I realize now that I should have done this before I switched to 12/12 but I'm only 4 days in so is it too late to cut off the lower branches? Will it stress them and turn them hermie?
You're fine to trim up until the end of stretch, which lasts the first 2 weeks mostly but can go 3 on some strains. I have a 400w Horti and know any plant material MORE THAN 18 inches BELOW the light is not worth growing. That would be 24 inches with a 600w 36 inches with a 1000w 12 inches with a 250w
Not to say you cant grow buds past those limits, but they WILL be popcorn, therefore I don't allow them to grow.
Cool I'm going to trim some now thanks guys.
Edit - I just pulled about 2 handfuls of light green side shoots off the bottoms of the plants. I hope this didn't stress them too much. I can actually see the stalks now lol