Question First training

[Blackbeard]

So this being my first grow ever, I need to make a decision on training, what to try what not to try. What type of training would you suggest for a first timer? Or what training do you wish you had started implementing immediately from your first grow?

I'm thinking about topping the larger plant between nodes 3 and 4 and trimming off node 1 so it will only be nodes 2 and 3. And since she is starting out her 6th node, the top will have 3 nodes and I was thinking about trying to clone the top (strictly for experimenting/education). But with so many different training techniques it's like information overload. I was also thinking to just try the super cropping and bending her right over between nodes 3 and 4.

I feel like it's too early because shes so short and tight but lower branches are growing and like I said she's growing her 6th node out so I'm also feeling like I'm running out of time on making a decision.

I have a horrible time making decisions and have changed my mind a few times already about training these things.

 

[jaguarlax]

So this being my first grow ever, I need to make a decision on training, what to try what not to try. What type of training would you suggest for a first timer? Or what training do you wish you had started implementing immediately from your first grow?

I'm thinking about topping the larger plant between nodes 3 and 4 and trimming off node 1 so it will only be nodes 2 and 3. And since she is starting out her 6th node, the top will have 3 nodes and I was thinking about trying to clone the top (strictly for experimenting/education). But with so many different training techniques it's like information overload. I was also thinking to just try the super cropping and bending her right over between nodes 3 and 4.

I feel like it's too early because shes so short and tight but lower branches are growing and like I said she's growing her 6th node out so I'm also feeling like I'm running out of time on making a decision.

I have a horrible time making decisions and have changed my mind a few times already about training these things.

In my opinion, this is one of those things only you can decide for yourself over time. I don’t mean to give you a cop out answer so I’ll explain. Training is exactly how it sounds... Training your plant to get it into the shape you want. We give her guidance to help her conform to our confined space that we are growing in. I started training plants to keep them as short as possible, because I was afraid of them growing into my lights one day...but I have found over time that if I am paying attention to my plants, that is impossible. I can bend and manipulate stalks as much as I need to keep them away from potential hazards..

With all that said, I think topping twice or three times is the most effective for me.. Remember that every time you top your plant, it will want to grow two colas where one would of been, so plan accordingly... I will include a few differently trained plants in my garden now so you can see what I mean...


A topped plant with two main colas stripped to grow only two main buds

Here is a plant I topped once, and then let grow from there only trimming lower growth...




here is a younger plant just going into flowering topped twice.... you can see where I broke the apical dominance with the topping, and where they grow into two different New tops... this is a new cultivar for me, so as new bud sites come up I will decide what to keep and what to get rid of as the plant develops... my general rule of thumb is to keep the strongest branches off the main stems.:: and to get rid of any lower growth thatwill most likely end up being larf... getting to know your cultivars tendencies are just as importantas your training methods...




As I start to go deeper into the flower cycle, I will also start to “supercrop” any taller branches. Meaning I Bend and break them in such a way so that they are repairing while the lower growth is catching up. Hope this helps...

 

[Gentlemancorpse]

When I first started growing again about 5 years ago I was enamored with all these training methods .... and I did way too much.

These days, especially if I'm growing a dtrain for the first time, I do very little. I like to see what the plants wants to do naturally. If I top its usually because im trying to keep my plants from taking over my tent before I get them into flower lol.

Essentially I agree with everything Jag said ... you'll learn what training methods work for you over time. I just suggest keeping it simple to start off. Topping is the easiest training method so its probably where I would start but other forms of LST aren't much more intrusive. Things like mainlining or supercropping require a bit more patience and understanding of the plant so I'd hold off on those until you have a few grows under your belt (if ever, I found mainlining requires a level a patience I simply don't have)

 

[Blackbeard]

Thank you @jaguarlax and @Gentlemancorpse for your input, I think I'll top tomorrow and see how it goes from there. I wish I had have started 4 seeds instead of 2 so I could "play" with a couple to learn, and if I kill one or two I'm not completely out of the race. Alas, hindsight is 20/20. Next time I'm definitely starting more seeds.

 

[Capt. C]

All good advice here @Blackbeard . Personally i would top for the first time around the fifth node wait 2 weeks and top again another 2 weeks and you are ready to flower. I try to give it at least 10 days after topping before introducing flower. If you can keep it around a half dozen cola's per plant you can just use bamboo supports. If you run into trouble with canopy height during flower you can learn how to super crop (very easy). Best to keep things as simple as possible for a good chance for success. I have experimented with a lot of different training methods and still come back to the simple bamboo supports.

 

[Couch_Lock]

I've topped and I've fimmed. If I top I do it twice for each plant, this run I fimmed all 4 one time. A 4 x 4 tent only has so much room, I've got humidifier, oscillating tower fan and a few other fans in there too.

 

[Blackbeard]

All good advice here @Blackbeard . Personally i would top for the first time around the fifth node wait 2 weeks and top again another 2 weeks and you are ready to flower. I try to give it at least 10 days after topping before introducing flower. If you can keep it around a half dozen cola's per plant you can just use bamboo supports. If you run into trouble with canopy height during flower you can learn how to super crop (very easy). Best to keep things as simple as possible for a good chance for success. I have experimented with a lot of different training methods and still come back to the simple bamboo supports.

Thanks @Capt. C This is perfect for my mind right now, a simple baseline of events to work with. Top>Wait 2Weeks>Top>Wait 2Wee...

Now I have something to follow and can experiment and learn along the way. So I'll top tomorrow and then watch her with this two weeks in mind.

When you say you top around the 5th node, do you trim anything below the 5th? Also do you top the second time at the very next node or do you let them get a couple nodes before topping again?

Thanks

 

[Capt. C]

Thanks @Capt. C This is perfect for my mind right now, a simple baseline of events to work with. Top>Wait 2Weeks>Top>Wait 2Wee...

Now I have something to follow and can experiment and learn along the way. So I'll top tomorrow and then watch her with this two weeks in mind.

When you say you top around the 5th node, do you trim anything below the 5th? Also do you top the second time at the very next node or do you let them get a couple nodes before topping again?

Thanks

You should have multiple tops to wack off the second time you top. After the plants are in flower for 2 weeks they get another heavy round of defoliation which pretty much determines how many colas you are going to have and clears out a lot of under canopy growth. Really the hardest part is plant height limitations for flowering. Just barely enough time to successfully top twice and still stay within height restrictions on most grow spaces.