Topping and final plant height?

[Badfinger]

For my 2nd grow I decided to try my hand at topping my Zkittelz. I did no LST. And both plants are 18" tall. I'm in week 11, and look to be ready for harvest in about two weeks. I realize topping is going to cut down on height. I just hadnt realized they would be that short. Height is not a concern for me with my 80" tent, I was just hoping to even out the light to the canopy. So now I am wondering if I should still top my next grow.
Is this common with topping and not LSTing?

 

[2budz]

What size pots are you using?

 

[2budz]

I use 1 gallon pots and only top. My plants are usually between 18 and 24 inches. I know a great grower could grow them taller but that’s as big as I want mine.

 

[2budz]

Post some pics. Let’s see where you topped it too.

 

[Badfinger]

What size pots are you using?

I'm in 7 gallon pots. Dam things are so small I feel like I lost 3 months of my life. I topped them on day 20, chopped the 5th node. I would be shocked if I get one oz. per plant.

 

[2budz]

IMO, you topped it to early. I’m sure plenty will disagree with me but I will post some pics when I get home tonight. I always let them grow to the 7-8 node and top at the 5th-6th depending on how big the 2 branches left behind are. When I top like you did my plants are super small. Since I grow in smaller pots I’m talking like 8 inches lol. I’m about to harvest the last mistake.
*when I say topped at the 5th or 6th I mean above that node. I usually try for the 6th for those 2 extra branches but sometimes the 2 new tops are just to short at the 6th.

 

[Badfinger]

IMO, you topped it to early. I’m sure plenty will disagree with me but I will post some pics when I get home tonight. I always let them grow to the 7-8 node and top at the 5th-6th depending on how big the 2 branches left behind are. When I top like you did my plants are super small. Since I grow in smaller pots I’m talking like 8 inches lol. I’m about to harvest the last mistake.

Everything I read in that topping thread said days 18-21.

 

[2budz]

Everything I read in that topping thread said days 18-21.

Right. But look at your plants. I followed that when I first started with autos and had the same results but worse because of my small pots. I will post lots of pics tonight and go into more detail on my topping routine. I promise, the way I do it won’t stunt your plants at all. I have 4 plants that will be ready to top in the next 10 days so I will be able to show an actual example.

 

[Badfinger]

My next grow should start in February, I'll be doing 3 Orange Sherbets, which have the capability of 5 feet, so I wanted to wet my feet this grow with topping. I'm not saying I'm good enough to grow 5' auto's, but better safe then sorry. I never dreamed I would get 4 oz per plant my first grow, but luck is real

 

[2budz]

My next grow should start in February, I'll be doing 3 Orange Sherbets, which have the capability of 5 feet, so I wanted to wet my feet this grow with topping. I'm not saying I'm good enough to grow 5' auto's, but better safe then sorry.

Don’t let this experience deter you from topping your autos. It’s really about timing and reading your plant rather than doing it on a specific day. When done correctly your plant will still grow tall.