Fimming vs Topping: Which is Better? - Cannabis Growing Guide
WHAT IS TOPPING CANNABIS?
Topping is the process of pruning the growing tip of the main stem of a cannabis plant. This is perhaps the most common HST or high stress training technique applied by both indoor and outdoor growers. Marijuana growing naturally will typically take on a Christmas tree structure; One dominant, main central cola and multiple sets of side branches. All plant parts receiving a share of sunlight at some stage during the day as the sun traverses the sky.
In contrast, indoor cannabis plants receive illumination from a stationary grow lamp positioned above. This makes naturally-shaped cannabis plants inefficient to crop indoors, unless you cultivate in large numbers using the SOG or Sea of Green method. Topping is the method of choice for pro growers to increase yields. It is also favoured by home growers that want to fill out their grow space with a handful of plants, rather than pack in as many as possible.
Removing the terminal bud will encourage the development of two new main colas and promote growth of the lower, secondary branches. The aim is to invert the Christmas tree shape to allow more light penetration. Growth hormone is diffused to all of the shoots once the apical bud’s dominance is removed. Branchy, low-profile plants are more desirable to every grower. Indoors, vertical space is often at a premium and outdoors, bushes are stealthier than tall trees. Topping is a great technique to take control of the cannabis canopy.
WHAT IS FIMMING CANNABIS?
Fimming involves removing the marijuana plant’s new growth tip at the very end of the stem or branch where it meets the foliage. Growers cut away up to to 75 to 80 per cent of the tip. The remaining buds will be able to take up more light, which will ultimately increase their final weight.
Growers frequently prefer to use a curved blade to make a dished-out cut. Fimming should be used in conjunction with other growing techniques to successfully maximize the cannabis plant’s yield. Ultimately, fimming away the plant’s common singular bud will encourage it to produce two buds, which double the plant’s production.
It's possible to fimm a plant that already has two heads, thereby creating four or even five main (crown) buds.
For best results, fimming should not be done until your plant has three to five nodes (sets of leaves) in total. After that, once the plant grows more and more, it's possible to fimm the same plant more than once.
What are the Pros and Cons of Topping?
Topping is the recommended HST for those that are beginners to growing as it is very easy to undertake and will give you some great results. All you need to do is wait until your plant has grown a minimum of 3 nodes and then cut off the newest node – cutting just above where the leaves of the node underneath are. This will lead to 2 colas growing in the place of the 1 you cut off – giving you 2 for the price of 1!
This is a quick and easy technique which will not only increase the number of colas you produce but also help your plant to grow bushier and healthier. Topping will also help to control the shape of your plants, making them less like a Christmas tree and more able to be exposed to more light – this is especially important if you are growing indoors to make the most of your grow lights.
This is a pretty successful technique but the one con of topping is that it might take a bit of time to work up the courage to take a scissor to your plants – but it will be worth it for those bigger yields.
What are the Pros and Cons of Fimming?
Fimming is pretty similar to topping but this technique will produce even more colas so is a good choice if you just have a couple of plants growing in order to achieve maximum productivity. It is also pretty easy and hard to get wrong so, while a technique favored by more advanced growers, you can still try it out as a beginner. Simply wait until you have at least 3 nodes on your plant and then pinch the leaves of the most recent node with your finger and thumb.
After a few weeks of the fimming taking place, you will be blessed with at least 4 new colas and it will help your plant to grow bushier. However, fimming it isn’t as effective as topping at reducing the height of your plants and, as it isn’t as ‘stressful’ to plants as topping, it might not always achieve the desired effect.
HOW TO FIM?
HOW TO TOPPING?
Topping is the process of pruning the growing tip of the main stem of a cannabis plant. This is perhaps the most common HST or high stress training technique applied by both indoor and outdoor growers. Marijuana growing naturally will typically take on a Christmas tree structure; One dominant, main central cola and multiple sets of side branches. All plant parts receiving a share of sunlight at some stage during the day as the sun traverses the sky.
In contrast, indoor cannabis plants receive illumination from a stationary grow lamp positioned above. This makes naturally-shaped cannabis plants inefficient to crop indoors, unless you cultivate in large numbers using the SOG or Sea of Green method. Topping is the method of choice for pro growers to increase yields. It is also favoured by home growers that want to fill out their grow space with a handful of plants, rather than pack in as many as possible.
