simple question: unsure to do both topping and LST...

Hi there! Well it's all about the strain resistance to stress and you're skills to help them recover! I'd recommend topping at the 3st or 4th node, then do gentle LST manipulations to ensure the side stems are getting enough light and don't cannibalize the main cola. Hope this helps, I'll be around, keep us up-to-date and happy growing!

how much free time do you have? and what kind of lamp will it be? 30 W?

I prefer to both top and mild lst with autos. Timing is key to topping as it must be done early and often up until she starts to flower then I just lst the branch’s apart in order to make sure each gets plenty of light

You can top and LST without having much an affect as long as your growing environment is set up to optimum conditions. LST doesn’t slow plant growth. If your plant is already healthy before topping you have a better rate at quicker recovery too so bare that in mind. I wouldn’t top until at least week 3. Hope this helps

LST does not slow down the plant at all. As for TOP'ing do it above the 4th pair of leaves, cutting the 5th and you will be fine. Check my current diary, i'm doing both right now

I feel like topping autos is for experienced growes. I have seen pretty incredibly topped autos but generaly autos dont like to be “hurt” beacuse they have limited time. Simple LST will be effective enough to give you good yields.

Controverse is an understatement. It’s outright confusing. Personally, I’ve done pretty much everything to my autos in the past - topping, FIMing, LST, HST, etc... I’ve done both topping and LST with the same plant before and had good results. It’s fine to do both in my opinion. However there is a certain level of stress that comes along with any training techniques, which does seem to extend the time to harvest a little. If you are trying to harvest as quickly as possible I’d recommend no training at all. Also, I’ve become a bigger fan of FIM pinching over topping recently. It causes less stress on the plant while still producing more bud sites and encouraging the plant to grow outwards. Let me know if you have any other questions. And have fun!