keeping low growth

Plants can start to be topped (carefully) by the time they grow their third to fifth set of true leaves.

Each time a growing shoot is pruned or pinched, that stem and branch will split into two, growing from the two nodes directly below the cut. This reduces the height of final plants and makes them more bushy, but it will not necessarily increase yield and, depending on the strain being grown, may not lead to a particularly short final plant. Once flowering begins, plants will usually gain height rapidly, and flowering plants should not be pruned.

Tying plants down - gradually and gently bending them with string and weights/stakes until the main stem is parallel or almost parallel with the ground - is a good way to reduce plant height.

It's better to start bending plants after they're somewhat established - say 20cm or so.

Bending should be done very gently, over the course of a week or two, as the roots of young plants are very easy to break with excessive movement. 

It's called a signature or a .sig

Not sure why it would look like a joke...

Thank you for that. I'm starting to get a bit concerned that they'll get high enough for people to notice them even though they're camouflaged by mint and basil. They're in a pot. I live in a motor home.  In this state you're not allowed to grow your own.  Perhaps it's time to drive to the next state.  Such a pity because the state I'm in is drop dead gorgeous and perfect for growing lush strong plants. Maybe when they get to three inches, assuming nobody's reported me and I'm in the slammer, I'll move on.  That way I can grow them tall !