Is this the beginning of flowering?

Flowering in autos is age related and not caused by LST or by removing a couple of leaves. Your plant is just showing its sex at this stage, but flowering will start properly in another 10-14 days approx. Autos are uncontrollable when it comes to their flowering habits and if you would prefer to be able to grow plants that you can decide when they flower and only start flowering when they are of a size that you are happy with, photoperiod fems are the better choice.

Though are pistils and the beginning of flowering. Your LST and HST you used on the plant might have triggered it. They are special little ones that get flustered easily and can enter early bloom from said stressors. Best to only do mild LST and no HST on your new auto. Or just grow photoperiods indoors. autos are great for outdoors. Good Luck!

Hey, no topping and removing leaves usually does the opposite and lengthens the vegetative state. According to the breeders those strains should be ready in 9-10 weeks so if it is true they have to flower really early on otherwise they will take longer as flowering always takes 7-8 weeks minimum, however they will stretch a lot but don't expect any monster plant maybe if your lucky 😅