Where do I cut to FIM? (with photos)

[PlainJane]

I'm slightly confused and I'd like to be certain. I've seen a few FIM threads here and these links but I want to be sure before I slice into one of them.

To FIM, I cut 80-90% off of the topmost node, preferably in a crescent shape, is that correct?

So where the blue arrow is pointing in this photo below?

[attachment=o203272] (fairly high res)

And is that the correct amount to cut or should I cut higher up or lower down than where the yellow slit is?

I think I'm just a bit nervous about it because seems like such a cruel thing to do to a plant, but I feel like I should try it and now is the time. I probably have 2 weeks more of veg before I 12/12. That's a Dutch Passion White Widow and I hear they can be a bit fierce and unruly in their flowering growth.

Also, to those of you who have FIMed, which plants do you usually choose to FIM? Your strongest fastest grower or the next one down or what? I don't really have the heart to FIM my fastest toughest grower and hope I don't pay the price later down the line when she grows like, well, a weed.

Thanks.

PlainJane Reviewed by PlainJane on 10-01-2008. Where do I cut to FIM? (with photos) I'm slightly confused and I'd like to be certain. I've seen a few FIM threads here and these links but I want to be sure before I slice into one of them. To FIM, I cut 80-90% off of the topmost node, preferably in a crescent shape, is that correct? So where the blue arrow is pointing in this photo below? (fairly high res) And is that the correct amount to cut or should I cut higher up or lower down than where the yellow slit is? Rating: 5

[Rusty Trichome]

Looks about right. Possibly a bit lower-down, (1/16" or so) otherwise you end-up with only two cola's, and a bunch of weirded-out half-leaves. It's a technique that's hit-or-miss, at least with me. Sometimes I get two cola's, sometimes up to 6 or 8. If doing this to more than one plant, beware of the likely uneven growth.
Now-a-days, I just 'pop' the top, and am happy about the two cola's. You can also 'pop' the tops off the two resulting branches, making four cola's, but after that, it switches to alternating internodes. (depending on when you started topping)

If doing one, might as well do 'em all. Normally I'd say to experiment with only one...but with this technique it's kinda hard to screw-up. (FIM stands for "fudge, I missed" anyway)
Can try a bit higher than your line and a bit lower...and see which you like better...and spend the rest of your life trying to duplicate the sucessful ones, lol. They'll all survive, but single-shot multi-branching is hit-n-miss. Depends on what the repair tissue decides to become, from what I understand.

[PlainJane]

Thanks Rusty T. I don't have the nerve to do more than one and I've almost talked myself out of doing it at all but what the hell, they say fortune favours the brave. I'm going to LST my runt and FIM another and leave the other 3 kids alone, hopefully not at my peril if they rocket up like madwomen during flowering.

[PlainJane]

I ended up FIMing one of my plants that was always a bit tall and thin, thought I could fatten her up.

The best close up I could get and the cuttings.

[attachment=o203298] [attachment=o203299]

Can you believe I actually felt bad? What a girl!

I'll get a better photo of it tomorrow outside of the cabinet and post it here.

[Rusty Trichome]

Kinda like pulling wings off butterfly's...ya get used to it after the first few.
(just kidding, of course)