Never have been gutsy enough for outdoors work. Will vouch for the tying them over method when they get too big for their britches. I assume your plants are in bloom now considering the time of year. If this be true I would not cut around on it other than to clip off "half" a fan leave if its directly blocking a lower bud from the light. Seen them doing that trick on TV at a commercial grow in Canada I think. So that has to be the right way to do it Swear those plants was 8 to 10 feet tall. Now some do take clones in bloom so there are exceptions to the no cut in bloom rule. For indoor hobbyists its hard to beat the cheap Neem oil combo Fungi/Pesti cide from Wally World. Also the pyrethrine based house and garden insecticide. Try not to hit the blooms directly with the spray. Great growing to you.

Goob