@tangie, the mutilated bit can actually turn into more then 2 branches + the two axilary buds just below that "FIM" are already formed and will pop out at nearly the same point on the stem. The damaged bits might only pop 1 if damaged the "wrong way" - whatever that entails. The leaves usually grow out with a missing chunk. if the scissors are fine enough, you could maybe avoid that? Like i said, if you want to do it, it's going to take time to find some minimum consistency with it (may or may not be truly consistent). wouldn't say it is impossible, but 100% consistency is highly unlikely.
i could only guess as to actual cause and effect of how it happens. just damaged in a way that somehow splits the plant material that is growing into the original 2 new axillary buds (assumes symmetrical growth), and once split 'enough' each heals and tries to continue to grow out as individual branches, which may be more than the original 2, or not. Plant cells are compartmentalized and just "do" what they are programed to do. if the environment splits the material somehow, each tries to accomplish the original task.
the symmetrical growth (pairs of axillary buds forming at each growth node) ends once a plant is more mature.. 6-8 weeks? it varies as far as when you see asymmetrical growth - 1 branch (axilary bud) per new node. and yea, 1 leaf per node too at that point.
clones usually have asymmetrical growth due to their age.
like 1