Topping-light cycle-defoliation-cloning

[Greenhell]

So I have 2 grows going on, my autos and because I’ve never tried, a single photo period grow, in separate tents, the photo is Alaskan ThunderFuck, just a few questions:
(1) I’ve already topped this babies main middle cola, however, it’s been told to me to top other areas on the plant, when is topping too much? I have a possible 4 other main stems I could top right now, question is should I?

2) While I’m still early in veg. I’m on a 18/6 (was told to switch into a 12/12 when I see the first signs of flowering) or should I begin phasing it into a 12/12 cycle now?

3) The fan leafs on this girl are huge, like elephant ears, is it too soon to defoliate? this is kind of a 2 part question, I’m planning on cloning and eventually replacing my downstairs auto grow with these clones, if I defoliate should I use the cut offs to begin cloning?

Thanks for any input Growmies

[MidwestGuy]

@Greenhell

(1)

I’ve topped secondary shoots before and it worked out fine.

@Greenhell

was told to switch into a 12/12

Is it an auto? I’m not sure why you would do that if so. More hours of light = a higher value for DLI, and more DLI is a good thing.

@Greenhell

defoliate should I use the cut offs to begin cloning?

Defoliating is often only leaves. Take a few stems if you want clones. Defoliate as necessary to maintain good airflow within the canopy.

[Greenhell]

No this is my first photo so with all the information on the internet I wanted to get everyone’s take, so, good to do multiple toppings, just don’t go crazy, and I can begin trying to clone (I have rooting gel to begin)

Guess I start today with this.

[MidwestGuy]

@Greenhell

No this is my first photo

If it is a photoperiod plant you won’t see pistils until a week to 10 days after you have flipped the light to 12/12.

[Greenhell]

Well, I just went forward and topped 4 locations

This will be the last on this plant, after the cannabis expo today I will begin defoliating and planting the clones into some Pete pots.
Also, I should not clone once the plant goes into early flowering?

[Medicineman33]

You can take clones from flowering plants but they will grow differently the branching will be long and viney and definitely need to be tied up to support any weight

[TLC]

I always wondered about topping branches be interesting to see what happens.

[Medicineman33]

The same thing as main stalk. They dont reach the height of the main though. What i like to do is top and then fim the main stalk and either top or fim the branches, this will give you more bud sites and help to even out height of the canopy with alot less training

[VirginiaGrowBoy]

I think you can top photos all you want. Just remember the explosive growth once you let them go to 12/12. The can get BIG!

Here’s a 16X topped one from a few weeks ago. Sprouting 32 total colas.

[Greenhell]

I’m gonna begin LST on her this weekend, not as elaborate as my auto grow, least not yet, I have 36”x 36” trellis waiting also, big plans for this one lol.