I always end up skimming the lower popcorn buds. I always feel guilty. I am curious what the safest method is for sampling in the 4,5, and 6th week? I am also curious how you make it into the 9th week while taking all those samples, hahahaha. I always end up cutting something down at 7 weeks cause I am more then ready and have been depending on them for almost a month. Last time I just figured the weakest plant would be my sampler.