How much height can you top off of a plant?

[CaliHillsGrower]

I have a plant right now thats about 6' tall outdoors and its peeking over my fence, but I don't want it visible. I'm wondering, how much height can I cut off of the plant? I'd like to chop off about 18" if that's doable without stressing it too much. Otherwise I guess I'll just tie it and bend it down.

 

[theJointedOne]

Bend, tie down, and keep in mind future support which may be needed for a plant your size in full flower.

I'd say real support and training are two of the most missed actions by even the seasoned growers

 

[CaliHillsGrower]

Here is a pic of the girl for reference. This is actually a buddy of mines grow..his second time growing outdoors and I only have experience with smaller plants, so we didn't really know what to expect. You can see he has the small cage around the outside which was more to keep raccoons and pests out, but that'll be used as support for the lower branches now too. I'm assuming he'll need more support for the top since it still has some veg time?

He's thinking he wants to top it about 18" down, but I'm leaning more towards tying it because I'm worried about stressing it by cutting that much. Do you think topping it would be detrimental to the growth?

 

[CaliHillsGrower]

Its in a 100 gallon smart pot for size reference

 

[Bud Green]

judging from your picture, she looks green, tender and growing like gangbusters!

I would not cut those 2 stalks which appear to be the tallest, but instead, again judging by the picture, pinch those 2 stalks about 6 inches higher than the top of the fence... just pinch them until they squish flat between your fingers and gently let them bend all the way over....the pinched stem will slowly heal with the top bent over... As it heals, growth will move to all the smaller branches below the pinch.. After the pinch heals, the bent over top will start to grow back up, but it will be much lower now than where it was...

This way, instead of cutting it off, you still will get big colas from those 2 stalks you bent.. They will just be lower in height...

Hope I explained this so you understand what I'm saying...

Good luck...

 

[Sam_Skunkman]

Tie it down and bend it, use a cement brick with a rope. I used to gently bend/break branches to the shape and height I wanted. Sometimes they break and die but with care you can alter a branch to go where you want. Better then trimming the top. You can get the main stem to grow along the ground with all the branches growing up to the sky.
-SamS

 

[CaliHillsGrower]

Thanks a lot for the input guys! We're going to tie and bend them down. When I go out and see them next week I may supergroup as Bud Green Sr. suggested, thats what I usually do with my own plants.

Do you think we'll need some stakes with landscaping tape or something to support the plant above the cage once flowering begins? I guess better safe than sorry..

 

[CaliHillsGrower]

When I go out and see them next week I may supergroup...

*supercrop

 

[sourpuss]

U could make a trellis out of pvc tube. Have the sickest outdoor scrog. Not sure if ive ever seen an outdoor scrog.... would be dope!!

I think u could smash em down with the net and they would shoot right back up through the net. Not sure if its too late...

 

[safetyfirst66]

she'll be all the more bushy and productive once you pinch that top down