I've noticed with some other strains the stems seem to get stiffer much more quickly or much less quickly than the strain I use all the time now. I wait until 50% or more of the plants have split into good, healthy looking 1 1/2 to 2 footers.

You may have different results with mainly indica or pure indica varieties. A little indica (maybe 20% max) is in these that I grow, as they tend to grow tall but still have high yields and bushy, leafy buds.

I don't recommend you do this if you feel that the stalks are too stiff, unless you can bend it and still maintain an arch that isn't too taut. I broke two very nice plants this way that had just grown too rapidly, but that was when I grew, at most, 7. So yeah.

Good luck if you try it. I'd love to hear how it works for other people.

--mic