The Great "Evidence for Topping (or not)" Thread

[alkhall]

Never having (intentionally) topped a plant, is there a preferred growth stage or size that is recommended?
 
This year I only have two each of several varieties, and one each of several more. So, probably not able to participate.
 
However, if this could continue into next year, I could to do perhaps six of one variety, all seeds from the same pod, and top three while leaving the other three natural.

 

[solid7]

To be honest, we haven't laid out an exact method.
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I typically think of topping as removing the plant above the first "Y", once it forms.
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Makes me think that the topped section might also be a good candidate for cloning...
 

 

[Masher]

I put in 8 pepperoncini and 6 anteps.

I chopped off half of each and planted them side by side on dirt day.

I will be putting up results and pics as things progress.

 

[solid7]

Awesome, Masher.  Thank you for your contribution.

 

[solid7]

As an update, I've just (today) planted out 5 each of black pearl and Red Dominican Habanero.  Not an even split, I know, but it's what I had cups for.  LOL
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It's an afterthought, but just wanted to at least make a token participation this round. (plus I love black pearls pickled, and Red Dom Habs for everything)

 

[gmen16]

I know a lot of the people who advocate for topping comment on the initial burst of growth. Those opposed mention that a plant only has so much energy to give and topping isn't "creating" more energy for the plant.
Something to consider I think is the life of the plant for 2-3 years thereafter for the most accurate results. Every post for or against always seems to be a plant during the same season. I'll admit I could have just missed it. Honestly not commenting for either side just making an observation of something I think should be considered.

 

[AndyW]

I know a lot of the people who advocate for topping comment on the initial burst of growth. Those opposed mention that a plant only has so much energy to give and topping isn't "creating" more energy for the plant.
Something to consider I think is the life of the plant for 2-3 years thereafter for the most accurate results. Every post for or against always seems to be a plant during the same season. I'll admit I could have just missed it. Honestly not commenting for either side just making an observation of something I think should be considered.

I'm definitely no expert (this is my second year of growing and I didn't top last year), but I have a reaper right now untopped that I trimmed down and overwintered. It probably had two feet of straight stalk from roots to canopy with no side shoots until the top.
Fast forward to a few weeks after I put it out and I noticed a couple leaves poking out. Now it has two impressively thick side shoots forming their own shoots. I didn't put it out until last month and it was fairly heavily trimmed, so I expect it to bush out a good bit. Definitely has more potential than last year. I don't think it would've gotten as tall with topping.

Isn't there a video about an unpruned Dorset Naga that turned into basically a hedge because of year-round growing?

 

[The_NorthEast_ChileMan]

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I'm in. Found 6 Bonnie plants at Home Depot that were the same size & healthy looking. 3 topped/3 not topped.
 
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[solid7]

I'm in. Found 6 Bonnie plants at Home Depot that were the same size & healthy looking. 3 topped/3 not topped.

 
Awesome.  Good choice of plants, good sample size.

 

[The_NorthEast_ChileMan]

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Full glog posted.> NECM 2018 Topped & Not Topped Glog!

 

[solid7]

Nice job.  Will be watching that one with interest.  I've got 4 plants, also, that I thought I might do this with.  But as of this week, work might have something else to say about that.  Mine might have to wait until the fall, or next season.

 

[Bicycle808]

That's an awesome glog on topping vs not. This year, I planted out an entire bed with a single variety: Yella Scotch Bonnets. If I do the same kind of monocultural thing next year (whether it's Bonnets again or something else), I'd like to try the topped vs not topped thing....