Time to top?

[Darthweeder]

Sup!

Dutch passion auto Brooklyn sunrise @ day 21.

Is it time to top it or wait until the next nod, alternatively wait until the stem grows a bit more at the last nod?
Am I right that I got 3 nodes and the first non serrated leafs doesn't count?

 

[Big Sul]

It is my understanding that you want to top prior to pre-flower. I could be mistake.

 

[DCLXVI]

I'm counting 4 nodes. The first set of true leaves, the brownish one in the lower edge of the picture should count as "1" as far as I know. I usually snip the 5th off but wait until it's well clear of the 4th just to make gettings clippers on it easier. I'd say if you're going to top, give it another day or two and let that set of leaves on the 4th unfold a bit more and once there is just a smidge of stem between 4/5 give it a nip!

I've read that you really want to top by day 21 or so, which again you're at 21 and a day up or down won't be that big of a deal. Again those are all just guidelines. Looks to be going pretty well overall!


EDIT: It is your plant so do as you would like. Learning by doing is the best way to get a feel and understanding for it. I top for height control more than anything.

 

[Olderfart]

Sup!

Dutch passion auto orange bud @ day 21.

Is it time to top it or wait until the next nod, alternatively wait until the stem grows a bit more at the last nod?
Am I right that I got 3 nodes and the first non serrated leafs doesn't count?

The first non serrated leaves (cotyledons) do not count, but as far as I know, the first single finger leaves do. So, you could chop when the latest stem gets extended enough to snip it cleanly, or you could go one more node, either will work fine. I top pretty much all mine as @DCLXVI does to control height. I snip as soon as I can get at the target stem cleanly, growing leaves above that point just wastes plant time and energy IMO.

I top because I like my plants more on the compact side with a bunch of similar colas rather than stretched with a central dominant one. Just personal preference, go with whatever cures yer bud.

 

[Darthweeder]

@Big Sul @DCLXVI @Olderfart

Thanks all, appreciate it!

Yeah, it's a height thing for me. Got 2 Brooklyn sunrise side by side, and this one is definitely more "sativa-ish".
The other one I'm just gonna lst, wich I started with today.

 

[Darthweeder]

Well they seem to be "ok", probably alot of issues as I'm a noob. But they ain't dead at least, haha.
Gonna always top i think.

 

[DCLXVI]

Looks like it went well. Two nice tops coming off that spot where you snipped. Overall plant health is a different story but I would say you got the "how/when to top" nailed.

The other thing I do is, those two top stems? I put some plant ribbons on them and gently pull them out towards the edges. Low stress training. Something to add for next time perhaps. Top then train. If you pull them down nicely, the stems from the node below can catch up and you will have 4 nice even main stems coming up.