Cut side branch with bud? To let mainline bud from?

[Alexn]

Hey guys, this is my second grow and first time doing a manifold.

Untill now I have removed all side shoots and only left the 8 main branches. But now that I'm getting close to the end of stretch I don't know if I should remove them. And let the bud form only on the main branches.

I can't decide because the buds on the offshoots are more developed than the little one on the main stems. I attached a picture so you can see what I'm talking about. Red is the offshoot/side branch. And blue is small bud waiting to form on main stem.

Because of this difference in development I'm afraid of cutting it off. But I think I will go forward with cutting the side branch.

What do you guys recommend?

[golfnrl]

Based on the pic I don't think I would cut anything, yet. That bud is going to phatten up. Can you put up a pic of the whole plant?

[golfnrl]

I'd like to see the whole plant simply to get a better picture of where the offshoot is in relation to the main stem. I cannot determine from your OP. The number of buds you have is really up to you. Have you checked out the info at this link? https://www.growweedeasy.com/manifold

[Alexn]

I did exactly like in the tutorial. But every photo that's on there just shows the main colas with no side branches. So every time you get a node you get two side branches. So that's what I was cutting off

[Alexn]

Apparently I messed up big time. The blue is a calyx and won't grow to become a bud. So I guess after he gets his 8 main colas he just flips to flower and only defoliates? And does not touch anything from the new nodes?

[bboyfromwayback]

Leave it! I trim at weeks 3 and 6 of flower. Week 3 I remove the lower, skinny undeveloped branches. Week 6 I remove the big fans. Other than that let em grow

[Alexn]

I usually cut leaves as I go, every few days I remove them slowly

[SchuylerGutkowski]

Don't cut everything, but be selective: remove the side branches that block the light or grow unevenly, keep a few strong branches, so that the plant is not too stressed and you still have additional flowers.

[Alexn]

Well I do have 8 main colas, but I have removed all side branches until now. But I think I'll cut these too. Risk it for the biscuit

[bboyfromwayback]

Sounds like you knew what you were going to do before asking….so why even ask?

[Alexn]

This is my second grow. I actually don't know. I just went with it. But I freaked out when I saw the top being so developed and my lower nodes buds not even opening up.