@001100010010011110,
As for symmetrical growth, I think it's difficult to speak of it in weeks, because it would be somewhat different for regular photoperiods and Ruderalis-derived autos, and I guess original landrace genetics would influence that. On my auto I have noticed asymmetric growth on higher nodes in the middle of week 5, but judging by where on the stem it was, it probably started as early as week 4. But I get your point anyways.
As for splitting, that's an interesting theory! I imagine, then, that one could wait for a necessary number of developed nodes, and then take a sterile razor blade to the top two node branches and split them along the core, and then top the plant.. I think this concept is already used in mainlining (along with additional canopy management), but I might have confused techniques. If it works out, you get more leading colas out of the splits, if it doesn't you get to keep what you had below that node, and this essentially becomes an awful unsuccessful case of fimming.
Not that I would be comfortable cutting my plant with a razor blade, there's something repugnant in that. I didn't even feel comfortable fimming. because I didn't want the plant to suffer. But as a scientific experiment it would be extremely interesting. Maybe someone already tried that, I should google. And read more on trunk/branch splitting techniques in general.
Nice chat, thanks for sharing your experience! See you around
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