How to Top a Weed Plant: Topping Cannabis

Welcome to the world of cannabis cultivation! If you’re new to growing cannabis, you may have heard the term “topping” being thrown around. Topping is a technique that involves cutting off the top of a cannabis plant’s main stem in order to encourage it to grow more lateral branches. 

This can ultimately lead to a bushier plant with more cannabis buds, which is ideal for maximizing yield. However, topping can also be a bit intimidating if you’re not sure how to do it properly.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of topping a weed plant so that you can confidently give it a try and take your cannabis growing game to the next level.

 

What is Topping Cannabis Plants?

Topping is a cannabis plant training technique that involves cutting off the top of the main stem of a young plant, typically during the vegetative growth stage. By removing the top growth tip, the plant’s growth hormone is redirected to the lower lateral branches, causing them to grow and develop more vigorously. This results in a bushier plant with more nodes and branches, which can ultimately lead to higher yields of cannabis flowers.

Topping is often used by cannabis growers to increase the number of colas or bud sites on a plant, as well as to control the height and shape of the plant. When done correctly, topping can promote a more even canopy of buds and create a more efficient use of light, which can lead to bigger and better yields. However, improper topping can damage the plant and negatively impact its overall growth and yield potential, so it’s important to approach the technique with care and precision.

How to Top a Weed Plant?

Topping a weed plant can be done in a few simple steps:

1. Wait until your cannabis plant has developed at least 4-6 nodes, which usually takes around 4-6 weeks from seed or 2-3 weeks from clone.
2. Identify the main stem of the plant and locate the newest growth tip at the very top.
3. Using a pair of clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears, cut off the newest growth tip, taking care to leave a small amount of the stem below the cut.
4. Within a few days, the plant will begin to redirect its growth hormones to the lower lateral branches, which will start to grow more vigorously.
5. Monitor the plant closely over the next few days and weeks to ensure that it is responding well to the topping. You may need to provide additional support to the lateral branches as they grow.

It’s important to note that topping can be a stressful process for the plant, so it’s recommended to only top a plant once per vegetative cycle to allow it to fully recover before proceeding with any further training. Additionally, it’s important to sanitize your pruning tools before and after use to prevent the spread of any potential diseases or pests.

 

Best Times to Top a Marijuana Plant

The best time to top a marijuana plant is during the vegetative growth stage when the plant is actively growing and developing new branches. Specifically, it’s recommended to wait until the plant has developed at least 4-6 nodes before topping. This usually occurs around 4-6 weeks from seed or 2-3 weeks from clone.

It’s important to avoid topping a plant too early in its growth cycle as it may not have enough energy or resources to properly recover from the stress of topping. Similarly, it’s also important to avoid topping a plant too late in the growth cycle as this can negatively impact the plant’s overall yield potential.

It’s also worth noting that topping can be a stressful process for the plant, so it’s important to only top a plant once per vegetative cycle to allow it to fully recover before proceeding with any further training. Additionally, it’s important to monitor the plant closely after topping to ensure that it is responding well and that the lateral branches are growing properly.

When to Stop Topping Cannabis Plants?

It’s recommended to stop topping cannabis plants during the early flowering stage when the plant begins to form buds. Once the plant has started flowering, it’s best to avoid any further stress or training techniques that may interfere with bud development.

Continuing to top the plant during the flowering stage can cause unnecessary stress and can lead to lower yields and reduced bud quality. At this stage, the plant’s energy should be focused on developing and ripening the buds, rather than on growing new branches.

It’s also worth noting that topping a plant too late in the vegetative growth stage can also negatively impact the plant’s flowering and yield potential. Topping should be done early in the vegetative stage to allow the plant enough time to recover and develop new branches before transitioning into the flowering stage.

In general, it’s important to closely monitor the plant’s growth and adjust any training techniques accordingly to ensure the best possible yield and bud quality.

 

Where to Buy Premium Weed Seeds Online in Canada

There are many online retailers that offer premium weed seeds in Canada. 

Here are a few options to consider:

1. The Seed Pharm – The Seed Pharm is a seed bank that offers a wide variety of premium cannabis seeds, including feminized, autoflowering, and CBD strains. They offer discreet shipping and a germination guarantee on their seeds.
2. Seedsman – Seedsman is a UK-based company that ships worldwide and offers a vast selection of premium cannabis seeds from top breeders around the world. They offer regular, feminized, and autoflowering seeds, as well as CBD strains.
3. True North Seed Bank – True North Seed Bank is a Canadian-based seed bank that offers a wide variety of premium cannabis seeds from top breeders around the world. They offer regular, feminized, and autoflowering seeds, as well as CBD strains, and offer discreet shipping and a germination guarantee on their seeds.
4. Amsterdam Marijuana Seeds – Amsterdam Marijuana Seeds is a Dutch seed bank that offers a wide selection of premium cannabis seeds, including feminized, autoflowering, and CBD strains. They ship worldwide and offer discreet shipping.

It’s important to do your research and choose a reputable seed bank like The Seed Pharm or online weed dispensary with a good reputation for quality seeds and customer service. Be sure to also check your local laws and regulations regarding the purchase and cultivation of cannabis seeds before making a purchase.

Alternatively, you can skip the whole growing process and buy weed online in Canada from dispensaries like Daily Marijuana.

 

References

Government of Canada. (2018, October 17). Cannabis in the Provinces and Territories. Health Canada. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/laws-regulations/provinces-territories.html

Online Weed Dispensary. (2023, September 1). Buy Weed Online & Find the Most Popular Cannabis Brands. Available at: https://onlineweeddispensary.co/

Malík, M., Velechovský, J., & Tlustoš, P. (2021). The overview of existing knowledge on medical cannabis plants growing. Plant, Soil and Environment, 67(8), 425-442. https://doi.org/10.17221/96/2021-pse

The Seed Pharm. (2023, September 1). Buy Cannabis Seeds Online. Available at: https://www.theseedpharm.com/