I would like to add a couple things about bending the plants.
First off, I think it is fine to do it in VEG only. Bent stems grow into thick knuckles of stem, however that is only if they are in the early part of vegatative stage, or early flower (before the end of stretch). Any bending done after the stretch will not heal, and will start to rot in the crease, leaving you in a state of shock at what you did wrong.
A very simple mistake can cost significant yeild.
So my point here is plan carefully, and do not BEND/PINCH any stems after week 1-2 flower, preferably finish the process of bending and pinching before the last week of VEG.
I do see how you are training these plants, and this is all fine (you haven't crushed the cell wall of the stem,
however some times you pinch a little to hard, or when you mist your plants (etc.), and the stem crushes, this is mostly what I am talking about when I say bend and pinch.
This is the type of damage to the stems that does no heal once the stretching is complete.
So yeah, less is more in my books.