Topping vs Fimming: Cannabis Training Method Comparison

Growers have long employed various training techniques in agriculture to maximize growth and yield, with fimming and topping emerging as popular methods within the cannabis community. Topping encourages the development of two apical colas, while fimming promotes bushier plants with up to four new shoots. These techniques not only improve light exposure but also enhance the overall health of the plants, ultimately increasing yields.

Understand the Art of Topping

Topping is a high-stress training (HST) technique used in gardening that involves removing the apical growth, which is a plant's main growth point. This process redirects growth hormones to the lower nodes, promoting the development of two new shoots and ultimately improving the yield. Additionally, topping allows for better light penetration, enabling the lower leaves to photosynthesize more effectively. It also helps manage the plant's height and overall shape.

Example of a topped cannabis plant

How to Top Your Cannabis Plants

To help you successfully top your plants, we've created a detailed step-by-step guide for mastering this training technique. This approach maximizes your chances for a thriving garden. Start by sanitizing your pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol to prevent disease, and always wear gloves to protect your hands throughout your gardening tasks.

1. Sterilize Your Shears and Wait for The Right Time

To maintain the optimal health of your cannabis plants throughout the grow cycle, it's vital to sterilize your pruning shears thoroughly to prevent infections and the spread of pathogens.

Sterile Scissors

This can be done using isopropyl alcohol. For optimal results, topping should be performed approximately thirty days into the vegetative stage, once they have developed at least four to six healthy nodes, promoting robust growth and development.

2. Find the Sweet Spot and Make the Cut

Start by locating the topmost node of the cannabis plant and, using your trimming shears, cutting at a 45-degree angle about ½ inches above the node. This angle is crucial as it prevents water from pooling, aiding in quicker healing and minimizing exposure to pathogens. 

3. Monitor the Plant and Observe New Growth

After topping your cannabis plant, allow it some time to recover. This helps prevent shock and encourages healthy growth. Within a few days, you should notice new shoots emerging from the remaining nodes, indicating that the plant is responding positively. 

You can consider topping again once these new branches reach about 6-8 inches. This training technique, when repeated, encourages bushier growth and can significantly boost overall yields.

5 Expert Tips for Topping

We've gathered five expert tips for any budding growers that will help maximize your yield potential with this training technique. By following these suggestions, you'll set yourself up for a thriving garden as it transitions into the flowering stage and beyond.

1. Topping the cannabis plant at the wrong time (either too early or too late) can induce unnecessary stress. This stress negatively impacts flower development, ultimately reducing yields and compromising plant productivity.
2. Any time you cut a plant, there is a risk of infection. This is why using clean, sterilized tools when topping is crucial. Contamination from pathogens can lead to diseases that could harm the plant, especially in environments with high humidity.
3. While topping can be advantageous for those with limited space in their indoor growing area by restricting vertical growth to encourage lateral branching, it can also impact the plant's overall height, which might not be desirable for some growers.
4. Following topping, your cannabis plants need time to recuperate and redirect their energy toward new growth. During the vegetative stage, they are more resilient and capable of recovering from stress, typically within one to three weeks. 
5. When growing cannabis, it's crucial to research the specific strain you intend to cultivate. Choose a strain that responds well to topping, and at all costs, avoid using autoflowering strains.

By following these guidelines, growers can utilize topping effectively while minimizing risks and ensuring a successful recovery for their plants.

Understanding fimming

Fimming, or "FIM," is a plant training technique that stands for "Fuck, I Missed." This method involves pinching or cutting off the plant's top, which encourages enhanced branching and the development of multiple colas. Unlike topping, which typically results in two new stems, fimming can yield even greater results by promoting extensive foliage and more bud sites. This technique ultimately maximizes the plant's growth potential and enhances yields.

How to FIM Your Cannabis Plants

If you're eager to elevate your gardening game, fimming could become your new best friend. This technique not only promotes fuller, bushier plants but also enhances your overall yield. Grab your pruning shears, isopropyl alcohol for sanitation, gloves to protect your hands, and follow this step-by-step guide to cultivate robust, healthy cannabis plants at home.

1. Get Your Shears and Pick the Perfect Moment

Before you begin, have your sterile pruning shears ready. Like topping, fimming is most effective during the vegetative stage, particularly when your plant has developed at least 4-6 nodes. This method changes the plant's growth dynamics, encouraging it to produce multiple new shoots from the remaining nodes. It's crucial to time this intervention correctly, as it allows your plants to recover swiftly and promotes healthier, more vigorous growth.

2. Identify the Appropriate Node and Make the Cut

Start by identifying the apical node and gently pinch the top 80% of the cluster of new leaves using your index finger and thumb while leaving the bottom 20% intact. Think of the process as more like trimming the plant than outright topping it. If you're uncertain, using a sterilized shear is a good option. By intentionally making an imperfect cut at the apical node, you encourage the plant to redirect its energy and develop multiple new stems.

3. Be Patient and Allow for Recovery

While immediate growth might not be apparent, you can expect new shoots to emerge from the remaining nodes within 48 to 96 hours. As these branches begin to develop and take shape, you may want to apply the same technique to other sections of the cannabis plant, enhancing overall growth and vitality. Furthermore, combining low-stress training (LST) can help increase your yield, maximizing the potential of your plants.

By following these steps, you can successfully FIM your cannabis plants, allowing for a fuller and more productive garden.

Expert Tips for Fimming

Here are five expert tips you can use to successfully FIM your plants and enhance their overall growth potential.

1. The best time for fimming is during the early to mid-vegetative stage. This timing promotes effective recovery and growth after the cut. Look for plants with at least 4-6 nodes to ensure they are strong enough to handle the stress.
2. After FIMing, it's common for your plant to look unusual. Don't worry; this is a normal part of the process. The new top growth may seem strange as it develops, but with patience, you'll soon see healthier growth emerging; just give it some time.
3. As your plants recover, consider light pruning to improve airflow in both the lower and upper canopies, as this practice can promote healthy bud development. Additionally, consider implementing a light feeding regimen to increase recovery time.
4. Different cannabis strains exhibit unique responses to fimming techniques, so it helps to research the specific strain you're working with to understand its growth characteristics and maximize the effectiveness of this training technique. 
5. When considering fimming, selecting the right strain is vital! Choose a resilient and robust strain that thrives in harsh conditions. Similar to topping, it's best to avoid autoflowering strains because their short vegetation period prevents recovery time.

Fimming vs Topping: A Comparison

Fimming is a slightly more subtle technique than traditional topping, and is favored by growers for promoting lateral branching in cannabis plants. This method is particularly effective for sativa-dominant hybrids, such as Gazzurple and Humboldt Sour Diesel, which tend to exhibit significant vertical growth during the initial weeks of flowering. However, it is essential to note that fimming may produce less consistent results than topping your plants.

For indoor growers who are concerned about plant height, topping is a highly effective technique. Removing the top of the plant enhances light exposure to lower branches and encourages vigorous growth, leading to the formation of two dominant colas. This practice not only improves the overall health of the plant but also maximizes yields, making it essential for anyone aiming to increase productivity throughout the growing season.

What Training Technique is Best for You?

When it comes to managing the most suitable training techniques for your weed plants, the question isn't just what works best; it's about what resonates with you. The methods you choose will be influenced by your personal experiences, available space, and the cannabis strain you're cultivating. Don't hesitate to experiment with various training techniques to discover your ideal approach to home-growing and maximize your cannabis plants' potential.

We'd love to hear your experiences with Topping and FIMming! Share your tips and stories in the comments below, and don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more expert cannabis cultivation advice and inspiration.

Photos courtesy of Kandid Kush Photography