Can you top autoflower cannabis?

Plant training techniques come in all shapes and sizes. From the simple low-stress technique of gently bending the branches and tying them down to the frankenstein esque high-stress technique of mainlining, there are so many ways to manipulate your plants for maximum yield and quality.

But topping is definitely up there with the most often used and most effective techniques. It involves carefully removing the top of the plant, specifically the newest growth tip, which forces the plant to focus on growing multiple new tops instead of just one main cola.

But, is it recommended, or even possible, to top autoflowering weed plants?

Should you top autoflowers?

The short answer is... maybe.

Maybe?

Yeah, we know, probably not the answer you were looking for. Let's break it down.

Autos have a defined vegetative growth stage. Unlike photoperiod cultivars, there is no way to force autos to stay in the vegetative stage longer than their predetermined schedule.

Why does this matter?

Topping a weed plant (or any plant for that matter) causes a brief period of shock, as the plant has to redirect its energy and resources from growing bigger to healing the wound. This stunts the overall growth for anywhere between 3 to 10 days, depending on the plant and how well it recovers.

So why is this a problem for autoflowers?

This isn't an issue for photoperiod plants because you can control when they enter the flowering stage by manipulating their light cycle. But autos will start flowering when they are genetically programmed to, regardless of their size, age, or light cycle.

Some autos (not all, but some) just don't have enough vegetative growth time to bounce back from the stress to make topping worth the effort.

But don't completely rule out topping autos just yet...

Will topping autoflowering plants increase yield?

Again, the best we can give you is a maybe.

The question should probably be "Which autoflowering strains should I top?".

You should only consider topping autos that you have grown before, and that you have a solid understanding of their growth cycles, genetic potential, and resilience to stress. Some strains handle topping better than others.

So how do you know which autos can handle topping?

Reading grow diaries can put you ahead of the game, as you can learn from others' experiences with specific autos. You should look for an auto with a slightly longer seed-to-harvest time frame, as these tend to have more aggressive vegetative growth stages and can handle topping better.

You can definitely increase the yield of some autos by topping them, but you can also decrease the yield if not done correctly or with the wrong strain.

When should you start topping autoflowers?

We like to top our autos above the third node.

When topping photoperiod strains, we usually wait until the fourth node has developed, but with autos, it's better to get going a little earlier.

Step-by-step guide to topping autoflowering weed strains

Once your plant has hit the third node, she is ready to be topped.

1. Identify the newest growth tip on the main stem - this is a small cluster of leaves at the very top.
2. Before you cut, wash your hands!
3. Using a pair of clean, sharp scissors, carefully snip off the entire growth tip just above where it meets with the stem - just above where the new branches are starting to form.
4. You should see two new growth tips start to develop in a week or so - these will become your main colas.
5. Let the plant recover for 4 to 7 days, and feed with a light dose of nutrients to help with the healing process.
6. After that, continue with your usual feeding and training routine.

We heavily recommend only topping autos once. They do not have time to recover from multiple toppings, and it can severely stunt their growth and yield potential.

What are safer alternatives to topping?

Now, while you can give high stress techniques like topping or super cropping a go with your autos, there are some safer alternatives that you might want to consider.

Low-Stress Training (LST)

As mentioned earlier, LST involves gently bending and tying down branches to create more horizontal growth instead of vertical growth. This can be done throughout the entire plant's life cycle, as it does not cause any shock or stress.

Scrog

Scrogging, or Screen of Green, is probably the most effective way to increase yield without any risk of stunting your plant's growth. This technique involves using a screen or net to train the branches to grow horizontally, creating an even canopy and maximising light penetration.

SOG

SOG, or Sea of Green, is another method that can be used with autos. It is actually the perfect way to grow fast-finishing autos. All you have to do is FILL your grow bed or tent with autos. Say you have a 4' x 4' tent - enough room for maybe 4 photoperiod plants.

With SOG, you'll cram 10 to 14 autos in that same space, and you do not top them. This creates a dense canopy of fast-growing plants all competing for light, resulting in an impressive yield.

How many times can you top an autoflower?

Once, and no more. autos don't have time to bounce back from multiple toppings, and it can severely stunt their growth and yield potential.

How many nodes before topping an autoflower?

Some growers say two, some say four - but we like to top our autos above the third node.

When should you start and stop topping your autoflowers?

You should start topping your autos once they have reached the third node. As for when to stop, we recommended to only top them once as they do not have enough time to recover from multiple toppings.

What is the most that an autoflower can yield?

If you have never grown an auto before, you might be surprised to learn that they can produce some impressive yields.

When grown in good climatic conditions, and fed with top shelf nutrients, autos can pump out huge yields, and definitely more than most photoperiod plants in the same timeframe.

Final thoughts

So, should you top your next auto crop?

Only you can really answer that question. There are some pretty heavy risks involved, but the rewards can be substantial.

Our advice is only top autos if you have experience growing that particular strain and are sure that it can handle the stress and has the vegetative growth time to bounce back.

For new growers, we recommend sticking to safer alternatives like LST or SCroG until you have a better understanding of the auto strain you want to try to top. But, then again, growing weed is supposed to be fun, so if you feel confident and adventurous, give topping a go and see what happens. Just remember to pay close attention to your plant's reaction and adjust accordingly.