foggylondontown: When you top, everything below it will starts growing and trying to be the meristem. So to answer your question, you can top below the 5th node though it isn't really recommended fo the most part. Only the nodes that are present below the topping will grow out, then nodes on tose branches will grow out if you top those as well.

To top or not to top is really a question of strain and growers preference. As said above, another great option is LST. I have height restrictions so I have always used LST, but I recently topped the current grow I have going as well. Some strains will bush out more with a topping-especially strains that aren't all that branchy to begin with. I was recommended to top my blueberries by the breeder I bought them from, and I am glad I did.

As for the statement that you will sacrafice yield by topping--I personally don't agree--in fact topping can increase yield--but again this strain dependednt and also depends on your growing set up (I know...single cola SOG ).

Of course topping a plant while in the flowering stage (not deadheading/pinching) but taking the whole thing would not be too smart...

hope this helps a little,
bluehue
bluehue Reviewed by bluehue on . Simple Topping Question First, I would like to apologize for the seemingly pointless questions I have been asking lately, but it has really helped me get a grasp on this process as a whole. I really appreciate the time you guys take for answering my questions. I was just wondering, I heard not to top until the 5th node forms. If you top at an early enough age will the new growths grow nodes and form branches? If they do can you top again for even more colas? Rating: 5