Trimming for a higher Yield

[Melkorx5]

25 days into my grow, it occured to me that I may increase the yield or growth speed by trimming.

On the main stem, at each node, there are 4 branches, 2 sets of 2. The Bottom branch of each set reaches out to form a set of leaves, and thats it. The top branch forms many sets of new leaves, new branches, and a site from which to eventually bud.

My question, should i cut the bottom branches, so what is left is the fruiting branch, so energy is diverted from the bottom branches to the others?

I think that was intelligible, idk. Im fuggin highhhhh. :jointsmile:

Melkorx5 Reviewed by Melkorx5 on 03-14-2009. Trimming for a higher Yield 25 days into my grow, it occured to me that I may increase the yield or growth speed by trimming. On the main stem, at each node, there are 4 branches, 2 sets of 2. The Bottom branch of each set reaches out to form a set of leaves, and thats it. The top branch forms many sets of new leaves, new branches, and a site from which to eventually bud. My question, should i cut the bottom branches, so what is left is the fruiting branch, so energy is diverted from the bottom branches to the Rating: 5

[Lit Up]

Not a very good idea. How do you think that plant catches light to make food? The fan leaves, those big leaves on your plant.

Now with lower branches that are turning yellow or something, they will fall off when they are ready. IMO you just wasting your time and hurting your plant.
Think of it as someone cutting off your toes. Your going to focus more on your toe than anything else. The plant with be like "SHIT!, that hurt" and focus on repairing the damage, thus stressing it and slowing down bud production.

?'s

[Dutch Pimp]

Some old debates:....choose wisely....

http://boards.cannabis.com/advanced-...an-leaves.html

[Melkorx5]

Not a very good idea. How do you think that plant catches light to make food? The fan leaves, those big leaves on your plant.

I wouldnt cut off all of them, just the lower ones, that already arnt getting much light because of shadows.

Now with lower branches that are turning yellow or something, they will fall off when they are ready. IMO you just wasting your time and hurting your plant.

This is logical, with the exception of wasting time. If the plant diverted energy away from growing the unused branches, it would go to its growth.

Think of it as someone cutting off your toes. Your going to focus more on your toe than anything else. The plant with be like "SHIT!, that hurt" and focus on repairing the damage, thus stressing it and slowing down bud production.
?'s

I am not so convinced. At this time in its life, it doesnt even have pre-flowers yet, so it would not stunt their growth.

However, this is just playing off of my logic, not prior experience.

[Lit Up]

My question, should i cut the bottom branches, so what is left is the fruiting branch, so energy is diverted from the bottom branches to the others?

My bad, this lead me to believe that it was budding.

This is logical, with the exception of wasting time. If the plant diverted energy away from growing the unused branches, it would go to its growth.

If you want to increase your yield look into LST or topping. Recently, I have become a big fan of topping, so the lower branches actually grow faster and become useful.

[Rusty Trichome]

I wouldnt cut off all of them, just the lower ones, that already arnt getting much light because of shadows.

Fans and lower leaves are the plants mobile nutrient/micronutrient/hormone storehouse. (they store the mobile elements for use as needed by the plant) If your nutrient regimen is spot-on, not much to worry about. But if you are a beginner just eeking-out a struggling garden...it is recommended you leave them alone.

This is logical, with the exception of wasting time. If the plant diverted energy away from growing the unused branches, it would go to its growth.

You can pay her now, or pay her later. Every leaf you remove...every branch you cull, removes another little piece of the plant's energy storehouse. Plus, she can take up to two weeks to recover, depending on how much you've butchered her, and if her needs are being met during recovery.
You've already topped her, right? So now you want to "bottom" her also...? What next, removing all the interior leaves and shoots, too?

Do a side-by-side, see what results you prefer. Perhaps you like stunted plants.

I am not so convinced. At this time in its life, it doesnt even have pre-flowers yet, so it would not stunt their growth.

<sigh> If all you want to do is argue...then do whatever makes you comfortable. You've been offered links and tips to help you make the right choice.

However, this is just playing off of my logic, not prior experience.

We are offering you assistance using both. :jointsmile:

[Weedhound]

I agree with Rusty. You may think it makes sense; give it a try on a few plants and I bet you change your mind in a hurry. Like Rusty says EVERY SINGLE time you pull, break, "fix" etc you are redirecting the plant's time and energy to repair to said spot before it will continue growing. Sure you could get a monster plant.....in about 3 years with a root system the size of Rhode Island [providing you keep transplanting and your thin out your roots (which will die off naturally after they are not needed and cause root rot) to keep your nute ratios and ph balance in check.

Wouldn't really help your yield vs the amount of work it would take to keep such a plant happy. And at the rate it will grow; you can leave it to your kids in your will.

edit: I now read the plants are in flower. That's even a worse idea. Add a day's more bloom time for every couple leaves you pull. And that REALLY won't help your yield but they're your plants.

[Melkorx5]

Ah, my apologies, i considered this topic dead after LitUp's last post. Im gonna let em grow naturally, and top em in a couple days.

Thank you all for your input, and excuse me if i seemed argumentative.

[k1ng87]

I trim some of the fan leaves that prevent light from getting down to the lower bud sites, but I've never noticed my plant slowing down in growth. The lower bud sites are getting bigger now too as result of trimming those fan leaves I assume.

I'm also a big fan of fimming as it produces more node sites and makes your plant "denser" giving you more bud sites. I'll usually do it to 4 bud sites doing it every other.....

[Rusty Trichome]

Melkorx5: If the plants are in flower, do not top 'em. Period.

I trim some of the fan leaves that prevent light from getting down to the lower bud sites, but I've never noticed my plant slowing down in growth. The lower bud sites are getting bigger now too as result of trimming those fan leaves I assume.

For every fan leaf you remove, you are removing essential nutrients and minerals that can not be quickly replaced. Are you certain those fans aren't the ones supplying the cola with her minimum daily essentials? Are you stunting the best part of the plant to salvage a couple of secondary buds...?

I'm also a big fan of fimming as it produces more node sites and makes your plant "denser" giving you more bud sites. I'll usually do it to 4 bud sites doing it every other.....

You ought to try re-vegging. :jointsmile: