I bend my plants over. Im in an unfriendly state, and plant counts can matter. So I grow LESS, but large plants, in large containers. 20 gallons Promix BX per plant, and 1-2 plants under a 1000w-1150w-DE HID.
Say Im growing from seed, which most probably do. One may have to start bending the plant early on, depending on the strain. Some strains develop STIFF Stems, and are all but impossible to bend, so they have to be started early on, before the stem, has become stiff, and will Snap, like a pencil.
And, unless Im trying to slow what now will be Horizontal Growth vs not bending the plant over, and getting Vertical Growth. growth down, I dont mess with the growing tip. Also, all side branches are trained to grow Vertically. One may have to physically bring the first sets of branches around the main stalk, but after the plant adapts, all secondary branches, will grow towards the light, in the correct manner/orientation. I bend the plant, from about 20% down and train it to grow like a vine, and one will have to keep manipulating it, for a good while, but will eventually not need to be messed with.
I also keep a breeze on them 24/7, to strengthen the stalks.
I also start my seedkling in hwat many may consider overkill, but, I dont. I figure if I lived at the Equator, and 3000 meters, my plants would get blased with both hardcore intense sun, and also extremely high UVA/B levels.
I start all me seeds under a 1000w Hortilux HPS, a 1000w Hortilux Blue, or an 1150w Gavita DE HPS. The 1000w HPS is at 24 inches. Hortilux Blue is at 20 Inches. And the 1150w Gavita is at 42 inches, and as soon as they grow to within 36 inches, I raise them back to 42 inches. I dont think Ive seen the strain that can survive the IR of an 1150w DE Gavita, closer than 36 inches. If temps are right, I can get plants as close as 12 inches of the 1000w HPS and Blue. And that, is some powerful umol, regardless of source. A 1000w HID, is blinding at 12-18 inches.
But, Ive started seeds with a 1000w HID, since they came out with HID for sale, in 77-78. Thats what we had, and what we used, and I will continue to do so. Unless they show stress, Ill never be convinced 1000w HID, is to much light for seeds. The sun, is more powerful than any grow light, and Ive never had a problem, in 47 years.
I usually start seeds in either 18oz SOLO Cups, but really like the 32oz ULINE Deli Containers, though I put aluminum foil around them, as they are clear. And at 32oz, it gives them a heck of a root-ball. I grow them in the Deli containers, until sexed, and then transplant into 5 gallon grow bags.Depending on the strain, they will be vegged up to 60 days, under the same lights, usually 24/7, but sometimes 20/4. And even at 24/7, I turn the lights out 4 hours every 3 days, just to rest ballasts. And Dark, most likely has benefits.
I use Promix BX as my medium.
After Veg, I use 20 Gallon Plastic Totes. I set the plant down in the container, and medium, and cut the bag off of the plant, so there is virtually No Stress to the plant. A make sure the plant is happy in its place, and veg it another 3-7 days. enough to see that its using water, and noticeable growth, and then I will flip it. We have a couple strains that will completely fil the 20 gallons with roots when done.
If its an Indica, that doesnt stretch, Imay/probably wont bend around on it, as Ive found many Indica/Hashplant types, dont like to be messed with, and will shock them. They also wont go in big containers, as unless vegged super long, they will never fill the 20 gallons of soil. They usually wont get more than 5-10 gallons of soil. But, I mainly look for strains that stretch like crazy, and have strong side branching. We have an old 2010 Barneys Farm G13 x Haze, that stretches 5x-6x its size when flipped, and will completely be root bound in a 20 gallon container, when grown the way I explained earlier. It gets huge. Last time, I got 24oz from one plant x 1000w Hortilux HPS, and the only thing I did really, was bend it over. This also allows EVERY BRANCH, to get the exact same light intensity, as the next branch. And all the lower branches that many trim off?? Those have the potential to have some of the largest colas on the plant, if given strong light, and the plant has the right genetics. There aint no powerful light at the top, and 3 feet down, Much Weaker light, on the mid/lower branches. Now, every branch from top to bottom, gets blasted. Every branch, is a Main. And I dont top, as I rely on the stretch, and the growing tip for more size, and more secondary branching, during the stretch. All it is, is low stress training, is extremely effective, and simple to do. And is the best way to get strong light, to every branch.
Topping CAN, be very effective, BUT if one is tying for the fastest turnover, one has to let the toppedplant recover, and start growing again. Basically it increases veg time, but can increase yield. Bt does it produce more, on a long term basis? Because not topping, gives a faster turn around. I believe, not topping, has the edge for fast production, and turnaround. Ultimately, a trained, scientifically thought out topping program, will increase yield, but at the price of turnaround.
I dunno....Growing is fun and experimenting and learning by doing are all legit things.