I would not advice clipping anything around the buds the leaves will start to get thc on.This can inturn be clipped back once the plants ready for harvest but i alwaays leave any leaves with thc on the plant darf not to.Take the white widow the leaves on thi plant become white with thc so i leave them on and dry them on the cola.Has for cloneing plants once there in flower it can be do just take clones from the bottom of the plant and witn in 3 week the plant will revert back to veg but i would'nt advice doeing this all the time best to get clones just before the flowering of a plant and by the time the 8 week is up you should have the next batch ready to go straight in.hope it helped.....tyke