has anyone done this? is it possible to harvest the main cola first and leave the lower branches to grow away for another week or two? my lower buds are nowhere near as mature as my cola? any info on how to go about this?

thanx much guys

yes , its normal to do this

I'm doing this at the moment, it seems to be working very well with lower buds filling out and ripening up.

Would the only downside be longer drying times for the colas?

Drying times are dependent to the environment mate. It should lead to some smoke earlier thats all

From what I've read a lot of growers don't water for the last few days of flowering to reduce drying time. If this is the case then cutting still fed colas early is'nt going to gain you early buds unless you 'quick dry'