Mephisto Genetics Need recommendations for manipulating Forgotten Strawberries

[lunarman]

i have two of them going. 22 days now. Both similar structure wise.

They are very short and tight inter nodes. And the branches are short so the don't bend easily. They will break just looking at them, they are that inflexible.

As you can see in the first picture there are big fan leaves across the top of the plant. And underneath them is a bunch of growth that is not getting any light as seen in the second picture. Lighting isnt great in the second pic but I think you can see what I mean. And that growth has bud sites. But its all underdeveloped because of the big fan leaves on top. I assume that I should do something about it.

What would you suggest I do? Trim the top leaves off seems like the best idea to me or maybe thats the worst idea. I did some ponytail yesterday but its impossible to get the leaf stems to flex enough to grab them and lift them up in a tail. So I did some sideways ponytails if you will but I'm not 100% happy with that option. Or do I do nothing as ts well known that this type of plant structure will be fine in the end?

 

[Mizzo81]

I just pop some of the big upper leaves off that r blocking light to the lowers this will help a lot I had to do it a couple times with my white crack and it. Was worth it.

 

[Trichome farmer]

theres a few things you could like mizzo says you can pop a cople of fans of or start to lst it by pulling the top over and letting the light to the lowers its also genetic i havnt seen to many strawberrys get that big more of a short chunky plant with fat buds

 

[Slater]

i have two of them going. 22 days now. Both similar structure wise.

They are very short and tight inter nodes. And the branches are short so the don't bend easily. They will break just looking at them, they are that inflexible.

As you can see in the first picture there are big fan leaves across the top of the plant. And underneath them is a bunch of growth that is not getting any light as seen in the second picture. Lighting isnt great in the second pic but I think you can see what I mean. And that growth has bud sites. But its all underdeveloped because of the big fan leaves on top. I assume that I should do something about it.

What would you suggest I do? Trim the top leaves off seems like the best idea to me or maybe thats the worst idea. I did some ponytail yesterday but its impossible to get the leaf stems to flex enough to grab them and lift them up in a tail. So I did some sideways ponytails if you will but I'm not 100% happy with that option. Or do I do nothing as ts well known that this type of plant structure will be fine in the end?

View attachment 979070
View attachment 979071

sounds like it could be genetics... Like what @stoney T and @Mizzo81 has said I would take those 2 to 4 top fan leaves away getting that light down in the center of the plant. At day 22 your not for off the stretch best do it now so it has a few day to recover (chances are it won't even miss a beat)... I wouldn't LST just in-case you break the stem, they are a little bit squat.

 

[lunarman]

@Mizzo81 @Slater @stoney T

You are all consistent with the recommendation to prune top fans. So that is what I'll do.

 

[KnocktDown]

I topped mine early- solo cup vs larger pot- it got thru the topping easily, just sort of stunted afterward- so she maybe stress sensitive... She's done, like now- at least her main is 20%+ amber, sides are opaque & shes not very different looking(except I trimmed 1 side lol)

I'd either off 1 or 2 fans & try to spin her a bit daily, or try a mild bend LST- a very light angle bend- think tall thin tree in high winds- make an "I into Y" to either side, and gently increase bend every 2 days?

https://www.autoflower.org/threads/9-illuminautos-4-freebies-13-solo-cups.67971/page-4
Post 38

 

[lunarman]

I topped mine early- solo cup vs larger pot- it got thru the topping easily, just sort of stunted afterward- so she maybe stress sensitive... She's done, like now- at least her main is 20%+ amber, sides are opaque & shes not very different looking(except I trimmed 1 side lol)

I'd either off 1 or 2 fans & try to spin her a bit daily, or try a mild bend LST- a very light angle bend- think tall thin tree in high winds- make an "I into Y" to either side, and gently increase bend every 2 days?

https://www.autoflower.org/threads/9-illuminautos-4-freebies-13-solo-cups.67971/page-4
Post 38

Man if I topped my FS's there would be nothing left!!! Just kidding.

 

[Mizzo81]

As she grows u may have to take more off. SN grows some huge thick leaves that just have to get pulled even when u tuck them they’re so big they still block light. 2-4 like slater said for now.

 

[KnocktDown]

LOL, I tend to top seedlings, its not really a great idea- but sometimes it pays well, others a total loss, most are in between & get some buds at least.
Few pics of cdlc- I popped 2 seeds next to each other, both germ'd, and I LST'd seedlings 180 from each other, but this gal just ran the other down & been velcro-ing branches & limbs for lighting- she'll be odd looking when she finishes, but ya know, why the hell not play around with the plants.... I like the fabric smart pots cuz velcro makes LST & branch manipulation kinda easy- adjustable- and its cheap- like $3 for the roll- and re-usable...

 

[Zipz55]

i have a Jammy Dodgers thats similar.Short with nodes really close together

i topped it at the 4th node and cut off some fan leave

for now im doing some leaf tucking but I'll open her up more once the branches stretch a little