Quote Originally Posted by mightymarijuanabuds
as a beginner, you want to stay away from topping, etc... just focus on getting a good grow going

you CAN go to flowering whenever you want, but most wait until thier plant shows alternating nodes, which usually takes about 4 weeks, i always start flowering early, around 2-3 weeks @8-10'', because my plants have to stay shorter than 3ft

since your plant has been through so much (frost,etc), it is really small for its age

just count on it getting between 2-3x its size when starting to flower by the time it is done flowering and start it whenever you want
Very sound advise.