seperating is fun! you know why? it means PROGRESS!!! when my hair was still forming and lockingin the beginning, i would let them congo instead of immediately seperate just to let them get a good lock first.
But i have found that you can let your hair and locks be for months, and still not have a problem separating (easier when wet btw).
it is easy to go crazy separating everything in the beginning. but in time you will get tired of keeping tabs on every single one!
Then you will find that the only time that you should really have to separate is if the congo is now pulling your hair uncomfortably. thats the only time i separate now. ill let two locks congo and watch them for months. if its not pulling on roots ill leave it alone
but about how to separate, tip to root or root to tip, well it really all depends on the dread.