Yes, pinching is a type of topping. It's safer to pinch than to cut through the main stem, which can expose the vascular tissue of the plant to pathogens, not a great idea for an already-stressed plant such as one in the process of re-vegging and adapting to a new environment. Just pinch the very terminal bit of leaf bud, where the soft new growth is coming out, and be sure to pinch just below the thickening that is the base of the new leaves.
stinkyattic Reviewed by stinkyattic on . Young plants not branching... Problem or Natural? Im on my first grow. I just received these two cali mist clones from a friend. They were rooted with an aero cloner and then placed in dirt. They were in their starter cups for a week and I have moved them to larger pots where they will finish with a scrog setup. Instead of these clones showing branches with leaves at the ends they look like one large bud. Brown hairs are present and only one or two leave segments is shooting out of each node. From the reading I have been doing the Rating: 5