Carolina Reaper - Topped (pic)

Rattlesnake Blues

Rattlesnake Blues

Hey All !
 
Just took a quick photo of my topped Carolina Reaper. I topped it when it was around 14" tall - I took a gamble because I had another growing. I will take a photo tomorrow of the "untouched" Reaper. So far, the topped Reaper is much more robust, sporting several shoots. The Reaper that I left alone has a "Y" about 12" up, and looks really skimpy compared to this guy. I'm looking forward to seeing how this one grows and whether it out-produces the "untouched" one.
353cins.jpg

 
JB
 
meinchoh said:
Once topped, how soon did you notice new shoots growing?
Click to expand...
there is a stick about toping / pruning, yes the topping means that the nodes you already have, have a much higher chance of producing branches instead of just leaves.
 
Since I have numerous plants with pretty heavy growth below the "Y", will topping accelerate that existing growth?
 
It all depends on your growing season and your varieties.  I've done my own comparison and the topped ones produce less overall weight and fewer pods than the non topppped plants.  For me the non toppped plants send secondary shoots up after a few weeks that actually out grow the main stem.  Many variables for all of us to consider.
 
My topped plants for two years got out produced by my non topped plants. WIll never top again, all the extra effort for no gain imo.
 
I've got a Butch T that I topped as well, and it's out-growing the non-topped one by a long shot. Last year I did the same thing, and the "topped" plants exceeded those that were untouched (size and pod production). I don't think there is a right way or wrong way...just different methods for different people. The growing season here (Florida) is longer than in many areas, so I top some because I have time to let it play out.
 
JB
 
Some ppl top/prune way too late or too extreme and lose a lot of leaves, it should be done early to be effective.
 
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