Couple of questions for who ever is listening...
1. how often should i fertilize? right now following directions on bottle, is that adequate?
Yes, always follow the directions on the box unless you see signs of deficiency.

2. just transplanted into bigger pots, can i resume fert. right away? I would give it alot of water right after the transplant then start back the next day with some nutrients.

3. do most growers recommend lst?? and when should i start that? I highly recomend low stress training. It helps keep the canopy even which allows more buds to get intense direct light. I always start last at around 6 to 12 inches. But usually i do it about a week after i switch to flowering. This way it grows for another two weeks then stops. If you do it right you should have about four tops without having to Top/fim (cut the main shoots tip off). Just be gentle and don't snap the stem.