The short answer is no, or at least it’s not recommended. But why is it not recommended for most people?
What is an autoflower?
Autoflowers are cannabis plants that flower automatically, without the need to change the light cycle. These plants are usually smaller and more compact than regular cannabis plants and have a shorter flowering time. Autoflowers are a great option for growers who want to harvest their own crop without having to worry about changing the light cycle.
What is topping?
Topping cannabis is the process of removing the main, central cola from the plant in order to encourage lateral growth. This forces the plant to grow new shoots, which will increase the plant’s overall yield. This results in a bushier plant with more buds. However, while this method is effective, it can also be damaging to the plant if not done correctly. This can be especially risky for Autoflowers, since the plant’s life cycle doesn’t allow for the plant to recover from damage without reducing yields substantially.
Can I train my autoflower to increase its yield?
In order to ensure your cannabis plants grow healthy and strong, it is important to train them. This process will help to improve the plant’s yield and overall quality. There are several different methods of training cannabis plants, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. While topping is a common training method, it is not recommed for Autoflowers for the aforementioned reasons. However, there are other popular training methods which are less risky to damage the plant. The most common methods are Super Cropping, Screen of Green (SCROG), and Low-Stress Training (LST).
Super Cropping
Super cropping is a cannabis cultivation technique that involves pinching, twisting, or otherwise damaging the main stem of a plant in order to encourage the growth of new, more robust branches.
This technique can be used to increase yield, as well as improve the quality of the final product. Super cropping is most often used on indica strains, which are typically more resistant to damage than sativas. The main stem of a cannabis plant is relatively fragile, and even slight damage can cause it to break or snap.
This makes super cropping a risky proposition for novice growers, as a mistake can easily ruin an entire crop. That being said, when done correctly, super cropping can be an extremely effective way to improve the quality and yield of your cannabis crop.
Screen of Green
Screen of Green (SCROG) is a method of training that involves using a screen to support the plant’s stems. This technique is used in order to create an even canopy of leaves which allows more light to reach the lower branches and bud sites. Screen of Green is an excellent way to increase yields while also decreasing the amount of time and energy needed to care for the plants. Which will increase the plant’s overall yield.
Low-Stress Training
Low-Stress Training (LST) is a gardening technique that can be used to train plants to grow horizontally along a support, rather than vertically. This training method can be used to encourage plants to produce more buds and flowers, and to increase yields. LST can be used on a variety of plants, including cannabis.
To begin, you will need to select a support for your plant. This can be anything from a string or wire, to a trellis or fence. Once you have selected a support, you will need to tie the plant to the support using soft ties or strips of fabric. Be sure to leave some slack in the ties so that the plant can move as it grows.
Next, you will need to bend the main stem of the plant down so that it is lying horizontally along the support. You can do this by hand, or use a weight to hold the stem in place. Once the main stem is bent down, you will need to tie it in place. Again, be sure to leave some slack in the ties so that the plant can move as it grows.
Once the main stem has been bent down, you will need to training the lateral (side) branches to grow horizontally along the support
But can I top my Autoflowers?
If you are an experienced and brave grower, then yes. But there are some things to know and consider before attempting it.
Topping autoflowers means to remove the main cola from the plant in order to force it to produce more buds along its stems. This is usually done a few weeks into the flowering stage.
Some growers believe that topping autoflowers can increase yields, while others find that it doesn’t make much of a difference. It really depends on the individual plant and how it responds to topping.
If you do decide to top your autoflowers, make sure to do it early on in the flowering stage. This will give the plant more time to recover and produce more buds.
Topping autoflowers can be a bit tricky, so it’s important to know what you’re doing before you start.
Make sure to do your research about the strain and ask questions if you’re unsure about anything.
Have you ever topped an autoflower? Let us know in the comments below!