Pruning Flowering Plants

[Highlander]

I'm looking for some feedback on pruning during the flower cycle.

 

For years I have done the same thing. After buds show, I trim a little off the top to even out the canopy. Then I trim every stem that has a a bud site lower than about 18" from the top of the plant.

 

Recently I decided to let one flower with no pruning at all. I think the yield was increased significantly, but most of that yield is in the form of popcorn. It's a terrible PITA to trim. I hung it upside down and occasionally pluck off a few buds. At this rate, I'll be at it a year. I'm tempted just to compost the rest.

[Kingdiamond]

Once I began to prune top to bottom I gained on average   about 1/4 - 1/2 ounce more per plant plus it seems to harden the buds up more towards the end of the grow cycle.

[Highlander]

Once I began to prune top to bottom I gained on average   about 1/4 - 1/2 ounce more per plant plus it seems to harden the buds up more towards the end of the grow cycle.

Do you keep a main cola? I favor multiple smaller colas over one large one, mostly for fear of mold.

[trichcycler]

I top in veg, for a four cola experience. I dont top in flower. The day she moves to the flower room

I trim up, or lollipop, everything but the top four/eight nodes and their fans. While in flower all pita gets skirted

below 18 inch(my acceptable par light range)  I have no need for the popcorn, it crowds my soil top area, restricts air movement

gathers dirt splash, attracts pests, and is a real bummer to toss in the compost at harvest. Easier for me to never see it.

[Kingdiamond]

Do you keep a main cola? I favor multiple smaller colas over one large one, mostly for fear of mold.

Yes I do but once I begin trimming I cut it in sections  to get it  fully dried   .

[+Malamute]

I don't prune in flower at all. To me it slows momentum causing the plant to concentrate on healing itself instead of just full power growing. To me, you should finish your pruning up to a week before flower, let the plant gain momentum, then stick it into flowering. 

[medmanmike]

I generally top after 5 or 6 sets of true leaves. I'll LST and do light pruning along the way and do my main pruning a couple of days before going into flower. It's all about shaping the plant so that I get 4-6main colas.

 

I do a final light pruning - suckers, lower popcorn nugs, crispy leaves (if any) and any underdeveloped side branches- no later than day 21 of 12/12.

 

I generally only veg for 4 weeks (from seed) and with my method of topping/pruning, my plants stay relatively small. Plants this grow ranged from 10.75" for a MoneyMaker to 19.75" for a Blue Dream.

 

I've decided to try it differently for the next grow. Meaning, I'll wait until there's 10-12 true nodes before topping and will go easier on the LST'ing. I may even veg a little longer to get more height/bulk.

 

I'm curious: for those who grow monster bushes with a dozen or more colas, how long do you typically veg?

[+Malamute]

2 months

 

Makes for nice rotation.

[Restorium2]

I find that it's strain specific. No rule of thumb that covers all strains. 

[+Malamute]

I find that it's strain specific. No rule of thumb that covers all strains. 

 

[pergamum362]

I cut everything except for the main cola's the day of flower, thin the leaves and thats that. Occasionaly ill bend a few stems over if i feel like there to tall compared to others. I feel like waiting until week 2-3 wastes to much energy.

[phaquetoo]

I do all of my trimming in veg, I dont do any trimming in budd,  I take my clones and do all trimming about 2 wks before i put it into budd!

 

I dont trim any popcorn budds, not even lately as im taking a break from growing, I get full plants from my c.g about every 6 to 8 wks, all of my popcorn budds become cannabutter with the sugar leaf!

 

Peace

[bobandtorey]

I would do my trimming 2 weeks into flowering and use them to make clones then Veg for 4-5 weeks after roots show at about 30% that would take about 2-3 weeks 

 

I live by No leaf No bud