I am going to be cutting for my first clones soon. I know the rule "past at least 1 node away from the stalk where there are at least 2 nodes farther out". The past 1 node away from the stalk is so the limb will regenerate at the node. What if I plan to remove the limb anyway? can I take the clone cut between the stalk and the first node? That way I can trim the first nodes at the stalk to exposed the node zone to rooting. Otherwise my limbs are a bit short and I'll just wait awhile to take the clones then prune the lowest limbs. never done this. Advice is good...

__________________
If PH is pronounced "F" then I need an "F"ing meter...

I guess your asking if you can cut it straight off the stem? If you are im not 100% sure but i think that will stop the buds growing on the "armpit" so therefore less buds? Correct me if im wrong someone.

Yes you can but nothing will grow back in that spot. Think of a Christmas tree with a branch missing. Would you want it with a hole in it? Think of your mom's as fat little Christmas trees and cut accordingly. Always take from the ends and top. Nodes are great to have at the end but some times you can't so just scrape the end of the stem with your blade lightly, a little skin comes of and thats what you want. I find dragging the blade is better.

Patience is what growing is all about.

The reason I'm asking is because I am thinking about taking off the 2 lowest limbs because they are about 1/2" off the soil and a couple inches down in the bucket. They'll never amount to much. So, practicly, there is no reason why not? other than loss of limbs but as I said I was considering taking them off regardless as they will never get any light. I just wasn't sure if I should wait because the rooting hormones or the magic whatsis don't exist before the first node... New to me.

__________________
If PH is pronounced "F" then I need an "F"ing meter...

true, but remember, the fan leaves feed the plant. Although I due practice lollypopping in my grow, next time i will use extreme LST, (growing my plants into a screen to make them grow horizontally,) to prevent as much pruning as I can. Cut the fan leaves, and you don't know if it'll hurt your overall yield. Something to think about.

__________________
http://www.rollitup.org/grow-journal...oset-grow.html
http://www.rollitup.org/grow-journal...-veg-600w.html