Purple Cake - 1st Grow

(1.23) Growing strong and bonsai looking good. Decided to tie down the two lowest stems in order to get them reaching out further towards the light. Also went ahead and defoliated a couple more larger fan leaves that were blocking light from lower growth. pH seems to be running a bit high this watering, but should be able to lower it no problem. Pics are from this morning and this afternoon before and after the defoliation and LST. Also a closer up picture of the main stalk to show how the bonsai and how thick she's getting. (1.26) Decided to take off some of the tie downs for pictures, and to let the branches grow free for a day or two. Trying a technique where I tie them down for a couple weeks, then take off the ties and let them grow free for a few days. My logic here is that the periods of short intermittent natural growth, followed by the tie downs for longer periods of time will sort of shock the plant over separate occasions - which hopefully will cause the stems to grow more rigid, stronger, and fatter. We shall see how it goes.