Once transplanted you will want to decide if you will be topping and training your plants. I usually trim off the branches at the first node when the plants are 5-7 weeks old. They always seem thin and weak and tend to underperform unless defoliated. If you plan on topping (which is cutting the top growth of the plant to halt upward growth) I recommend waiting until a week after transplant. This helps reduce the stress on the plant. I usually top my plants after the 4th node (or third as the first was removed). After it has been topped the plant will start to push growth out on the secondary branches.
This is normal and exactly what you want. To understand this process, take a look at the pictures of my Seedsman Blueberry trunk and things will make more sense.
At this point you’ll have 6 branches and will use those to make a solid and even canopy. This is where training comes in so you can direct the plant where you want it to grow. For the first node(closest to the bottom), leave it to grow mostly straight up. On the first node branches you will trim off any node branches and leaves as it grows so it resembles a rose stem with new growth on top. On the second and third nodes you will tie them down to grow outward as close to level as you can. As they start to grow nodes they can also be topped. I usually top them weekly at their first or second node. For the second node I will remove the leaves and branches from the first node on the branch. This ensures all growth goes to the two new branches after being topped.
Next you will continue to top node two and three as the first branches catch up to the top of the canopy. At this point you top anything that grows above the canopy. Following this process, four of your six branches would have been topped at least three or four times.
By doing this you will multiply your colas(flower clusters). Those four branches will become eight, those eight become sixteen, and so on. You can hit 32 colas from just four branches. Counting those other two branches you will have 34 cola tops! Depending on the plant size and strain, you could top those 34 colas. What will you do with 68 fat buds?
Remember, the vegetative stage is where you really get to shine as a grower. You can trim and shape your plants like bonsai tree master. Make it what you want it to be. Top as much or as little as you like. The more often you grow and experiment, the more you will learn what works best for you and your strains. Happy topping!
