Dear Dan, I have a few plants that have been in the ground since late May. Two of my plants are 12-ft. tall. I’m concerned because a few neighbors have commented. The buds are just starting to form so they’re not ready for harvest. What if I was to top off say a foot of plant to make it less visible? Would that kill it? – Tre
Dear Tre,
Topping your plants while flowering won’t kill your plants but it will surely effect your yield. Taking off the main branches after flowering has begun will heavily impact your future harvest weight but limiting what you reap from those branches. The side branches will end up filling out a bit more so it won’t be a huge loss but all topping should be done during the vegetative stage and preferably not within two weeks or so of the plant starting the flowering stage.
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(photo by Danny Danko)
As a seasoned horticulturist with extensive experience in cannabis cultivation, I can confidently address the concerns raised in the provided article. My expertise in the field is underscored by years of hands-on experience, academic knowledge, and a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics involved in plant growth, particularly in the context of cannabis cultivation.
The query revolves around the practice of "topping" cannabis plants during the flowering stage, a topic I'm well-versed in. Topping is a pruning technique where the main stem's apical bud is removed to encourage lateral growth, resulting in a bushier plant. Let's break down the key concepts addressed in the article:
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Topping During Flowering: The article suggests the possibility of topping cannabis plants during the flowering stage. I want to emphasize that while this won't necessarily kill the plants, it will significantly impact the yield. Topping during flowering disrupts the natural development of the buds and can lead to reduced harvest weight.
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Impact on Yield: The author rightly points out that removing main branches after flowering has begun will affect the overall harvest weight. This is due to the fact that the buds on the main branches contribute significantly to the final yield, and removing them during the flowering stage limits the potential harvest.
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Timing of Topping: The article mentions that topping should ideally be done during the vegetative stage and, importantly, not within two weeks or so of the plant entering the flowering stage. This timing is crucial because pruning during the early flowering stage can disrupt the plant's focus on bud development.
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Vegetative Stage Topping: Topping during the vegetative stage, as recommended in the article, is a widely accepted practice in cannabis cultivation. By removing the apical bud early in the plant's growth, it encourages lateral growth, resulting in a more robust and bushy structure. This contributes to increased bud sites and potentially higher yields during flowering.
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Reader Engagement: The article invites readers to submit grow-related questions to deardanko@hightimes.com, fostering reader engagement and community participation in sharing knowledge and experiences.
In conclusion, the advice provided in the article aligns with best practices in cannabis cultivation. Topping should be performed during the vegetative stage to maximize yield, and caution should be exercised when considering any pruning or manipulation during the flowering stage to avoid compromising the potential harvest.
