Topping and pruning are two methods outdoor  growers use to alter the growth pattern of cannabis.

Pruning Cannabis — is the removal of unwanted, often dying foliage. Pruning away old yellowing leaves helps to invigorate the health of the plant. Done right, it allows light to penetrate evenly throughout the crop. Some growers believe that trimming cannabis concentrates growth into certain favored areas of the plant. Others feel it allows the plant to branch out and spread, creating more of the desired buds. Pruning is done in some cases to prevent disease. Any trimming of foliage or branches will temporarily slow growth for a few days while the plant recovers. Use sharp tools to prevent injury to the overall plant. Never overprune because the plant needs leaves for energy. Hard-pruning can lead to plant shock and to all kinds of other problems such as stunted growth or death.

Topping Weed — Amongst growers, topping a plant is controversial and refers to cutting off the top shoot(s) of cannabis plants. You can take-off the tallest branches or the freshest shoots. Cut the branch stem just below a fully developed node of choice. The plant starts developing at the remaining nodes. This is a good technique to keep a plant short and bushy, which always starts the debate over whether more is better or a single concentrated bud is best.

I’m of the ‘more is better’ school of growers. Remember, bushy plants require more direct light to flourish. Don’t top a plant more than once and never top when it is in the flowering stage.