Hi
@Balagato! You will be able to see pre-flowers about 10~12 days before the real flowering stage. Topping autoflowering strains is a controversial topic, if you're not used to this I would recommend to let the plant grow with its natural shape. As you mentionned, a topping surgery will involve a few days of recovery, and with autoflowers you don't want to slow down the plant, which has a limited lifetime. That being said, I've had great results when topping some autos, I usually do this with the most beautiful / strongest / fastest plants, and I cut above the 3rd or 4th node, because I know their genetics will handle the recovery. However I don't do it with all plants, most of the autos I grew went through LST rather than TOPping/FIMming. It's up to you! Whatever you decide, please let us know how this goes! Happy growing 👊