I have lots of new pistals at the bottom of my plant but the top is clearly ready for harvest, would the lower portion of the plant still servive it i cut the main cola off?
ya dude it should be alright, even if it kinda starts dieing any energy it has or produces will pretty much be used for producing buds. Also remember that your other option is killing the whole thing anyway, so you really don't have to worry about it being super healthy, just giving it the opportunity to keep developing for a couple more days or weeks.