Hello! Topping? 1st Time Grower, LED & Soil

[Gnarlymarley]

Greetings,

Sorry- I’m thinking I should move this post to a different forum?? It’s my intro and a question about topping/training. Other than my grow journal, this is my first post; so, if I need to be further directed on where I should be posting this... please feel free to help a girl out and let me know!!
I’m on my first grow (White Widow, AK-47, and Bubblegum). Indoor 2x2x4 grow tent, using 1220W LED (268W±3% 110V). Growing in FF Happy Frog soil mixed with perlite. Germinated (WW and AK) seeds 17 days ago and on day 14 since sprouting. Bubblegum was germinated 14 days ago and on day 11 since sprouting. I know I’m not ready to top/train yet but it’s coming within the next few days...I think. WW and AK both starting their 4th nodes. Since my tent is only 4’ tall, when should I top these 2?

Pictures attached and my grow journal is available to view as well (Gnarlymarley)

Any help/advice/recommendations GREATLY APPRECIATED!!
✌

 

[GHempster]

Hi and welcome to the community. I also grow under a low ceiling. Floor to ceiling is 72". Plus run 2 short tents from Mars. When I first started I was the same and worried about height but to be honest check the seedbank for max height many strains only grow about 45" indoors. So you end up with lots of room. Topping I found best around the fifth node than main line and keep laying her flat till she is bigger than the pot or till you like it. Than let her go till she reaches about 20" and flip. In end should be right height.

Here is a couple picsl exactly what I described.

 

[Gnarlymarley]

Hi and welcome to the community. I also grow under a low ceiling. Floor to ceiling is 72". Plus run 2 short tents from Mars. When I first started I was the same and worried about height but to be honest check the seedbank for max height many strains only grow about 45" indoors. So you end up with lots of room. Topping I found best around the fifth node than main line and keep laying her flat till she is bigger than the pot or till you like it. Than let her go till she reaches about 20" and flip. In end should be right height.

Here is a couple picsl exactly what I described.

In doing the math I just realized I only have 18” of total vertical grow space from seed to finish so I’m a bit nervous about losing out! Thanks for the advice!

 

[GHempster]

Whats taking up the 4' of height you have. With pot and light you should still have a good 2.5' of grow space.

 

[MochaBud]

to @Gnarlymarley

 

[Gnarlymarley]

Whats taking up the 4' of height you have. With pot and light you should still have a good 2.5' of grow space.

Top of soil is 8.5”
LED during flower needs to be 16” from canopy
The light itself is 3.5” tall
And...I figure I can get it 2” from ceiling.

So, 48”-30”=18” vertical grow space

Did I not figure correctly? Initially, I thought the same as you but then...I did the math (which is not my forte mind you)

 

[GHempster]

No worries mate. You have 48" total height less light (3.5) less pot (8.5) less 2" hanging leaves you 34" of grow space. You are good to grow. grow her big grow her strong.

 

[skirk]

You can keep them very short with LST. When I get 5 nodes, I remove 1&2 and begin aggressively tying down.
Disclaimer: First pic is not mine.

 

[Gnarlymarley]

No worries mate. You have 48" total height less light (3.5) less pot (8.5) less 2" hanging leaves you 34" of grow space. You are good to grow. grow her big grow her strong.

Wait a minute, you didn’t account for the space between the canopy and light. My LED book says the light needs to be 16”-20” from canopy during flower, so how come you didn’t take that into account?

 

[Gnarlymarley]

You can keep them very short with LST. When I get 5 nodes, I remove 1&2 and begin aggressively tying down.
Disclaimer: First pic is not mine.

3rd pic looks very nice! I will definitely be tying down.

 

[GHempster]

Yes true but dependant on strain and amount of stretching but you will be fine. By mainlining your plant between the 3rd and 5th node depending on early stretch and height of plant early on. Than you control the height and when she is 1/3 (approx as strain related also) the height of your available grow space flip her to flower and she will stretch twice during flower and end up roughly between 12 and 16" from light in the end. If in extreme growth situation you can always lay the top colas over and have extra space. You are in control all the time no worries man grow her big as you can.

 

[Gnarlymarley]

Yes true but dependant on strain and amount of stretching but you will be fine. By mainlining your plant between the 3rd and 5th node depending on early stretch and height of plant early on. Than you control the height and when she is 1/3 (approx as strain related also) the height of your available grow space flip her to flower and she will stretch twice during flower and end up roughly between 12 and 16" from light in the end. If in extreme growth situation you can always lay the top colas over and have extra space. You are in control all the time no worries man grow her big as you can.

Thanks much!! Very helpful!!

 

[Mlburk1]

That’s what I’m after !! Same results