Medicinal Plants Pruning: Topping Vs Fimming
If you want to get a crop of very dense, resin-filled buds, the type of pruning you do plays a very important role. The two best-known types of medicinal plants pruning are apical pruning, known as TOPPING, and fim pruning, known as FIMMING.
What Is Topping?
Topping is a technique used by medicinal plants growers during the vegetative cycle, during which time you cut off the top part of a plant to stop vertical growth in order to instead promote lateral growth toward the bottom branches of a plant. It may sound absurd to cut off and dispose of part of your medicinal plant, yet this is an essential step to ensure your plants are healthy and provide a quality yield. Think of it as a short-term loss for a long-term gain – and it truly is a gain. After topping, growth hormones are evenly distributed toward the lower end of the plant, allowing these smaller side branches to grow out and form large, dense buds.
HOW TO TOP medicinal plants
Topping is best applied with a single, clean cut to the tip of the main stem with sterile scissors. Remove 100% of the tip from the main stem and one cola will become two. Best of all, the process can be repeated again and again to double-down on the number of top colas.
All seasoned medicinal plants growers will agree that topping is a technique for the vegetative growth phase. Exactly the right moment is a matter of debate. Most growers these days will top early, typically when the plant has just 3-5 nodes. On the other hand, old-school growers are usually a little more patient, waiting about 30 days or until plants are at least 30cm in height before topping.
As topping is a HST method, plants will need some time to recover. Allow 1-2 weeks before applying further pruning and training techniques.
What Is Fimming?
Fimming is a technique used by medicinal plants growers to dramatically increase the yield of their plant while also making the plant more manageable. It’s usually done by growers with limited space. As no two FIMs are the same, it’s important not to expect the same result every single time. Commonly referred to as ‘FIM’, the act of cutting a young medicinal plants in a certain way is historically known as an acronym for “F**k! I missed”. The key difference between topping and FIMming is the location at which the medicinal plants is cut. With FIMming, you remove any new growth while avoiding any cuts between the nodes, whereas with topping, you cut off the top of the plant altogether.
HOW TO FIM medicinal plants
Just like with topping, the FIM technique is best applied during the vegetative growth stage. But unlike topping, this method favours a less precise approach. FIM does stand for “Fuck I Missed” after all. Pinching off 75% of the tip from the main stem between fingers is preferred to a neat scissor-cut to the whole tip.
It ain’t pretty, but it works. At least 4 new shoots will emerge in a week or two. Sometimes as many as 8. Moreover, secondary shoots will catch up growing in the meantime. Apart from a few disfigured fan leaves, the FIM method is not all that different from topping. 1-2 weeks recovery time post-FIM is standard.
LIMITATIONS OF TOPPING AND FIMMING
Topping and fimming will prolong the amount of time medicinal plants will need to spend in the 18/6 vegetative growth stage. Expect a 4-6 week vegetative growth phase if you plan on applying these techniques.
Another oft-overlooked and obvious problem with encouraging the formation of multiple fat colas is that medicinal plants tend to become really top heavy. In the absence of a ScrOG, plants may require staking with bamboo for support.
The Best Pruning Tools for medicinal plants
You don’t need much in terms of equipment for topping and fimming. For fimming, you simply need your fingertips but for topping it is a good idea to get a pair of good quality pruning tools so that you can be assured of a quick, clean snip to your precious plants. Here we review some of the best.
- REDUCE HAND STRAIN: These micro tip snips are built spring-loaded so that they automatically push themselves open without you having to do the work which greatly reduces hand fatigue making these snips great for those with arthritis, carpal tunnel, hand or wrist issues. Comfort Grip handles will make it easy to work for long periods of time without discomfort.
- ULTRA SHARP BLADES: These quality snips come with stainless steel precision-sharpened blades and are ready to tackle all of your deadheading, trimming, and shaping needs for your roses, annuals, vegetable and small flower gardens.
- SECURE, EASY TO OPERATE LOCK: These micro tip snips feature a safe and secure sideways locking mechanism that keeps your blades protected and closed when not in use. The design of these pruning snips are perfect to use whether you are right or left handed with ease.
- MAKE PRECISE CUTS: With these micro tip snips, you can easily get between plants to "clip and snip" only the area or part that you want to cut with one-hand and without damaging the other vital stems and branches of your other plants.
- EDUCE HAND STRESS: We know that pruning for long periods of time can take its toll on your hands. These scissors were made to eliminate the day to day stress that comes from long time pruning with our soft grip handles, sharp stainless steel blades and springless design to allow free movement.
- PROFESSIONAL DESIGN: Not only is our pruners are durable and lightweight they are made with high quality extra sharp stainless steel blades and an ergonomic soft touch handle for long term comfort.
- PERFECT FOR ALL TYPES OF GARDENING: These extra durable pruning shears are a must have for hobby or commercial growers who care about the quality of their product and prefer to hand trim their plants. Wheather your pruning stems, roots or trimming flowers we are confident that these scissors will get the job done.
- A MORE PRECISE CUT: Whether you are pruning your standard stems and flowers with our 60MM blade or need the perfect angle to reach those hard to reach areas with the 40mm blade, we got you covered.
ECO Farm Bypass Pruning Shears
- MODERN DESIGN. Pruning is fun with these beautiful, ergonomic and durable garden scissors. Use this tool on shrubs, grapes, plants & flowers - without fatigue! A garden tool you will enjoy for years to come. Ideal for SMALL-MEDIUM SIZED HANDS.
- SHARP BYPASS BLADE. Features carbon stainless steel chrome plated blades and aluminum handles. Makes razor sharp clean 3/4" cuts, without effort!
- SHOCK ABSORBING SPRING. The embedded spring brings a comfortable bounce to your cutting action, so you can work without fatigue.
- COMFORT GRIP HANDLES. The handles of this pruner have a soft grip handle cover for increased comfort and optimum performance. At the end of the upper handle, there is an open/close clip which allows for easy and safe storage.
