Topped... Was it too early?

[dphipps1020]

Topped these girls already, wanted to get a jump start on the manifold. They're at the 2 week mark, think that's too early? Don't mind the 2 in the middle. They're catching up now but I don't think they were the best seeds. Got them out of a bag from the dispensary, strain is called Str8 Lemonade. Just wanted some opinions on timing. Going to be growing these ladies for at least 2.5 months still before flowering, I have an 8'x8' to fill up.

[Motoman15]

I always top at 4th or 5th growth node regardless of how I plan on training. They might be ok, but it looks like you cut too early.

[RagWeedDWC]

I think a little early, topping after fourth node seems to work for me. It will be interesting to see how they progress.

[alltatup]

In my opinion, your timing is way off. The seedling's had no chance to grow leaves and pick up steam. Way too early to top. I hope she grows.

[SoOrbudgal]

I must agree to early.

[dphipps1020]

So they are growing. I knew they would I just didn't know if it will slow it down or make it faster. More info - I did top at the 2nd node. My thought is that instead of spending so much energy on new (pretty much pointless) leaves growing up one node at a time, it can use the energy to grow 2 nodes instead. Just a theory I have and if anyone else has done both ways, please feel free to offer your input. It hasn't quite been 2 days yet but these pictures are of the same lady and the group. All of them have grown a bit already but I used the same lady for reference. Am I right on track still, behind now, or ahead? I will keep posting pictures to update progress.

[Canuck147]

Your way behind - you should be training at the same time you topped.
Had you let a couple more nodes develop - your plants would have had the start of branches which could have been trained.

[steve]

remember to feed after you top and if you are going to "top" again wait 2 weeks (1/1/2 weeks if you can't wait)

[dphipps1020]

I'm not feeding, using amended soil so I just water. Not topping again until I have my 3 nodes for my manifold. That will be another week or 2 I think.

[Tersky]

Another reason you wait until the 4th-6th node is also so your roots can grow out. More roots = more nutrient absorption = faster growth = faster recovery. Way too early IMO. Next time i would wait until 5th node and top at third node.

[dphipps1020]

My goal is to try to keep the 10 going in my 2x2' while my 4x4' tents are finishing flowering, without running out of room. I still have a few weeks to go on that. I would like to finish the manifold on them so when I do switch tents they can just grow for the next 2-3 months before I throw them in my 8x8' for flower. I did have a plan with this but also kind of experimenting. Trying to get the timing right for my next ladies so I will always have plenty going, in every stage. I have researched and read a lot on GWE but haven't really been able to find my personal groove yet. I feel like I finally am getting the techniques (even though I topped early) and I am going to stick with soil. I will probably keep my bubbleponic system going. I originally started with hydro but I keep running into problems because I don't pay enough attention sometimes. Anyway, thanks for all the input everyone.

[dphipps1020]

Updated pictures!!! So it's day 45 from seed now and I have already topped a second time. They're growing fast and almost ready for bigger pots and the next tent. I realize they're short but that's part of the reason I topped just above node 2. I figure the shorter the trunk, the more I can grow the branches (in theory) and make the colas just a bit bigger. Hoping it yields me more with the limited height of my tents (about 7' tall). I will be topping these again in a couple weeks after they're in bigger pots and in my 4x4' tent. Just wanted to update you all on the progress. And yes the middle 2 are still straggling behind unfortunately.

[dphipps1020]

UPDATE: have switched tents recently and just transplanted last night

[dphipps1020]

UPDATE! Got a nice canopy going, now just trying to get a little more height and bud sites. Figure maybe another 6-10" taller and they'll be a good height for flowering. Also switched one of the 4x4' tents back to MH (500W) and going to continue growing these 6 for the next 2 weeks or so. The other 4 I'm going to keep growing, swap from LED to the MH tent and train them to be wider and taller. I also have a few clones going (not very well, I didn't leave the dome off to acclimate them before transplanting so they suffered a bit) and I'm going to do a side by side comparison with a seedling in hydro and soil. I feel like even with the small setback of topping too early, things are going good.

[Sledrock]

@dphipps1 You sure are an Ambitious Grower. BTW: Plants look healthy! Good Luck with your Manifolding endeavor! I'm anxious to see how it turns out.

[dphipps1020]

I am addicted for sure! I have 9 seedlings going right now too that I'm trying the quadlining technique on (about 3 weeks old). Figure that should cut off a couple weeks on the manifold because I will only be topping twice instead of 3 times. May do an experiment and do half quadlined and half mainlined just to see them side by side. Yes, plants are very healthy so far and I could switch them now but I want to get more out of them than my current flowers so I'm going to wait a little longer.