Stickanswered grow question 6 years ago Hi there! Well every situation is different, depending on the strain, the growth speed, the space you have in your grow room. Topping may result in a week of recovering, so you'll slow down the growth in order to get twice the number of colas. Fimming + pinching + ponytailing could be less stressful for your babies, but you can also let the plant live its life and build its natural shape, this will result in a quicker harvest. I'd recommend to make your own experience on these techniques, try a new one everytime you drop a new seed. From my last results, topped plants gave me more final dry weight than bending/LSTing.. But once again, every strain/environment is different.
I'll be around, good luck with your 1st session!