Topping/Fimming is usually done around the 4th node I believe at least 1 week before inducing flower.. I am sure there are many ways I encourage a search of this topic if you plan to do this Google: site:rollitup.org fimming or topping. But taking cuttings isn't either of these it is said to be fine to take cuttings up to 2 or even somtimes 3 weeks into flower but I believe really if the top gets hairs or worse start to create a bud it ruins that plant for a single headed plant from my experience. Just two days ago I decided my Green Crack had entirely too much lower growth, so I hacked some off that was day 12 I believe. On day 13 it showed white hairs everywhere anyway!, but generally cutting a plant is shock from the gate but MJ doesn't shock too much over this at all, if ever maybe a day. I am actually betting I can get clones off my Purple Extreme before she shows hairs, so I need a large enough shoot to take a cutting. The shoots come off the main stem, if you tilt your head you will see if you cut it off it in and of itself is a little plant.
Typically I see hairs near the top nodes but not at the top on the main stem first. Different strains show at different times here's what I saw this time I flipped on 05-31-10
Showed in # days
Blueberry 5 (This plant is such a little cry baby, like a friend of mine said show it the nutrient bottle and it burns)
Strawberry Cough 9
Green Crack 13
