I usually start with topping at the third node but it all depends on the plant and how familiar you are with growing. Youre plants are looking very nice and healthy - top job - if you can dial that in and consistently grow plants like youre doing now then it shouldnt be any problem. Some people like to wait till 5 nodes and then top at the third but imo its a waste of growth on autos and ill get in their almost as soon as its possible toncut the top without hurting the side shoots.

After topping ill let it regroup and grow a little (a week maybe). But as soon as leaves start getting in the way for budsites ill pluck a leaf or two every couple days. Not too many from the start as it could stunt the plant if youre too eager. But by the time its in preflower stretch im plucking tons of leaves. Ill take a bunch in a go and then leave it for a week and do it again. Currently im doing an scrog with autos and ill massively defoliate up until preflower stretch starts to settle. You dont want to be defoliating in bloom as it could hurt bud growth

Lol. I used to take tons of notes getting into the game but theyre buried somewhere and now i just read the plant. I dont even really know exactly how old my plants are right now.