Topping is the process of cutting directly BELOW the highest fully developed bun on your plant, this allow the creation of a "Y" in the stem therefor creating two shoots which will develop into two main colas.
FIM'ing is when you cut just above the node on a side node (cutting about 80% of the node off), this allows the plant to grow the circumsized node into 2-4 nodes, which will become colas unless you LST.
LST'ing is when you bend the main stalk of the plant at about a 90 angle so it is horizontal (or close to it) to the soil and almost touching it. This allows all the leafs to get more sunlight allowing better photosynthesis (Process of the chemical reaction that changes sunlight into starch, which the plant uses for food) you then continue growing the plant horizontal allowing every few stems to grow up which will become buds.
What Should I Choose?
Theres no general answer to that, some people wont do any of the above but some others like me will do all. Basically if you want your plant to be bushy with a few buds then
top, if you want your plant to grow more shoots therefor creating more buds and making the plant more bushy then
FIM it. If you don't have much height then you want to
LST so the plant grows horizontal.
What Order Do I Do It In?
1-
Top, you top first allowing the bottom to get more light.
2/3-
FIM, Do this second or third which allows the plant to get more shoots.
2/3-
LST, Do this after or before you FIM, Normally if you LST you should FIM a bit first and alot after.
Quick Rundown
Top (Forms the Y branch which creates two main colas)
LST (tie down the 2 New branches forming the Y)
Fimm and LST (Fim'ing promotes faster side branching off the Y branches and keeping them tied down as well)
I hope this helps everyone.
