Okay, I HAVE to say, I'ts stressful, blah blah, lol, but you already know that!
That being said, I would actually try to remove individual buds and leave the LEAVES if possible, and also avoid cutting into the main stem where it becomes hollow- a few inches from the top- to avoid letting pathogens in.
Of course, this close to the end of the life cycle, it's a bit academic :jointsmile: