1st Topping as a Baby Plant
Get Growing in 2026
All Varieties Grow Differently:
Cut very top bud site. Canopy starts to form.
Teenagers: They Like to Eat a Lot and Grow!
Now that you’ ve got your baby plants grown, topped, and transplanted, they are officially entering their teenage years.
● Here’ s what to do: give them as much light as your grow room will allow and keep it on for 18 to 24 hours.( Yes, I said 24 hours of light. That’ s how I veg the majority of my plants.)
● Feed those girls; never give your growing plants nutrients. Every watering is nutrient water from seed until flush.
Now it’ s time to bend, top, chop, prune, and cut. It can mentally be very difficult to remove good, healthy branches and potential bud sites from your plants, but, Trust Me, just do it— you want your plant to develop a canopy of mid to large size buds that will mature at the same rate, will be easy to trim, and will evenly dry.
Scan the QR code to see a“ Pruning for fat Buds” video.
Watch your plants; each will let you know how to trim it. I like to create an even spread and a wide canopy. After the initial topping, the plant will start to“ octopus;” that is, the lower branches will grow up to the same height as the top branches. Now decide whether to top more, bend, and or thin out branches. Let the plant grow into this initial trim / manipulation and observe. Now start removing lower buds, then repeat topping, bending, and chopping until the plant is shaped to your liking.
My end canopy is as flat and wide as possible. Each branch has a top bud site and, about three nodes down, will develop into nice buds. I make sure there is plenty of room between branches to allow for light penetration and growth. I like to“ nakify” all lower bud sites( which would turn into annoying-to-trim, energy-sucking, little popcorn buds) all at the same time, leaving as much foliage as possible— the leaves will collect energy and absorb nutrients. They also help buffer and identify problems.
Note: This pruning process is specific to each plant and is easier to show than to explain; my videos are quite detailed. See the pruning process video by scanning this QR code.
The length of time that you veg your plants is 100 % up to you.
A Final Note: I treat my auto plants just like I treat my photo plants. They get topped, pruned, and bent exactly the same. They also get a veg / flower light cycle. Ever since I started lighting my Autos as if they were Photos, my Auto yields and quality have been better. I believe that Autos are only one or two generations away from regular Photos, so they might benefit. I’ ve treated all my Autos the same as Photos ever since.
Next month, we will transition your plants into adulthood as we discuss the Flowering Stage.
Scan the QR code to see more of Gerry’ s How-To videos. Gerry is also available at Emerald Garden Grow Supply for Free personal grow consultations. He’ s happy to help walk you through your grow from seed to harvest!
Gerry Donovan, the owner of Emerald Garden Grow Supply, Raytown, MO, says,“ I am not a plant Biologist nor a Chemist. I do not have any formal cannabis plant education, as that was a non-existent thing before today’ s world. I do, however, have a passion for cannabis, which words fail to describe. I’ ve traveled throughout Europe, including Amsterdam, Spain, and Canada, where I not only ventured into the world of seeds and genetics but also continued my quest to learn as much as I could about Growing the Plant. I continue to expand my knowledge via grow seminars and cultivators’ conferences and, most importantly, through simple discussions with other growers. Over the last 22 years, I’ ve developed my own Grow Methodology through trial and error with love and passion. I hope to guide you on the pathway to enjoying the best cannabis you have ever consumed— your own homegrown!” Cannabis – Education – Wellness.
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