Topping or not

[Shazaxe]

My first grow, and wondering should I top or doing any lst training or just let the plant grow naturally...

Growing in a tent

[Gingerbeard]

Auto, fem, or photo? What is your setup? How much research have you done on topping and LST?

[Shazaxe]

Photo, 4x4 tent with 4 plants

Done lots of research for topping and lst

Was planning 2 top as im following a guide but the more i read and close it is to do it im not so sure

[Gingerbeard]

You have the space and right sort of seed for topping. It may be your first time but don't be daunted. There really isn't much to it beyond when to top. When to top is pretty much any time after your third full set of leaves, an inch above a node. The only difference between growing a topped plant and an untopped plant is the number of main colas. Otherwise, light is the same, nutrients are the same. pH, temps, humidity. All the same.
The other side of the coin is, you don't know what you're doing and letting a plant do its thing is a good way to get your feet wet. Even growing naturally, a little LST is usually necessary.

[OldManGrower]

Do it! There is nothing too it really, takes a second and can double your yield. I am 100% in the LST, Topping and Defoliation camp

[Shazaxe]

Does this look right then to top the 5th node...had some else day with how the first few nodes are close it wouldn't benefit from topping

[Gingerbeard]

If I were topping my plants, above node 4 would be my cut.
Be careful not to cut too close to the 4th node. You want to leave as much of a nub as you can to give it strength when you pull the new growth apart.

[1toke]

Top it and LST will benefit from both.

[Shazaxe]

Thank you all decided to top and take the first node for my blue dream and ak47 hoping the green crack and 24k gold catch up

[Gingerbeard]

Nice!
How many fans do you have?

[Shazaxe]

Got the inline uptop (gonna move outside the tent get some more room.)

A 6in blowing on the canopy tops

and a 9in above the light blowing down

[Gingerbeard]

Well, then I don't have much more to say. Fans are important.
Keep us updated on that fine looking dope!