Autos on the Clock: The Truth About Training vs. Topping
Autoflower cannabis plants are like sprinters — fast out of the gate, racing to the finish line, and not exactly forgiving if you trip them up mid-race. Unlike their photoperiod cousins, autos don’t wait for you to decide when they flower. Once the countdown begins, the clock is ticking. That’s where the big debate comes in: Should you top an autoflower, or is low-stress training (LST) the real winner?
Let’s break it down (with a little humor, because plants deserve personality too).
Why Time Isn’t on Your Side with Autos
Photoperiod plants are marathoners — you can top them, let them recover, and they’ll happily bulk up before you flip the lights. Autos? Nope. They’re on a fixed schedule, usually 8–12 weeks, and every recovery day after topping is a day they could’ve been stacking buds.
Think of it this way: topping an auto is like sending a runner into a sprint… then asking them to stop and tie their shoes halfway through. Sure, they’ll finish, but probably not with a personal best.
The Case Against Topping Autoflowers
Topping is great for photoperiods because it creates multiple colas, distributes growth, and boosts yields. But autos simply don’t have the luxury of downtime. When you top them:
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Growth stalls: The plant shifts energy to heal instead of stacking flowers.
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Yield drops: Less time = less bud bulk.
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Stress increases: Autos don’t forgive high-stress training the way photos do.
In short? Topping autos is like cutting off your Wi-Fi right before a binge-watch marathon. Technically, you’ll survive, but you won’t be happy about it.
LST: The Gentle (and Smarter) Approach
If topping is like a bad haircut, low-stress training is more like a gentle yoga session. Instead of cutting, you bend. You guide your autoflower’s branches outward and down, letting more light hit lower bud sites and creating an even canopy.
Why LST works better:
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No recovery downtime — plants keep growing while you train.
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More bud exposure — bending opens up the plant to light and airflow.
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Bigger, even colas — instead of one dominant top, you get multiple fat ones.
It’s the cannabis equivalent of teaching your plant to “spread out and chill” instead of forcing it through boot camp.
Training vs. Topping: A (Totally Accurate) Analogy
Imagine you’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
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Photoperiod plant: You’ve got all night. Go back, fill your plate, rest, then eat some more. Topping here makes sense — there’s time to recover before dessert.
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Autoflower plant: The buffet closes in 20 minutes. If you stop to rearrange your plate, you’re leaving food behind. Better to keep eating (training) than waste time stopping (topping).
Moral of the story? Bend it, don’t end it.
Best Practices for LST on Autos
If you’re ready to give your autos the spa treatment instead of the stress test, here are some tips:
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Start early: Begin bending when the plant has 3–4 nodes. Younger plants adapt more easily.
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Go slow: Bend branches gradually — think “easy stretch,” not “karate chop.”
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Tie gently: Use plant ties, garden wire, or even pipe cleaners to hold branches in place.
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Adjust often: As the plant grows, keep re-bending to maintain an even canopy.
Done right, your auto will spread like a starfish under the grow light, soaking in every photon and turning it into chunky colas.
So remember: autos are on the clock. Don’t cut them short — bend them to victory.
👉 We’re just a crew of homegrow enthusiasts who love swapping tips, laughing at our mistakes, and celebrating the wins that smell a little skunky. Whether you’re bending your first autoflower or filling a tent with colas, we’re here to make growing weed at home easier — and a lot more fun. Check out our website for other easy-to-follow tips on growing great weed right at home.
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