should i keep it tied down or take them off when i hit flowering....if i keep them tied down what do i do, do i just let the last part that isnt tied down grow vertically
After they are tied down long enough you can untie them and the plant will hold shape. But for now yes leave them tied.
no need to untie them even during flowering..i remove all my paperclips/wiring on harvest day, right before i throw the rootball + dirt to the trash. if you keep them tied down then you do just that - keep them tied down. dont fold once you've begun flowering though - now watch all your budsites bloom into a plethora of colas