5 6 inches before transplanting them.
a hermie is both a male/female plant still buds but also puts energy towards making seeds so the bud is 1/4 of what it would be.
u can use tap i mean just check the ph of the water make sure its anywhere between 5.8 - 6.5 6.0 is the best i hear my tap water is 6.0 out of the fachet so im good :D
branch out i think never topped a plant before still on my 2nd grow dont want to mess with them at all Topping plants is for SOG grows topping = more yield like 2-5 grams more from each plant
leave your plants alone bro they will grow better let them be then take a nice long stare at them when you water them thats how i fucked up my first grow lol
JUST LET EM BE!
Good Luck