How to top this

[dragon49]

This plant is very leggy because I don't have enough room for it under my primary lighting system, but I'm about to transplant it into a bigger pot and put it directly under another T-5.  My plan is to nurse it until next May, then  plant it out in my garden.  I've never topped anything before—Which top leaves do I pull off?  Do I just pluck the leaves off. or should I also carefully cut off the connecting stem?
 


Here is another view:
 

 

[Mr. Hill]

Topping is to cut the main stem, how far down is up to you I would only top 1/2 to 1/3rd of the plant. 

 

[John1234]

Around 1/3 of the plant, or 3-4 nodes from the top. Cut tight to the node, I'm not sure why it's common here to cut halfway between.
 

 

[dragon49]

Here is the result:
 

 
It pains me to kill some growth, so I'm trying to root and clone it:
 

 

[Geonerd]

Here is the result:
 
 
 
It pains me to kill some growth, so I'm trying to root and clone it:
 

 
Let us know how the rooting attempt pans out.  (That's the only reason I'd ever top a plant.)  Are you using a rooting hormone?

 

[deerdog]

When I've topped in the past I've used a pair of needle nose scissors and only snipped out the very top growing tip, leaving every lateral to grow out.

Just my way though.

 

[dragon49]

 
Let us know how the rooting attempt pans out.  (That's the only reason I'd ever top a plant.)  Are you using a rooting hormone?

No rooting hormone, just tap water.  In my brief "career" of trying to root Chile cuttings, I am 0% (0/2) - once with rooting hormone, the other time with plain tap water.  I am 100% (probably around 10 /10) when rooting a Pothos houseplant though, using only tap water.  I'll give this as long as it needs.  The last Pothos took a month to develop toots.

 

[dragon49]

When I've topped in the past I've used a pair of needle nose scissors and only snipped out the very top growing tip, leaving every lateral to grow out.

Just my way though.

I like your way, but my indoor grow space is limited, so I need the plants short for the next six months until I can plant out.

 

[smileyguy697]

Put a small air stone hooked to an aquarium pump in that bottle.. It'll greatly increase your chances and time till roots.

 

[dragon49]

I'm assuming I am getting the desired effect, as I see new side growth.  Is anything going to come out of the top part ever, or will things just branch off the new side leaves?
 

 

[Dave2000]

You may get new shoots out of the sides of the central stem where there are no leaves (it's probable so long as some light hits it) but not within a few millimeters from the top or at the top because it will dry out a bit at the tip.