Here's my experience with this topping technique and something I learned by accident. I started 20 seeds following the directions on Fox Farm's nutrients. I planted in Natural Guard Organic soiless mix similar to Sunshine #4. The only things I added to the mix were rock dust and some worm castings. I watered using the Big Bloom only per instructions. I don't do anything to the seeds, just stick them in the mix. Well only half sprouted and they were pretty weak looking and starving to death. I left the ones that sprouted under flouros until the 5th node and then topped. Unfortunately they also got a little dried out due to being away for a few days. In the photo they are the group on the right. (Pic is under hps light so they look a little yellow)
I fed them full strength big bloom and grow big after that to get them back on track. They have remained severely stunted ever since.
For kicks I started 10 more seeds and instead of giving just big bloom I watered with the same full strength grow big and big bloom I fed the others before the seeds even popped. I also put them under a 1000 w hps instead of flouros from day one. The difference in size is just incredible! In the photo they are the 9 on the left side and have been going for about 2 weeks (not topped yet) while the ones one the right are about a month old (topped @ second node).
The first set of leaves on the 1st node were tiny on the plants on the right maybe half inch while the plants on the left had about 2" first node leaves. What has amazed me the most is how stunted the original 9 remained. It showed me how important getting them started correctly impacts their future development.
I also have a picture of what I think would be considered a dormant bud site or "false node" on a seedling. UB can correct me of wrong.
I write all of this to show people that you can do things in a simple way and still end up with great results. I didn't soak seeds, put them in paper towels, use domes, use flouros or anything special. Just put them in the mix and watered with nutrients and put them under a high powered hps light.
Thanks UB for the great thread I'm looking forward to seeing how these turn out.