By following these easy tips, you can top your cannabis plants for a maximum yield.
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Introduction
As your cannabis plants grow, you may want to “top” them to control their height, shape them for maximum yield, or produce more buds. Topping is a pruning method where you cut off the main growing tip (the apical meristem) of the plant. This stresses the plant, causing it to produce two new shoots (“nodes”) from where you made the cut. These nodes will each produce their own main colas (the largest, most central buds on the plant), yielding more total buds than if you had not topped the plant.
The Benefits of Topping
Topping is a common cultivation method employed by cannabis growers in order to promote lateral growth and ultimately increase yield. While topping may seem like a simple enough concept, there is actually a fair amount of technique involved in doing it correctly. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what topping is, how it’s done, and some of the benefits that comes with employing this particular cultivation method.
Topping is the process of removing the main apical meristem (i.e. the main growing tip) from the plant. This can be done with either a sharp knife or pair of scissors. Once the main tip has been removed, two new shoots will begin to grow out from the sides of the plant just below where the main tip was removed. These new shoots will then continue to grow horizontally, rather than vertically. By promoting lateral growth in this way, growers are able to increase the overall number of buds that their plants produce – thus increasing yield come harvest time.
In addition to increasing yield, topping also has a number of other benefits. For starters, it can help to even out canopy irregularities which can lead to an overall more even and aesthetically pleasing final product. Topping can also help encourage plants to grow in a more bushy rather than spindly fashion, which can again help improve yield come harvest time. Finally, topping can also help increase airflow and light penetration throughout the canopy – both of which are important for healthy plant growth
The Right Time to Top
You will get the biggest yields from cannabis if you top your plants early and often. Plants that are topped early will grow more vigorously and produce more buds. If you wait too long to top your plants, they will become less productive.
The best time to top your plants is when they are young and just starting to branch out. You can top them again when they are a bit older and have more branches. However, you should not top your plants too late in the growing season or they will not have enough time to recover and produce buds before winter sets in.
Topping cannabis plants is a simple procedure. All you need to do is cut off the main stem of the plant just above a node (where the leaves attach to the stem). This will cause the plant to branch out at that point and produce two new stems. You can then repeat this process on each of the new stems, causing the plant to branch out even further.
By topping your plants early and often, you will end up with a larger, bushier plant that produces more buds than if you had left it un-topped. This is because topping forces the plant to put out more growth hormones, which results in more branches and more buds.
If you are looking for maximum yield from your cannabis plants, be sure to top them early and often!
How to Top Your Plants
Topping your cannabis plants is a common way to control their height, shape them into a bushier form, and ultimately increase your yield. When done correctly, topping can be a great way to get the most out of your plants. Here’s a quick guide on how to top cannabis plants for maximum yield.
When to Top Your Plants
Most growers prefer to top their plants when they are still young, usually around 4-6 weeks into the vegetative stage. This gives the plant plenty of time to recover and produce new growth before the flowering stage begins.
Topping Technique
There are a few different ways to top your plants, but the most common method is to simply cut off the main stem about 2-4 inches below the highest point of growth. This will cause the plant to produce two new shoots from the cut points. You can then remove any weak or deformed leaves, as well as any branches that are growing too close to the main stem.
Once you have topped your plants, it’s important to give them plenty of time to recover before starting the flowering stage. This typically takes around 2-3 weeks, during which time you should provide them with extra attention in terms of water and nutrients. Once they have fully recovered, you can begin flowering them as usual.
If done correctly, topping can be an effective way to increase your yield and create a bushier plant structure. Just be sure to give your plants plenty of time to recover before starting the flowering stage.
Conclusion
Topping your cannabis plants is a great way to increase yield, but it’s important to do it correctly. Be sure to cut off the main stem at a 45-degree angle, about 2-4 weeks before you plan to harvest. This will give the plant time to recover and produce more branches. For maximum yield, top your plants 2-3 times during their lifetime.
