To Cut or Not to Cut

I have this plant growing and it has been growing since April. At first I did not think it was going to be female and almost chopped it down, would that have ever been a mistake. Anyway my question to you all is this. Should I cut the top out of this plant with the big bud on it so that I can get the lights (CFLs) closer to the branching out leaves and they can start growing better just like the top is growing now? Would this kill my plant in the stage it is in now or would this help to cut the top out and let the branches start budding more? HELP. Thanks to you all. Below is a current picture from today.

bend it sideways and tie it down to its own pot, dont cut the top off, it will be a huge waste and it will not get you high.

endogrowa said:

bend it sideways and tie it down to its own pot, dont cut the top off, it will be a huge waste and it will not get you high.

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Not so much worried about the getting high part, although the top bud has many trics so I really do not see how it could not get you high. I am looking to maximize my yield, there would be no way I could tie just the top down and let the others get more light with the space I have. I am also worried that the top bud will mature before the others and I will have to cut it anyway. I appreciate your opinion, does anyone else have any opinions or have done this before? I am more worried about killing my plant altogether vs getting high from the bud I cut and trying to maximize the yield from the others.

You just need to spend the $5 per light fixture and add a few more around the sides. You can build a 2 light fixture for under $5 at home depot. Add two more and you should be good to go.

I definitely wouldn't cut anything till its ready for harvest. However, I've read about people cutting the top when its ready to be harvested, and then allowing the lower buds to stay in flower for a bit longer to allow for proper maturing.

I second the recommendation of adding some light lower on the plant. I added two 4' t-5s to my tent and my plants seemed to love the added attention.