To top or not?

Argee · 06-12-2011, 03:41 PM

I've got some master kush and ak-48 growing outdoors, and they are about waist high now. If I'm gonna top them, the time is here. Since I grow outdoors, and my space is limited, I top plants to increase the yield. Its worked so far, but since my first purchase from Nirvana, I've read that some strains do not like to be topped. I've been doing this for years, but we're never too old to learn. I have come to this forum before with questions, and have always gotten learned responses from you good folk. I've learned in past years that I need to eventually steak the plants and bind the places I do take the tops, or they will split. Last year, I went to my local tire store, and got for free a truck inner tube. I cut it into strips and bound the places I had topped--it worked really well. Its elastic enough to stretch with growth, yet strong enough to hold the plant together. I also cut some 1/2"
plywood into 3" strips of different lengths, notched one end and pointed the other and stained them a dark green. I use these to add extra support to the limbs as they come off the main stem. It also works well, but is pretty noticeable--at least to me. I get all nervous by the end of Sept, but don't we all? So, should I or shouldn't I? Thanks in advance for your responses, and I hope we all have a very good year.
Oh, I do have another question--I had to put my Anatolian/Timberwolf mix down in Feb--he was my pal, but 14 is a long life for a big dog. So far, that is always the hardest task I face in life. Anyway, I picked up an Anatolian pup yesterday, and my wife and I are trying to name him. My wife suggested Karl(the Bill Murray character in Caddyshack), and I've come up with Biscuit for his color. Evidently, Axl is in the running, too. So this has turned into an altogether different thread--sorry. Any suggestions on names will also be appreciated.
Regards,
Argee

**Mafoo** · 06-12-2011, 04:10 PM

i just did a quick search for anatolian names and i like "Ura". its the name of a 10th century bc king

good luck with the plants, im sure someone will come by soon enough to help you out

**Pharm Girl** · 06-13-2011, 03:31 AM

Hi there....~ welcome to Yahooka.

Quote:

I cut it into strips and bound the places I had topped--it worked really well. Its elastic enough to stretch with growth, yet strong enough to hold the plant together.

I'm trying to visualize...but...i' m having a hard time. Why was this being done? To hold the branches up and avoid snapping? If so...I get it! I use 3 green poles and green string(usually)..tie d in a tee-pee type thingy above/around the plant. I'm a topping fan...btw!

Quote:

I also cut some 1/2"
plywood into 3" strips of different lengths, notched one end and pointed the other and stained them a dark green. I use these to add extra support to the limbs as they come off the main stem. It also works well, but is pretty noticeable--at least to me

maybe you could just change the color of the wood...for if it works...why change?

Quote:

I get all nervous by the end of Sept,

we all do...only one suggestion- 'make sure you have more than one basket for the eggs to grow'

I'm so sorry to hear about your best friend..."his spirit is now soaring"...the new little guy will certainly have big paws to fill....so good luck argee with all...your hands are gonna get pretty full~

Argee · 06-13-2011, 05:24 AM

Thanks for your sympathies. And actually, the inner tube thing is to keep the main stem
from splitting. I've had problems before because the limbs get so heavy, they split the main stem at the point where the two new branches grow. I use string as well. The one plus of the economy being down is that the local authorities are in the same financial bind as the rest of us. I also use the inner tube strips to attach the wooden supports to the plant. I'm with you on the topping. And you always give expert advice.
Thanks

**Pharm Girl** · 06-13-2011, 09:21 AM

did you see....the thread 'boy oh...boy'?...i use the tires as grow pots!

06-12-2011, 03:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Argee YaHookan Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	To top or not? I've got some master kush and ak-48 growing outdoors, and they are about waist high now. If I'm gonna top them, the time is here. Since I grow outdoors, and my space is limited, I top plants to increase the yield. Its worked so far, but since my first purchase from Nirvana, I've read that some strains do not like to be topped. I've been doing this for years, but we're never too old to learn. I have come to this forum before with questions, and have always gotten learned responses from you good folk. I've learned in past years that I need to eventually steak the plants and bind the places I do take the tops, or they will split. Last year, I went to my local tire store, and got for free a truck inner tube. I cut it into strips and bound the places I had topped--it worked really well. Its elastic enough to stretch with growth, yet strong enough to hold the plant together. I also cut some 1/2" plywood into 3" strips of different lengths, notched one end and pointed the other and stained them a dark green. I use these to add extra support to the limbs as they come off the main stem. It also works well, but is pretty noticeable--at least to me. I get all nervous by the end of Sept, but don't we all? So, should I or shouldn't I? Thanks in advance for your responses, and I hope we all have a very good year. Oh, I do have another question--I had to put my Anatolian/Timberwolf mix down in Feb--he was my pal, but 14 is a long life for a big dog. So far, that is always the hardest task I face in life. Anyway, I picked up an Anatolian pup yesterday, and my wife and I are trying to name him. My wife suggested Karl(the Bill Murray character in Caddyshack), and I've come up with Biscuit for his color. Evidently, Axl is in the running, too. So this has turned into an altogether different thread--sorry. Any suggestions on names will also be appreciated. Regards, Argee

06-12-2011, 04:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mafoo nice daze Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: the anguish of anticipated transformation Posts: 5,964 Thanks: 3,773 Thanked 2,640 Times in 1,694 Posts	i just did a quick search for anatolian names and i like "Ura". its the name of a 10th century bc king good luck with the plants, im sure someone will come by soon enough to help you out __________________ PLUR For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return

06-13-2011, 09:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Pharm Girl Weeding the Garden.~ Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,534 Blog Entries: 13 Thanks: 2,996 Thanked 1,176 Times in 894 Posts	did you see....the thread 'boy oh...boy'?...i use the tires as grow pots! __________________ .....The Time has Come to 'Walk the Talk'.....~ ......A message for ALL from the Deer Tribe...~ It is a great journey — but you must do the walking and have the willingness to change and make the leap into the next level of human evolution. Become an inquisitive free thinking individual that takes responsibility for your life and the spiritual accountability to live life to the fullest. *Fuck the Monkeys*

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06-13-2011, 05:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Argee YaHookan Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for your sympathies. And actually, the inner tube thing is to keep the main stem from splitting. I've had problems before because the limbs get so heavy, they split the main stem at the point where the two new branches grow. I use string as well. The one plus of the economy being down is that the local authorities are in the same financial bind as the rest of us. I also use the inner tube strips to attach the wooden supports to the plant. I'm with you on the topping. And you always give expert advice. Thanks

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