The Magic of Topping: Logging My Eight-Cola Grow in a Cannabis Grow Journal

There’s something incredibly rewarding about watching your cannabis plants thrive under your care. When everything aligns—timing, training, and attention—it feels like your plants are thanking you for showing up. I’m seeing that in real time in my current grow, and I’ve been logging every step in my cannabis grow journal using the PLnTrk weed growing app.

🌿 The Power of Topping: 8 Main Colas, Here We Come

I decided to go for three rounds of topping to shape each plant into producing eight main colas. If you’re new to the technique, topping is the process of snipping off the plant’s main shoot to encourage branching. Rather than growing one dominant cola, the plant redistributes energy into side branches—creating multiple colas and boosting overall bud production potential.

It takes a bit of patience (and trust!) to commit to each cut, but the result has been totally worth it. Every new top I made was tracked in my cannabis grow journal, so I can look back later and evaluate how topping impacted structure, growth rate, and yield.

If you’re curious about how I’ve been tracking this grow, check out this public plant profile example to see exactly how I log topping sessions, branch structure, and notes over time.

☀️ Training for Even Canopy and Maximum Light

Topping alone isn’t enough—you’ve also got to guide the plant's shape. After each topping, I began low-stress training (LST) to open up the middle and maintain an even canopy. This allows light and airflow to reach all bud sites, not just the tallest tops.

Even canopy = even development. Each cola gets consistent exposure, which means better bud formation across the board. I’ve logged every bend and repositioning in my weed growing app so I can track what works and when to apply these changes in future grows.

📓 Why I Track These Techniques in a Cannabis Grow Journal

Techniques like topping and training are powerful—but only if you can measure their results. That’s why I log every change I make in PLNTRK, my go-to cannabis grow journal. Every topping session, watering, nutrient dose, and even photos are saved under each plant’s profile. That way, I can compare outcomes and refine my grow season after season.

Whether you're just experimenting or aiming for your personal best harvest yet, a weed growing app helps you dial in what actually works. Topping, defoliation, training—it all becomes easier to track, learn from, and improve.

🌱 Final Thoughts

I’ve got a strong feeling about this grow. With three rounds of topping, well-managed light exposure, and a tight logging routine in my cannabis grow journal, I’m confident these plants are headed for something special. Can’t wait to see how they finish — and I’ll be logging every step of the way.

Start tracking your own plant training techniques with PLnTrk — the weed growing app built for real results. Grow smarter. Log everything. Learn more each time.

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