Those stems are because of the autopots I am using. They have air pumps in the root zone and continual feeding 24/7 so the plants gey very large and are only limited by their genetics.
My plants are est. to get 3 feet tall genetically.
As for topping, I posted some links. My plants were both topped only once and by topped I mean I pinched off part of the main stem when they were young. Only once, I did not top other shoots.