lower bud sites ???

[jumpincactus]

I was wondering what some of you do concerning the lower branches that due to plant height and stretch during initial flower mode. The main cols are forming really nice however the lower portions of the side branching are uninspired and weak. Buds are forming but noticeably smaller. I know it due to lower light levels being shaded by the upper structure.

Do any of you harvest the higher stronger buds first when ripe and then let the rest of the lower portion ripen as it gets more light due to the harvest of the higher colas?

Already spending too much on the electric as it is. What about supplemental lighting that wont add to the light bill too much. If you have used supplemental lighting what types and brands get good results?

Thanks

 

[Jnugg]

Go vertical = problem solved.

 

[rangergord]

Yes you can harvest the top buds first and lower the light but it will take considerably longer. If you are spending too much on electricity don't add another light! There are better solutions. As Jnug says Vertical may be a possiblility. Then there is SCROG for a more conventional approach. Going to 12/12 sooner might be all that is required. Look at how many inches of the plant stalk is well formed and how much is stunted. Then reduce the veg time accordingly. anything that brings the light lower or keeps the plants shorter is fair game.

 

[SeaMaiden]

I remove them because of their lack of potential. This allows the plant to put its energy into the preferable buds, and makes trimming much, much easier.

 

[bigAl25]

I've harvested the top 3/4s of the plant and lowered the light for another 2 weeks. Worked great for strawberry bubba kush and bubblelicious grow. Next grow I trimmed off the lower portion of all small stems and buds for C99 hybrid, ww/bb. I did end up with a lot of nanners on that grow, did the stress contribute to this? I don't have the answer, but next time I'll do what I did the time before and lower the light for another 2 weeks, the extra buds were good and a nice surprise when flowered longer. Peace and respect.

 

[SpicySativa]

SeaMaiden - When do you prune your undergrowth? I usually prune at about day 14 of 12/12, after most of the stretch is done and I can tell which branches are going to produce quality nuggets.

 

[socialist]

I remove them because of their lack of potential. This allows the plant to put its energy into the preferable buds, and makes trimming much, much easier.

Same here. I usually start removing the lower branches during veg sometimes using the bigger branches for clones. Then I do the rest between day 7 and 14 of 12/12.

 

[bigshrimp]

Try not to let the plant waste too much energy on them if your going to cut them off, the earlier the better.

If they are already forming nuggets id go for the staggered harvest method this run.

 

[Keep goin]

Chop em...if you go vert it's really 6 one way 1/2 a dozen the other...instead of the bottoms being a waste, the whole back of the plant is.

If you don't eliminate small growth, early and often, you will end up eliminating it at the end. When you're like...wtf is this shit...useless!!

I have found that being aggressive is always your best bet. Trim em out when you flip, then again about a week in, and again, and again...up until about 3 weeks in. I have many times been disappointed that I didn't get aggressive enough. Have never found..."oops I should have left that larfy shit on there...would have been great to make some butter, or hash."

Check out some of the LST threads Simons is one of the best. Regardless of the tie down approach...it's a great read on trimming out growth that won't amount to anything.

Good Luck
KG

 

[SeaMaiden]

SeaMaiden - When do you prune your undergrowth? I usually prune at about day 14 of 12/12, after most of the stretch is done and I can tell which branches are going to produce quality nuggets.

I start addressing it as soon as I see bud sites forming. I continue about 1x/week, with it being finished by the third week, usually. That 14 day mark is a fairly good time for determination and action, though, if you prefer to do it all in one fell swoop. Because I'm a rather lazy grower, I get to them haphazardly, will do sections at a time as my back or attention span allow.

Oh! Yes, the stretch should be finished by the time I'm finishing up selecting the poor bud sites out. I have run several lines that don't stop stretching for almost a month. Those lines have had to be run for 16wks+, not something I look to do again in the near future.

There is a lot of positive to be said for staggered harveys, too. I've just never done it indoors, outdoors only.