1 & 2 is top - that will / is splitting into 2 apicals, so 2 stems
3,4,5,6 are the branches from nodes 2 & 3.
When you LST (bend the plant 90 degrees), these branches and apicals will grow into tops. We want to try and get all the tops (apical buds) at the same height. This becomes the CANOPY (look at the previous drawings / photo’s I sent). No need to defoliate or trim now. Now is training time, later we clean it up.
Each branch will eventually also be topped so they get 2 apical buds each. This scenario gives you 10 apical buds. When branches 3,4,5 & 6 grow out, we train the first 2 nodes on them to become more apical buds. It is just a process of trim and repeat. We usually only keep the apicals and 2 nodes. Everything below that usually gets trimmed off…usually - some leave them for nugs / popcorn buds to either puff or make extracts, tinctures, etc. They use nutrients which is why some growers (It makes for bigger, stronger (more trichomes) buds) usually trim them so more growth goes to the tops (apical buds)
It looks like you are growing from the front right corner. You support the main stem and start a hook, pulling from right under the area where you topped, and pull it down to the left
- just pull it the opposite way
Then later you will begin to pull the branches from nodes 2 & 3 to the front and back. We want to try and get as parallel to the aero as possible so all the branches curve and grow upwards and become apicals. You do not have to bend the plant in 1 turn. Sometimes it take a few days, little at a time, so it doesn’t break.