To top or not to top

[dirtymike]

I usually make mistakes about around this phase. So far I have a few beauty's doing the transition to the vegetative stage. Most i have read say to top between the 4th and fifth node. Do i count the node with the cotyledon leaves?? Thanks Dirty

[Ckbrew]

If you are going to do it, you are at about the right size. The cotyledons and first single lobed serrated leaf would both be considered node zero, The next usually 3 lobed leaf would be number one. It helps to have a plan as for how you want to top and train the plant and have a finished structure you are thinking about.

[Bluey]

Autos or photos?

First showing of proper leaf, not cotyledons, is the transition from seedling to veg according to most of what I have read.

They're looking good.

[dirtymike]

Photo's Bluey, I haven't figured out auto's yet. LOL . Best beginners i've had in a long time. I usually drown them by now. Getting the hang of it.

[Bluey]

Oh cool. I love photos. All I've ever grown but I've got 10 auto seeds here and I'm slowly building up the courage to pop 8 of them for a quick auto run in the room...can't afford to drown them like I do with my photos.

I can't wait to try these. I have ;

2 "Sweet Mango" from Green House Seeds in Amsterdam, "3rd place “Best Autoflowering” in Expogrow-Irun 2015... https://shop.greenhouseseeds.nl/femi...et-mango-auto/

I'm yet to decide on the final line up but likely 4 Red CBD x AK47 & 2 Red CBD x Red CBD, both from a highly regarded extremely generous long time breeder in North America

[LemonBud]

I agree with Blueyand also cut at the 5th node not in between 4 and 5 nodes whats that 4 1/2. Good Luck

[Smallgrow]

I think LemonBud just means after the fifth node cut off the top.

That’s what I’ve settled on too
I saw some excellent growers do it after the third but for me that didn’t work out.
The fifth seems safe, I’ve done autos that way too, as long as they are in excellent heath to begin with

[Ckbrew]

third, fourth, fifty, It all depends on what structure is trying to be made. If manifold is the objective, third. everything else will be striped off. If quad or hexlining, 4 or 5. It all depends on what you want the plant to do.

[dirtymike]

My typical grow is Quad or helix Ckbrew, 4 - 8 colas usually. Forgot about Node 0. Waiting for 5th to get up and off with her head. I do 4 in a tent so it works out good. These i think will be tall so i got up and not much out, LOL

[MagicMike66]

I usually top at the 6th node then once the plants are a bit more established I remove the first node completely. I use manifold technique and always find the first node never results in anything worthwhile

[dirtymike]

I'm paying close attention to these, never had any to do so well right out of the gate. Real fresh Beans

[Rootsruler]

5th node cut back to 4th. Leave a half inch of stalk if you're going to be scrogging so that you don't split the branch when you're training.

[Bluey]

I've only ever topped photos and always 1st top above the 3rd node directly under the 4th so I leave on as much offcut as possible. I always wait until I have at least double what I need before topping so cut off 3 nodes of new growth. It slows things down a bit doing it that way but the plants just power on through it.

[Smallgrow]

Very interesting thoughts and approaches. Love learning new stuff in here.
So many different things to try, so little grow time

[golfnrl]

I top between the 5th and 6th node for autos and photos. I wasn't sure how the autos would respond, but I haven't noticed any negative affects.

[quirk]

1,000 words.

[Bluey]

An auto node numbering plant...that will sell