myMUSICveins

Ok, so this is a pet peeve of mine, and dam it, Im going to address it.

This is why we are here. To Destroy Misinformation. Now, this might be a slight rant, but it’s very much related to the LST theme.

I have fallen victim to the topping fever. I did it, I admit it. That’s ok, I know better now, and so will you. I’ve topped, and i've FIMed, and ill tell you what I observed; what i’ve learned.

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First and foremost

Topping: There is this whole belief that doing this increases your yield. Someone says "Well, how can it not, there are twice as many tops now"

Are there really? NO. In fact, if you actually counted the amount of tops, you just LOST one! YEA, imagine that, YOU cut it off.

Here is where the misinformation comes in. When everybody talks bout topping, they make it sound as if two NEW tops magically sprout from the cut you just made. Now, as nice as that would be, that’s not what happens. What does happen is that the branches below the newly cut top become the new main tops. Now, people do this for a couple reasons. First as I said before, they think they have just doubled their tops. And secondly, because they want to promote a bushier plant.

It baffles my mind how what they just did actually achieved the exact opposite of BOTH of their objectives. Those branches below the cut were there before, and if they weren’t, they should have been. You shouldn’t have to induce them by cutting the main top off. Branches happen REALLY early, if they don’t, it’s a lack of light, good health or some other such reason that’s really irrelevant. The point is, that the branches should have (and in most cases) are ALREADY there.

So when you cut that main top off, you are LOSING a top, SUBTRACTING. All that changes is that the prior secondary tops are no longer secondary.

You have LESS plant, LESS bush, LESS everything; please don’t do this.

This creates undue stress. You just lost a finger.

The plant has to heal, takes time to close the wound; slows down your grow.

NOTHING BENEFICIAL

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Wait, so you are saying topping serves no purpose what so ever?

Gonna make me work for this one eh? Fine, I take it back for now. Let me explain.

As far as topping for the reasons most do it, i'm holding firm to my position. The exception comes with cloning. You obviously need a cutting, so you are going to have to top the plant somewhere (rarely the main top).

Let me just say this though. When taking a clone, it’s important that you take the clone during the day. The plant has a growth hormone called "auxins" that are in the growth tips during the day, and in the roots at night.

This is the same reason it’s advised to NOT top a plant during the day with no intentions to take a clone (all the wrong reasons). It will take the plant that much longer to recover if it loses its valuable auxins because you cup off the top during the day.

Needless to say, if you intend to clone, and root the cutting you just made, take the clone during the day, as it will root faster since all the auxins are there (as it was taken during the day).

So what did we learn? IMO don’t top unless you are taking a cutting for a future clone. If you are going to top anyways, and don’t intend to take a clone, do so at night (toxins in the roots, so none are lost, and you get a quicker recovery time).

When I say night and day, it’s obviously dependant on your light schedule for your plants; not if its literally light or day outside (they don’t live outside, remember).

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FIM: This one is tricky. People get all magical again here, and what it is, is simply a delayed top. (Not that I want to teach anyone how to do this, I have to explain why what you are doing is simply a delayed top)

They (its always they, them, BASTARDS) say to cut 90% of the main top (instead of lopping the whole thing off as with topping). Now inside the main top are other smaller tops and inside those, even smaller future tops and when you cut 90% of the main visible tip, you are left with the small small future tops in that 10% of whats left. Now, somewhere down the line, you topped this. As it grows out (and it does it every time, it may be one, it may be three tops later, but eventually, you see where the last and final top was made) you will see this.

You still topped it, it may not have been as severe, but you still did it, less time to heal but still more than was needed (none).

You just lost a fingernail, that lead to an infection, that led to you losing your finger. You still lost the finger. Do you follow? The top was still made.

But dont take my word for it ::enter reading rainbow theme::

It takes some experience to see what i'm talking about, try it if you must

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The reason people think it creates a more bushy plant:

As the plant is healing the wound, it’s shifting its priorities. It now has to use all its WAS secondary growth (branches). The branches grow out to the same height the top was made, and it gives the illusion of a bushy plant. All you are seeing are your branches grown out. You could have seen that without losing your future main cola.

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Ok smart guy, how do you do it, and why is it better?

Well then, i’m glad you asked

Training is common sense, all your doing is tying your highest growth down and away from your other secondary growth. The main stem being at a 90-degree angle eventually is not uncommon, and in fact, is somewhat required. You are keeping all you tops, but allowing all your growth to get equal lighting.

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I don’t understand, you suck

Ha, ok, time for the real thread and those wonderful pics I was talking about