Here's some questions I think needed addressed:
Can I start flowering to sex the plant and then revert to vegging?
Yes you can, but it takes a long time to revert, and then all of the cuttings will be from a reverted plant.
How effective are the Metal Halide conversion bulbs that are designed to go into an HPS ballast?
They work fine, although providing fewer lumens than the HPS lamp. I think it's better to use an enhanced spectrum HPS lamp.
How long can I veg before the plant is ruined or starts to auto-flower?
You can veg a plant for as long as you have room for her to grow.
What is the smallest space allowable for growing, provided heat and humidity are controlled?
I'd guess 1 sqft, and 2 feet high?
Is a plants sex determined prior to flowering, meaning: can you veg a plant, clone it, and then flower it with a mixed result of sexes?
No, a plant and all of its cuttings will be the same sex.
Can you flower a plant, selectively pick the buds, then put the same plant into vegging and start over again? Basically, at harvest, do you always need to remove the entire plant?
You can do that, Dr. Jeffery DeMarco said so, but it takes too long.
How can you determine the strain of the plant successfully? Are there telltale signs for each strain?
The same way you get to Carnegie Hall. (practice, practice)
Is it proven that "designer" strains are more potent, like colored buds and such.
Good genetics are bred for many good traits that you want. Bagseed is like a box of chocolates.
Is it safe to get seeds shipped into the US from off shore retailers?
No, it's illegal. You're taking a risk. But the risk is not getting your seeds, nothing more.
I have more, I just forgot most of them, I'll post more later.
In 10 years of typing answers, I've seen most of em.
Check out my other post if you are good at identifying strains.
Have a hazy day!