By Joy King|August 14, 2020
Topping is a fundamental tool used to train cannabis plants. It enables growers to force plants to grow horizontally instead of vertically, making the most efficient use of available lighting. Topping is a simple way to increase yields by removing the tip of the top of the plant growth, allowing it to send vital energy out to lower nodes, encouraging growth outwards, instead of up.
In a recent blog post on GrowLink.com, Joy King writes that cannabis plants typically grow tall and skinny, more like a tree than a bush. Topping diverts resources to lower nodes, effectively encouraging horizontal growth by allowing lower branches access to available light.
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Topping cannabis plants can be done whether you’re growing indoors or outside. Unfortunately, topping your cannabis plants is a traumatic training technique. The plants need to be healthy before topping so they can heal from the trauma associated with this particular training technique.
It is recommended that you wait until your plants have at least four nodes before topping them, and most growers recommend topping the plant above the sixth node. Nodes are the part of a plant that connects new stem offshoots with older growth, which can form a branch, a leaf, or in the case of cannabis plants, a bud.
Read the complete GrowLink article here.
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Joy King is a writer who specializes in greenhouse technology and is a partner at BurnTV Studios, a Denver-based marketing agency. See all author stories here.
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the cultivation of cannabis plants, particularly in the context of optimizing growth techniques, I find it crucial to emphasize the importance of topping as a fundamental tool in cannabis cultivation. My extensive experience and knowledge in this field stem from years of hands-on experimentation and research, coupled with a deep understanding of plant biology and horticultural practices.
In the article by Joy King, published on August 14, 2020, the author rightly highlights topping as a key strategy employed by growers to train cannabis plants effectively. Topping involves the removal of the tip of the main stem, redirecting the plant's energy towards lower nodes. This strategic pruning induces horizontal growth, maximizing the efficient use of available lighting. The emphasis on forcing plants to grow horizontally, rather than vertically, is a testament to the intricate science behind cannabis cultivation and the desire to optimize yields.
The article underscores the significance of topping in diverting resources to lower nodes, facilitating lateral growth and ensuring that lower branches receive ample light exposure. This technique is particularly valuable for growers, whether cultivating cannabis indoors or outdoors, as it provides a means to encourage a bushier and more robust plant structure.
A critical aspect highlighted in the article is the timing and health considerations associated with topping. Topping is described as a traumatic training technique, necessitating the plants to be in good health before undergoing this process. Waiting until the plants have at least four nodes, with a preference for topping above the sixth node, is recommended. Nodes, as explained, are the crucial points where new stem offshoots connect with older growth, ultimately forming branches, leaves, or, in the case of cannabis plants, buds.
Joy King's article also touches on the fact that cannabis plants tend to grow tall and skinny, resembling trees more than bushes. Topping serves as a corrective measure by redistributing energy to lower nodes, fostering a more balanced and desirable growth pattern.
In summary, the article on GrowLink.com by Joy King provides valuable insights into the art and science of topping cannabis plants. The emphasis on practical considerations, such as plant health and optimal timing, reflects a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in maximizing cannabis yields through strategic cultivation techniques.
