What to do when very big plants go into flower?

Hi guys, I hope some of you outdoor growers can help with this question.
I have been growing indoor and out for the last few years, but all of my outdoor plant have been in pots and never gotten bigger than 3-4 ft.
This year when they got big, I transplanted them to the ground. They are now 5-7 ft tall and still growing.
I hope they will go into flower soon before they get any bigger.
here's the thing, what if anything do I need to do to them when they get full of flowers?
Aside from feeding them the right stuff, do I need to cage them, tie them up, or wrap string around them to keep them from falling over?
Here are some pics of them right now. I have never had any this big before.

I would stake them. When the flowers come on the branches will get heavy and a good wind will knock them right over..... or a deer will wander by and knock them over. Dont show up to find them laying over cause its a sad and tearful situation. STakes man, stakes.!

I would stake them. When the flowers come on the branches will get heavy and a good wind will knock them right over..... or a deer will wander by and knock them over. Dont show up to find them laying over cause its a sad and tearful situation. STakes man, stakes.!

I already have two stakes next to each plants main stem. Do you mean, stake each branch?

I have in the past used lots of black tape,and if needed welding rods bent to the angle of the branch to main stalk and tape it ..like a splint in First Aid...u can use kite string and support every thing fron the main stalk, but if a deer runs threw it its trashed..but if you just use tape start where the branch meets the stalk and start wraping up, at least 6 to 8 inches..on every branch

I would place bamboo pools in them and tie the buds up as needed. It kinda late to cage plants that big.

Rebar at a good price these days go get 4 10 footers per plant then get some hemp twine and your set

I have in the past used lots of black tape,and if needed welding rods bent to the angle of the branch to main stalk and tape it ..like a splint in First Aid...u can use kite string and support every thing fron the main stalk, but if a deer runs threw it its trashed..but if you just use tape start where the branch meets the stalk and start wraping up, at least 6 to 8 inches..on every branch

Well, those are all good suggestions, but I like the one about using string to tie the branches to the main stem the best. No dear around here. Bear.
, raccoons, but not dear.

I would place bamboo pools in them and tie the buds up as needed. It kinda late to cage plants that big.

I was thinking of using the 4x4 concrete reenforcing wire, or something like that.

Any thing else?

Rebar at a good price these days go get 4 10 footers per plant then get some hemp twine and your set

Rebar? I was thinking maybe the long green stakes from HD with string going around the whole plant might do the trick.

3/8s rebar $24 cut in 1/2 is what i tend to use, you will never need to but them again

I already have two stakes next to each plants main stem. Do you mean, stake each branch?

Put 4 stakes around each plant and wrap string around the stakes to make a cage all the way around the plant. It will offer great support.

3/8s rebar $24 cut in 1/2 is what i tend to use, you will never need to but them again

No doubt!

Put 4 stakes around each plant and wrap string around the stakes to make a cage all the way around the plant. It will offer great support.

but I think I'm going with this one.
Thanks to all.
Next time I'm going to keep them down to 5' and let them bush out.
Or maybe I'll cut this one down to 5' and just keep it there.

Edited by VTX1800, 01 August 2012 - 06:43 PM.

i tie all branches to main stem and tie main stem to stakes with nylon string

I didnt see the stakes vtx. If theyre staked well youve done what you can.

I use rebar as well. Its hard for even a deer to knock it over if driven in the ground. I pay 8$ for a 20' piece at Lowes and make 3 stakes.

Just a little side note. If you live in an area where they are, a wooden stake driven in the ground can attract termites and after they eat the stake, the start on your big juicy stem and can kill a big beautiful plant in a few days. I have a bud that lives in Cali and he tells me they have to use grow bags there so bad out there. I lost several good plants before i figured it out. No wooden stakes for me.

you could wrap them in hog wire.

do like mjmama and clodhopper said, but instead of rebar or wood you could use pvc pipes which might be a little more efficient. either way stake them down with s o m e t h i n g! good luck buddy

I didnt see the stakes vtx. If theyre staked well youve done what you can.

I use rebar as well. Its hard for even a deer to knock it over if driven in the ground. I pay 8$ for a 20' piece at Lowes and make 3 stakes.

Just a little side note. If you live in an area where they are, a wooden stake driven in the ground can attract termites and after they eat the stake, the start on your big juicy stem and can kill a big beautiful plant in a few days. I have a bud that lives in Cali and he tells me they have to use grow bags there so bad out there. I lost several good plants before i figured it out. No wooden stakes for me.

Now that's my kind of deal.
I'm a little concerned about the termites. We have them everywhere. But so far I see no activity around my plant.
The grow bag sounds like a good idea for next year. Maybe one of those 50 gal jobs.

you could wrap them in hog wire.

I'm looking at that also.

do like mjmama and clodhopper said, but instead of rebar or wood you could use pvc pipes which might be a little more efficient. either way stake them down with s o m e t h i n g! good luck buddy

I would have to paint them green, as,I'm trying to keep them inconspicuous.

I use smart pots but you can do this with any container style really or raised bed. I use deer fencing the six foot kind and just wrap the pot and support with bamboo. The plant grows through and you can train and tuck branches through the fencing. When branches start to bend under weight you just plant tie them up to the fencing simple and easy. :-)

I use smart pots but you can do this with any container style really or raised bed. I use deer fencing the six foot kind and just wrap the pot and support with bamboo. The plant grows through and you can train and tuck branches through the fencing. When branches start to bend under weight you just plant tie them up to the fencing simple and easy. :-)

I'm liking the fencing idea more and more.

I've grown some big ass plants in the past, Sativa's more than 3 mtrs in height and I hardly ever had to intervene- i just let them grow. There were few cases of branches breaking; the plants seem to have a well developed system of growth (if the strain you're growing is good). Sometimes you need to top 'em because of the staggering heights they can reach. I had some difficulty harvesting these huge mothers- their main stems were as thick as a man's arm
I would just leave it as long as it can help itself, but I'm a firm believer in the resilience of these plants. It's amazing how they adjust.

I've grown some big ass plants in the past, Sativa's more than 3 mtrs in height and I hardly ever had to intervene- i just let them grow. There were few cases of branches breaking; the plants seem to have a well developed system of growth (if the strain you're growing is good). Sometimes you need to top 'em because of the staggering heights they can reach. I had some difficulty harvesting these huge mothers- their main stems were as thick as a man's arm
I would just leave it as long as it can help itself, but I'm a firm believer in the resilience of these plants. It's amazing how they adjust.

I have to say after all the questions and answers I received, this I think is the best solution.
The wife and I where just talking about the same thing. Just letting them do there thing.
If a branch falls over, what's the problem. Just like super cropping.
So I think this is how I will treat them. Just let em be.