Just cutting tops?

[Bdoo]

I know that I have read on here that it is OK to snip a few buds early to, as someone put it, take a "taste drive" and the rest of the plant will be OK. Well, the tops of my plants are almost done, another week at most. However, true to form, the lower buds on the main stalks are a wee bit behind and it is unlikely they will be ready when the maine tops are. Can I harvest the tops of each stalk and let the lower buds on the stalk develop for a bit more time without casuing serious damage? I would like all my buds ripe, however, worst case scenario is I have a pile of buds that are a bit early. Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks

Doo

[stickerbushman]

ALOT of us are in the same, exact situation. personally I see no harm in doing some snipping or cutting, i had to cutt 1/2 a cola off because of mold, no problem, and also to get some taste going, i snipped off a few smaller things that i thought were blocking the sun, that is how i started. Last Sunday I snipped enough to keep me company for the next month. They are drying and full of crystals and the quick dry stuff( on heater) smokes just fine.

i think the key is to hold out hold out hold out, the next two weeks if possible. why not take down a certain % of bud now, like 10-20% and try to wait 1-2 weeks before the main takedown, and then leave 10-20% to let it grow as long as possible before the cold/frost stops it, that's what i'm doing.

[Bdoo]

Thanks guy. The top 12" - 14" of each stalk are almost ready so I'll wait for those to get perfect and then re evaluate the lower buds. Frost is coming soon up here so everything may just fall into place as far as timing goes.

[eyec0n]

A lot of poeple I know usually cut the main colas first and let the lower buds grow out for a little bit more, you should be ok. Frost is a son-of-a-bitch, I have to keep my outdoor plants a bucket and bring them in the garage to avoid dying :/ Another month and a half for me

[Bdoo]

Originally Posted by eyec0n

A lot of poeple I know usually cut the main colas first and let the lower buds grow out for a little bit more, you should be ok. Frost is a son-of-a-bitch, I have to keep my outdoor plants a bucket and bring them in the garage to avoid dying :/ Another month and a half for me

Yeah, that is what I am going to do when I know for sure the tops are ready. I am hoping that if our first frost happens in the next week or so it will push my plant over the edge and give it a quick charge so some of the "lesser" buds will finish up. I was always told to wait for a frost before you harvest but if you still have 6 weeks to go the garage thing is a good idea. I bet your glad at least they are in pots so you can move them.