Hey snyder, I have cloned stems all the way down the cutting to the point they were taken from the stalk, As long as U cut directly above the last node u should have no problems....
Tops are the best, Direct descendants of the parent plant u take the cuttings from. In my experience they grow root structure the fastest and are the easiest to re-veg and keep recutting and cloning. But mostly used in sog growing cuz after all top clones flower nothing but monster colas time after time.
U can do this during all phases of flower considering u take the cuttings from the lower Stems which havent matured yet (lower stem shoots).
Bro learn how to clone and quit wasting ur time on seedlings...It only makes the most sense.