Outdoor Pruning: lower branches and top bud site

[tilopa]

This is really two questions about what to prune on outdoor plants.

First, is it a good idea to prune the lower few branches early in veg, the ones hanging near the dirt? The theory I've heard is that if you prune those low branches the energy the plant would use to grow them out can be freed up to grow the top branches that have more bud sites and get more sun. Is this correct?

Second, I've always been told to clip the top center bud site (also early in veg) to allow the two bud sites on either side to develop better. I'm not sure this logic makes sense to me, the center bud site is the most prominent and you're getting rid of it to help the growth of the two weaker ones next to it. I'm I missing something here?

 

[bigherb]

It depends on a few factors

The strain your growing , style your growing, local your growing


The lowest branches pruned is a good idea . It will promote energy up top and avoid having buds to close to the dirt

Topping the plant maybe a good idea if your growing in an area with strong winds and might be concerned of the top breaking . staking , netting , caging can avoid this . Also strain dependent ,sativas are more flexible and less prone to mold . Some area can bring mold/ bud rot with certain indie Dom strains . Ive heard topping is done by some soo such a big main cola hopefully won't be affected

IMO I'd suggest removing the inner bud sites along the branches in early flower it will avoid popcorn or what some call larf . It's a bitch to trim n this promotes energy into fuller colas

Also you can LST as oppose to topping it can be less stressful then topping an produce similar results


Just my thoughts , you can apply different methods and see what works best for you

1luvbigherb