To top & train, or not?

[TheHighCountryM]

Does anyone top & train to get their plants to spread out & encompass more square footage while keeping more colas at an even height? Worthwhile, or simply adding more cycle time w/o much greater benefits (yield)?
And does anyone know, by increasing length of the vegetative cycle, does it stress the plants unduly, and are there any detrimental changes to the plants' physiology?

TheHighCountryM Reviewed by TheHighCountryM on 03-29-2010. To top & train, or not? Does anyone top & train to get their plants to spread out & encompass more square footage while keeping more colas at an even height? Worthwhile, or simply adding more cycle time w/o much greater benefits (yield)? And does anyone know, by increasing length of the vegetative cycle, does it stress the plants unduly, and are there any detrimental changes to the plants' physiology? Rating: 5

[demoreal]

everyones got there own style. some like doing that some don't. In my opinion It works great for some strains and not so great for others.
try it out, then next grow try something else.
personally, when I grow indica I never top. I just love getting a huge cola.
I fell in love with lolly popping most strains I grow. SOG style. this in no way means I will yield more than someone that tops and veges a bit longer.
Sativas I sometimes top, bend play around with. even with Sativas I sometimes just do a SOG.
its just my style does not make it a good one.
vegging longer won't stress the plant. flush every so often to prevent salt buildup.

[TruElements]

We have been using a combination of topping, LST, and ScrOG principles to maximize the use of light footprints, create an even canopy, and reduce plant numbers without sacrificing production.

Certainly some might think that indicas are less suited for this blend of techniques than sativas, but knowing how the strain grows coupled with some experience in these techniques makes the combination a winner in my eyes.