Removing the terminal bud will encourage the development of two new main colas and promote growth of the lower, secondary branches. The aim is to invert the Christmas tree shape to allow more light penetration. Growth hormone is diffused to all of the shoots once the apical bud’s dominance is removed. Branchy, low-profile plants are more desirable to every grower. Indoors, vertical space is often at a premium and outdoors, bushes are stealthier than tall trees. Topping is a great technique to take control of the cannabis canopy.
WHAT IS FIMMING CANNABIS?
Fimming involves removing the marijuana plant’s new growth tip at the very end of the stem or branch where it meets the foliage. Growers cut away up to to 75 to 80 per cent of the tip. The remaining buds will be able to take up more light, which will ultimately increase their final weight.
Growers frequently prefer to use a curved blade to make a dished-out cut. Fimming should be used in conjunction with other growing techniques to successfully maximize the cannabis plant’s yield. Ultimately, fimming away the plant’s common singular bud will encourage it to produce two buds, which double the plant’s production.
It's possible to fimm a plant that already has two heads, thereby creating four or even five main (crown) buds.
For best results, fimming should not be done until your plant has three to five nodes (sets of leaves) in total. After that, once the plant grows more and more, it's possible to fimm the same plant more than once.
What are the Pros and Cons of Topping?
Topping is the recommended HST for those that are beginners to growing as it is very easy to undertake and will give you some great results. All you need to do is wait until your plant has grown a minimum of 3 nodes and then cut off the newest node – cutting just above where the leaves of the node underneath are. This will lead to 2 colas growing in the place of the 1 you cut off – giving you 2 for the price of 1!
This is a quick and easy technique which will not only increase the number of colas you produce but also help your plant to grow bushier and healthier. Topping will also help to control the shape of your plants, making them less like a Christmas tree and more able to be exposed to more light – this is especially important if you are growing indoors to make the most of your grow lights.
This is a pretty successful technique but the one con of topping is that it might take a bit of time to work up the courage to take a scissor to your plants – but it will be worth it for those bigger yields.
What are the Pros and Cons of Fimming?
Fimming is pretty similar to topping but this technique will produce even more colas so is a good choice if you just have a couple of plants growing in order to achieve maximum productivity. It is also pretty easy and hard to get wrong so, while a technique favored by more advanced growers, you can still try it out as a beginner. Simply wait until you have at least 3 nodes on your plant and then pinch the leaves of the most recent node with your finger and thumb.
After a few weeks of the fimming taking place, you will be blessed with at least 4 new colas and it will help your plant to grow bushier. However, fimming it isn’t as effective as topping at reducing the height of your plants and, as it isn’t as ‘stressful’ to plants as topping, it might not always achieve the desired effect.
HOW TO FIM?
- To apply the FIM method couldn’t be easier. You have a choice between pinching and snipping. It all comes down to what is the most comfortable style for the grower. If you prefer to prune with scissors, then stick with your sterile clippers.
- It’s best to keep in mind that Fimming originated from an instance of inaccurate plant topping. Fimming is the process of removing approximately 75% of the tip from the main shoot. Pinching off the area between the fingertips allows more room for error and often results in a more successful FIM.
HOW TO TOPPING?
- Cuts off top of plant at stem in between nodes
- Creates 2 main colas at the top of the plant, and LST can be used to create more
- New colas are evenly spaced (attached to the stem in the same place)
- Unlike FIMing, topping can be used to reduce the height of plant in vegetative page
- More stressful than FIMing – it takes vegetative plants longer to recover from topping
- The extra main stems grow from above the node where you make the top cut. This video shows the whole cannabis topping process, in a timelapse format, showing what topping looks like in 10-14 days. The lower growth tips also begin rising up, and can produce even more main colas.
Final Thoughts
When fimming or topping cannabis plants this will definitely get you some bigger colas and possibly more if done correctly. It does take some practice with theses methods and to see which one you would prefer to use.
Have you already grown marijuana? If not, we suggest you to choose a indoor grow kits, the grow kits are simple to set up and makes it easier to begin growing. The first benefit of buying a complete grow tent kit is that it’s compact. Even if you have a small apartment with little closet space, you can set up a complete grow kit there. The second benefit is that you don’t need to go shopping for extra parts. These complete grow tent kits come with everything you need to start growing. This includes all electronics such as lighting with hangers, a inline fan for weed with filters, and other necessities like nutrients for the plants. Finally, grow tent kits are moveable, so you can take them with you wherever you go. This is especially useful because grow tent kits are a big initial investment. Being able to pack up them up with you saves costs of setting up a new growing operation.
Comments
Post a Comment