conflicting opinions on staggered harvesting?

I am hearing it's good to cut up to 1/3rd of the plant and dry it as opposed to harvesting the whole plant in one go.
This allows for different types of highs ranging from more mellowed, to more active ones.

Is this true?
Will i not be damaging the other flowers' growth by cutting down a big cola or two?

Is it a good idea to cut down 2 colas, wait 3 days, cut down another 2 colas then 3 more days and harvest the whole plant? too much stress?

thoughts and opinions please!
anyone with first hand experience?

don't worry about stress, it's getting chopped soon anyway. Harvest window is only 1-2 weeks from early to late for most hybrid strains. Sativas can be slower to change and so you could harvest them over a longer period of time. Just make sure it's at least ripening before you chop the first buds.

On most plants the bud tips will be ripe at the same time and can be taken leaving the inner buds nearer the stalk to ripen in 5 to 10 days it all depends on how much light there is if outside and how much green foliage is left on the plant so it can finish. Watch the trichs to see when to take them.....clear = up, cloudy = mellow, amber = couch lock........

thanks Shov. should i not be worried about the massive exposed stem from cutting the cola? do i cover it with something or is using a clean blade enough?

bubblegum? seriously, if you have some wax, tar or like that you could put that on. I have yet to have a problem with trimming off any branches or limbs and leaving it as is. If it were my maple tree in the yard that I expect to grow for a hundred years I would be more likely to cover it.