 watt hps, (1) plant my baby seems to be doing well but when it reaches to the top of the growing space what will happen? 12" in. tall with a (1) gal. pot and in a few weeks it will reach the top. will it bend over or stop there and flower or should i cut the top and allow it to get bushier, and bud??
I always read the forums and i have learned alot.
Thanks for the help?

genuinestoner Reviewed by genuinestoner on 01-14-2005. Cutting tops(pruning) HEllo all I'm first time dude and i have a closet grow box, (2) comp. fans mounted 50 watt hps, (1) plant my baby seems to be doing well but when it reaches to the top of the growing space what will happen? 12" in. tall with a (1) gal. pot and in a few weeks it will reach the top. will it bend over or stop there and flower or should i cut the top and allow it to get bushier, and bud?? I always read the forums and i have learned alot. Thanks for the help? Rating: 5

[altwnyguy73]

dude, first you need about 1 gallon of dirt per foot of plant....light requirements for veg is 18 to 24 hrs a day...if I were you I would go 12-12 when your 6 inches high, dont top it ...you dont have enough light to reach the bottom leaves...going through that myself right now....if you flower(12-12) at 6 inches, the plant will finish at about 1 and a half feet...you should get a nice big top bud that way....and keepyour girl about a foot from the light or that hps will burn your leaves....luck to ya

[altwnyguy73]

sorry- if its 1 foot tal,l flower it now....you need a timer

[genuinestoner]

using timer 12/12 and at 6"tall started using hps, prior to that i was using (2) 20 watt flor's 2/3 insches above and at 6 in. lit up the box with 50 watt hps.
So i will not top it, however, if i let it just go and starts topping out of my box what could happen. Thanks

[adh endo]

im interested in that also, does it just depend on flowering lights times how tall the bush grows?

[altwnyguy73]

OK lets just say I am by far no expert. That said I have read everything I could find the last year about growing... From what I gather....lets do this in steps 4 indoors...

1. veg state is the beginning life of the plant. There is controversy whether or not an 18 or 24 cycle is best. I go 20 on 4 off, if for no other reason to cool the lights. You mustgive the girls at least 18 to flourish. Common opinion on this subject seems to be use fluorecents at this stage and keep them real close or the plants will stretch to the
light creating more space between nodes(sets of leaves). At this stage you top plants if you choose... never top when flowering. Here are two ways top to or prune .....

http://hightimes.com/ht/grow/content...talrecords=988

http://hightimes.com/ht/grow/content...talrecords=988

What you have to keep in mind is that, depending on plant strain, when you flower your plant can grow by as much as 2/3 in height. Take a 6 inch plant, flower in and you get about a one and a half foot plant by harvest. This is why I prefer the sea of green
method...

http://hightimes.com/ht/grow/content...talrecords=988

http://hightimes.com/ht/grow/content...talrecords=988

2. flowering...the good part...lol..when you think your plants are ready, change your light settings to 12/12 and flowering begins. Take note at this stage the plants fertililizer needs change. I recommend finding a hydro store near you and invest in liquid fertilizer to start...making a big difference here. Its a good bet they have what you need.(cannabis requires you maintain a Ph of between aprox. 5.5 and 8, 6.2-7.5 in "dirt") Just follow the directions, and watch the leaves for chem burn(overfertilization).
You need to watch under the nodes for sex... little hairs are female, little grape clusters or flowers are male(I use a cheap magnifying glass). You will know its time to harvest when the hairs on the buds turn about 70-80% brown or red(they start kinda whitish). Hope this helps and I didnt put you to sleep....peace, 420, Legalize it, I'm out!

[altwnyguy73]

final thought- hps lights are best for flowering- better light spectrum...but they shed alotta heat so generally you need about a foot of space between the plant and the light or your leaves will burn....later