when should i top my plants?

[Hawaiian89]

like the title says...when?

they are about a week old and just starting on their 2nd set of true leaves

[Chronitron]

Originally Posted by Hawaiian89

like the title says...when?

they are about a week old and just starting on their 2nd set of true leaves

Wait until you either have 7 sets of nodes already out with your 8th on the way. Or when it's 18 inches tall.

I usually wait until it's 18 inches tall no matter how many nodes it has on it because I end up clipping the bottom branches to avoid wasted plant energy.

[Anony]

Originally Posted by Chronitron

Wait until you either have 7 sets of nodes already out with your 8th on the way. Or when it's 18 inches tall.

I usually wait until it's 18 inches tall no matter how many nodes it has on it because I end up clipping the bottom branches to avoid wasted plant energy.

I second that, however I shoot for 1 node per inch so i usually have 12-18 nodes by then 1 and 1/2 foot tall.

[Hawaiian89]

what about trimming the lower branches, whens a good time for that?

i would think that a good time would be as soon as or before it starts vigorous veg growth so they energy can be redirected to the upper branches

[Chronitron]

Originally Posted by Hawaiian89

what about trimming the lower branches, whens a good time for that?

i would think that a good time would be as soon as or before it starts vigorous veg growth so they energy can be redirected to the upper branches

I wait until about 3-4 weeks after I top my plants to trim the bottom branches. This allows the plants to recover from the massive amount of shock you just put them through what with chopping the top of its body off and all. It's all about when you feel it's time really, but I agree usually just before they start their big growth spurt between veg and flower.