Pruning alternating nodes question????

[WaTzRelLyGoOd]

i have tried to prune my clones in the past and they have alternating nodes and when i did cut off new growth it just stopped growing for a while and did not break into 2 branches like my clones that dont have alternating nodes. is there a special way im supposed to prune the alternating nodes? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

WaTzRelLyGoOd Reviewed by WaTzRelLyGoOd on 10-20-2008. Pruning alternating nodes question???? i have tried to prune my clones in the past and they have alternating nodes and when i did cut off new growth it just stopped growing for a while and did not break into 2 branches like my clones that dont have alternating nodes. is there a special way im supposed to prune the alternating nodes? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks. Rating: 5

[Rusty Trichome]

Once she's old enough for alternating internodes, it's too late for topping.
Using a stake and some twist-ties, you can bend the growing tip down as far as it it seems possible without damage. This promotes side-branching. Not quite the same as topping, but usually fills in nicely.

Carefully bend her top down to a level below the rest of the plant. (bamboo stake and twist ties) This promotes side branching which will give some pretty good secondary (non-cola) buds. Takes half a day or so after tying her down, but the growing tip will eventually turn itself 'up' to the light. Ease-up (light breeze) with the fans for a couple of days till the stalk strengthens.

You can do a search for the LSTTT technique (Low Stress Twisty Tie Training, I think)

Also...make sure the clones are well rooted before attempting this. :jointsmile:

[Help_Needed]

Once she's old enough for alternating internodes, it's too late for topping.

I'm not sure I'd agree with this. My clones start out with alternating nodes because they come from a mother that was taken during late flower. I've had no trouble topping them and they seem to grow just like any other plant I've topped. Maybe that's just the strain I'm working with, though.

[WaTzRelLyGoOd]

i think that is the best answer to my question. Its prolly cause i cloned it from the mother when it was alternating nodes.

[Rusty Trichome]

I'm not sure I'd agree with this. My clones start out with alternating nodes because they come from a mother that was taken during late flower. I've had no trouble topping them and they seem to grow just like any other plant I've topped. Maybe that's just the strain I'm working with, though.

By the time a mother plant is mature, (5 to 7 internodes, or so) her shoots are in alternating mode. If you top a shoot in alternating mode, it will grow one new shoot from that internode. If you top a young plant with symmetrical internode spacing, you get two shoots. (one from each side of the stem)

Topping a plant with alternating internodes nets you no real gains, and stresses a couple of weeks healing time into the process. Have you tried bending and tying the rooted clones to promote more side branching?