Nothing to worry about. You wouldn't believe the accidents I've had. I've yet to see it turn into a problem and lose a plant. Think about the weeds in the yard, you can do almost anything to them and they come back. I do not tie branches, I just bend them where they need to go. This usually results in a broken stem which heals up fast and keeps on going. Also, I don't believe this retards your grow. My biggest yielders are those that have to be bent.