Week 4: Topping and LST
Hello dear growers and growerettes,
I am back with another update on my grow, where I am growing four different strains from Zamnesia: Gorilla Zkittlez, Gigglez, Bruce Banner and Blueberry.
The fourth week was very busy, as I decided to top my plants and continue with low stress training (LST). Topping is a technique that involves cutting off the top part of the main stem of your plants, to create two new main stems. This way, you can increase the number of colas and the yield of your plants.
To top my plants, I used a clean and sharp pair of scissors, and I cut off the top part of the main stem, just above the node where two side branches emerge. This node is called the apical meristem, and it is responsible for the vertical growth of the plant. By cutting it off, I stimulated the growth of the two side branches below it, which became the new main stems.
Topping is a great way to create a more bushy and productive plant, as it allows more light and air to reach the lower parts of the plant. It also reduces the height of the plant, which is useful if you have limited space or want to avoid detection.
I also continued with LST, which is a technique that involves bending and tying down the branches and stems of your plants, to create a more even and flat canopy. I used some plant wire, which is a flexible and soft wire that can be easily wrapped around the branches and stems without damaging them. I gently bent the branches and stems to the side, and secured them to the edge of the pot with the wire.
LST is a great way to optimize the use of light and space, as it exposes more bud sites to the light and creates a more uniform canopy. It also improves the airflow and reduces the risk of mold and pests.
My plants are developing very well, except for the branches next to the topped site, which seem to not grow as much as the others. Maybe someone has a tip on how to fix this? I water them every three days with pH-regulated water, and I keep the humidity and temperature at the same level as last week. Since the plants are growing horizontally, I don’t need to change the distance to the lamp. The side branches are growing nicely and seem to be on their way to become juicy top buds.
Here are the sizes of my plants after four weeks:
Gorilla Zkittlez: 20 cm
Gigglez: 16 cm
Bruce Banner: 20 cm
Blueberry: 18 cm
This week, I noticed a slight smell coming from my plants, which is a sign that they are getting ready to flower. I can’t wait to see the buds forming and the trichomes sparkling!
Thank you for your attention, and see you in the next update!
Cheers, Keta Pan.