Make sure and clean your scissors well and use dull ones. I like this guy’s explanation you can see the FIM cut very clearly and that the scissors are clean, and cuts dull, and he opens the FIM cut up spreading it. Great Tutorial. but there are tons on Youtube. Can’t wait to see the results. Whichever cut you choose. Good Luck bro. 
I haven’t experienced much different levels in stress versus FIM’ing and Topping. I haven’t done a ton. FIM’ing works for me cuz I like that bush explosion 
I would start by asking, why are you topping it? I see a stout plant with minimal node spacing that is already forming lower branches at the nodes. That’s the type of plant I’d probably leave alone and watch her grow.
Now I just topped two of my youngins because they were tall and skinny and didn’t have anything going on as far as lower branching. So I topped them to stall the vertical push and get some branching happening.
I concur. This short, squat, little plant is growing nicely. I would let it grow until I could take a couple clones.
no problem; it’s recommended topping at 3rd set of node (true leaves) - the earliest - the the 5th node because of light pentration
If you feel the need, you can either fim or take that top as a clone. I would take the clone, personally. If the plant were stretchy I would be all for topping early but this plant is so short and dense it really doesn’t need it IMO
Im going to reply as whole to every one Thank you very much for the info, I see valid points in all of the replies here… She is very very beautiful and short with fantastic symmetry… shes a beauty…
Now… I am in a 4ft tent
( 2x2 )
so its a good thing she is short. I just wanted some growth spurting out in different directions ( even though this hurts my OCD )
I think I may FIM the very small top and see where it takes me…
I totally understand everyones input here so thank you again… from a Newbie to the Og’s!!
Il keep you updated.
Good luck with your first topping. May your results Be Kind!!!
Just to add…
I was under the impression in my 2x2 4ft tent that if i top I could expect more light penetration below and also create bigger better yields with stem multiplication ( so i wasn’t really doing the top because of height problems )
So would you say that i should not top this early because she is still too short? or would you wait another week or so then consider topping if i want to shape a bigger more fruitful canopy?
Thank you
BM
Now hearing the plan and setup I’d say go ahead and top. Transfer all that energy more evenly throughout the plant. Let the lowers grow like 6-8 inches naturally then super crop everything out like spokes. Then little here little there to form your canopy. That’s what I’d do anyway.
What strain is it your growing?
I’d pinch the tiny little grow tip and leave the two fan leaves next to it. Ideally you’ll see some side growth within a few days or a week, and if the center pinched bit it still outgrowing them you can pinch it again.
I either like topping at the second or third node. With 4 tops from second node topping you get a nice big bushy plant. With 6 tops from third node topping you have a nice tall plant. I run these in 5 gallons…any more topping and it’s become too much imo.
I made my decision everyone!..
here it is my first ever topping on my very first plant… the gap it opened up for light to reach the new growth was amazing!! roll on recovery mode!
heres some pics…
That’s exciting man!! I’m excited to see your plants growth. Peace.
Legend thank you mate, youve been a great help!
anytime brother.
How many nodes did you leave on the plant?
4 nodes but all good and healthy some even have good growth already and will get all the extra light now
Ive got to be honest after looking how wonderful it was growing, in another world I may have set up a time lapse and just watched this beauty all the way through… but i have different goals… I want a nice even canopy and a bigger wider bush to push into flower later instead of a beautiful cone which i also love too but yeah… im just putting myself in the deepend from the get go!
