FIM and Top

Is there a stage or age after which you wouldn't want to engage in either fimming or topping?

Is there a number of times after which your diminishing returns makes fimming/topping (without training) a waste of time?

The point at which you FIM or top really depends on when you want to flower. I wouldn't FIM or top and immediately throw the plant into flower. I'd wait a week or two for the plant to 'bush out'. I've also found that topping more than twice is sort of a waste indoors. Your mileage may vary.

homebrewer, I see diagram after digram of people fimming and topping between the fourth and fifth internode, suggesting a very young plant. If I were to do it (top) once, would you recommend that degree of youth? And may I assume that you prefer topping?

Personally, I'll top once at the 6th or 7th node, then supercrop in flower as an attempt to even out the canopy.

In regards to your question, I wouldn't have an issue topping a clone that young but would wait a little bit if growing from seed. My own practices and my reasons behind them are based on what works best for my space and environment; which is not to say you can't top at the node that you're suggesting.

Got it. Thanks for the reply.