Bringing plants back inside to flower

[MountainBudz]

Hey guys, I recently had a security brief which caused me to have to put plants in the bush in 2 gallon containers at 3 weeks old for about a week now. Upon putting them outside they were quiet bushy after being under 24,000 lumens of fluoros at around 6-7 inches tall.

After being outside for a week I took a journey to pick them back up and bring them in last night to discover they have stretched to about 12-13 inches tall one of them being in the 14 inch range. I plan on taking a few cuttings from these momma's to put outside this year but these plants are going to be flowered indoors.

Upon arrival I have discovered a few things. One is I found a few aphids and other bugs on them that I can't really put my finger on, yet. I will spray them lightly with insecticide tonight to take care of that problem, since they are not in flower, I do not care to use a little Sevin, or maybe a more organic approach.

I found one male and one confirmed runt that i'm discarding. I gave them a good watering that they desperately needed with a little FF open sesame and plan on taking cuttings in a few hours once their veins fill with water. I figured the open sesame was a good choice due to the low N, high P K to promote better rooting and also I will be switching to flower in a few days maybe a week or so.

Here is my main concern. The stretch they endured outside. I usually flower my girls very short, robust, stocky and branchy, indoors. From the first node to about the 4th or so the branches are very close together and vigorous. Then from about 6 to 7 inches above the "bush" is the long terminal branch with a couple more nodes spaced out to about 3 to 5 inches a piece. Should I take my cuttings from these stretchy tops and at the same time it will top them? Should I top them, take cuttings from lower branches? Should I bend them over and lst them? What should I do?

They will be transplanted into 5 to 6 gallon containers tomorrow or a day or so after obtaining the cuttings to veg for another week or so. I don't like stretchy plants, I feel as if indoors, they dont produce as well. Thanks!

PS: I also worry that any topping to shorten them will hinder my final yield?

 

[Scrappy-doo]

You could do any of those things. Personally, I would just take cuts from the tops if they're too tall. Much easier than trying to train them. The bottoms will grow out and you'll have bushes. Yes it will affect your yield, but only because you cut away some foliage so your plants will be smaller. Veg them out to whatever size you normally like and you'll get the same yield you usually do.

 

[MountainBudz]

I guess I will just cut the tops off and clone them and maybe get some cuts from the very bottom, the lanky ones anyway. I'm sure those top terminals will make some good stout girls. I've noticed a couple of the strains top terminals are very large though and the stalk is pretty hollow, you could probably use it as a straw. Will this cause any problems? As I usually take cuttings from bottom of plant, hardly ever have I seen one with gapes this wide. I definitely don't want air in the cuts. Thanks Scrappy

 

[Scrappy-doo]

You know that's a really good question. Never tried to clone a top with a big fat hollow stem. I don't see why not. How do you clone? A bubbler should not be a problem, you can put it right in without damaging the stem. I'd try to clone it and also take some snips from the bottom. Either way you should cut the top to shape it the way you want. Personally I top multiple times to get several main colas. I've cut plants literally in half before flowering if they stretch too much and I need to make them fit.