COCO COIR Topping time? Aspiring ScrOGger

[oilymichael]

Hey y’all, I’m running a Tangie photoperiod in coco coir in a 2x2 tent, and I’m planning on using LBH’s ScrOG technique, but the instructions were a little confusing and I want to make sure I understand correctly.

My plant just grew her first official five leaf (first picture), and to my understanding, I should now top the new growth above it (red line in the second picture).




Is this correct? Additionally, should I remove all the way down to the nodes or leave a tiny bit of stem?

Any input here is helpful!

(Apologies for lack of specific environment details, I didn’t think any of them were particularly relevant to deciding where to top, please let me know if any additional info is needed)

[DabberDog]

Here come the opinions.
I'd wait one more. Why? Just because. Some folks are going to tell you to do it now for pretty much the same reason.
Trim to the very bottom of the nodes you want to remove. Or, trim as far away from the top-most nodes you are keeping. The bigger the nub you leave, the less chance of splitting during LST.

[Allenpro]

Sounds like you may have split a stalk or 2, lol

[dirtymike]

Between 4th and 5th node. You got about 6 inches to go unless you are planning on a little stunt action. It's to young and yellow.

[Allenpro]

I agree it doesnt look that healthy

[Ckbrew]

Above node 4. Node count starts at the first single lobed serrated leaf which would be node 0. I always remove node and shoot 0 as they usually are under performers. This Lets the plant grow a bit before hitting it with the top. The growth below the two branches is removed. Consider this. You have a 2x2, why would you want to go only laterally with only one plant? If you topped above node 4 and kept all four shoots you would have 8 branches that radiate out equally. Or keep two nodes for 4 branches. I would think this would be better use of the available area you have to grow in. Or maybe try a traditional manifold. The plant could still be grown through the mesh screen like you wanted it to be. But it is your grow and you can make it what you want.

[dirtymike]

Yes, been doing this for a year now. Count 0,1,2, 3,4.........

[oilymichael]

From what I had read, it seemed like scrogging is the best way to take advantage of a small surface area, manifold might be the way to go though.

You also touched on another point I was going to bring up eventually, is it too early to start removing some of the bottom nodes? I had some WEIRD growth on the bottom and it feels unnecessarily dense and like an energy sink.

[Ckbrew]

If you're going to cut a part of the plant off that you don't want, my philosophy is cut it as soon as the plant does not need it to survive. No sense in spending plant energy on something that will be removed.

[Allenpro]

I find LBH’s ScrOG technique seriously lacking detail pictures and the pictures seem to jump around between different plants. Not to say he doesnt know what he is doing but he sucks at giving detail instructions. I say "He" but I have no clue really.
What is the vertical height available and what kind of light are you using?

[dirtymike]

He's fukin stoned dude

[Allenpro]

So what your point? I usually am by the time I get on here in the evenings

[oilymichael]

I have 6ft available with a 115w AC Infinity Ionboard light

[GrowNinja]

Hello!

Honestly id follow this thread's advice, wait a bit longer, wait for the plant to mature. There is absolutely no downside to let it grow a node or two more. Then just cut to the 3rd ( I'm doing this by following nebula's manifold guide)
Roots and the main stalk will have developed more and it will support the grow of the new " nodes " or "colas" way way way better.

Good luck !

[Allenpro]

I have better yeilds with Nugbuckets method but both work well. Either way, dont get in a hurry

[oilymichael]

If anyone is still subscribed to this, thanks everyone for the input, I really liked what I saw in Nugbuckets’ method and that seems much more doable. I’ve got 5 solid nodes here, and I’m honestly debating topping to node 4 instead of node 3 due to the weird ass growth under 3, any thoughts?

Also starting to think it might soon be ready to transplant to the final 5 gal container, not sure if I should do that before or after topping.


(also, I had an airflow problem around the soil that is much better now)

[Wayzee]

Transplant get them settled and then top.! I agree stripping the first set of shoots and leaves you can do this when topping, you may need to remove more when flowering starts and you can see what's going to get light exposure and what's not. It's ready now I reckon especially for a tent grow, Where you top it is up to how many decent heads are you hoping to achieve and how much time you are going to veg for. Personally I'd be leaving node 4 maybe even 5 because of the mutant growth down the bottom.

[Allenpro]

If that is a cloth pot, you can just put it directly in a larger pot and the roots will grow right through it I have one growing outside like that, I will try to remember to take a photo tomorrow