Pedr-OG.47
New Member
Hello friends, this is my plant. I am thinking of cutting fan leaves so that those in the middle can relax and grow. What do you think?
Should I cut the fan leaves?
- Thread starter Pedr-OG.47
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PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
I'd leave it alone and let it grow.
A plant's leaves are solar panels that are responsible for receiving light which allows the plant to create energy (photosynthesis).
Removing leaves is akin to removing solar panels from a solar electrical system. You're reducing the amount of energy that can be produced by the plant. New growth doesn't need to "relax". The plant will grow out new, young growth using the energy created from the light collected by the large, existing fan leaves.
Cut them off and you'll slow growth, due to a lesser energy generation capacity.
Removing leaves is akin to removing solar panels from a solar electrical system. You're reducing the amount of energy that can be produced by the plant. New growth doesn't need to "relax". The plant will grow out new, young growth using the energy created from the light collected by the large, existing fan leaves.
Cut them off and you'll slow growth, due to a lesser energy generation capacity.
ISK
Well-Known Member
andymex
Well-Known Member
I always use that analogy, most growers I know remove fan leaves and they see me with strange eyes when I tell them that leaves along with light and co2 are responsible for photosynthesis. That is basic science but defoliators have made people who follow basic science controversial .......
TreeFarmerCharlie
Well-Known Member
I’m always surprised by how many new growers don’t understand the basic purpose of the leaves. I like my bitches bushy like a pornstar from the 70s.
andymex
Well-Known Member
And most of the times I tell them, they acuse me me of not doing good research about cannabis growing. Other people tell me that because of the stress it makes them flower better......
It is really sad that most people is not aware of something they teach you when you are a very young kid.
Bushbaby11
Well-Known Member
Just a simple leaf tuck usually works for me lol
andymex
Well-Known Member
To allow light to lower buds ?
There is a time and a place I think. In general most plants produce more leaves than they need to counteract things like weather, insect, disease etc etc damage. It your running a tight ship in your room and no leaves are lost this way then some defoliating is ok and in some cases important to allow airflow depending on your grow setup, especially later in flower when you want your buds to have air moving around them to help avoid mold. By this time the plant does not require so many leaves anyway imo. I take out leaves quite freely 2-3 times to open up the space, get light to the lower branches, air flow etc, just do not overdo it as like everyone says, the leaves are the fuel tank. I do not see any reason for you to do anything to your plants, they are just beginning their journey.
andymex
Well-Known Member
That is a good point because in nature a plants loses some of it leaves to pests and things like that. But that is not the same as what most defoliators suggest.
Yes some people take it to extremes, but at the end of the day it is about results, if it works for them and they think they get quality bud all power to them, each to their own. I think marijuana is very versatile and can be grown in many different ways as can be seen here in the forum. I really love the plant in general and can sit for hours just looking at its beauty, thus defoliating in a major way is a no no as it just does not look as nice
andymex
Well-Known Member
By having the right amount of leaves you maximize photosytensis. I see no good logic in removing to much.Yes some people take it to extremes, but at the end of the day it is about results, if it works for them and they think they get quality bud all power to them, each to their own. I think marijuana is very versatile and can be grown in many different ways as can be seen here in the forum. I really love the plant in general and can sit for hours just looking at its beauty, thus defoliating in a major way is a no no as it just does not look as nice
CannaCountry
Well-Known Member
There is a time and a place to manage your canopy (defoliate / remove leaves)...this is not one of them in my opinion. Be patient. Good luck.
andymex
Well-Known Member
Can you explain more ?
Sweetmesss
Well-Known Member
I mean what's your overall goal of the plant and grow strategy?
Are you defoliator? Do you plan on lollipoping? Do you want a quick grow?
Personally I have been cleaning up the bottoms of my leaves. My goal here is to build a nice even canopy. I also pinch. Please keep in mind I am a new grower.
Are you defoliator? Do you plan on lollipoping? Do you want a quick grow?
Personally I have been cleaning up the bottoms of my leaves. My goal here is to build a nice even canopy. I also pinch. Please keep in mind I am a new grower.
King_spleef
Active Member
You should only trim (defoliate) your plant if you see a reason to do so. Some examples could be height limitation, overcrowding surrounding plants, leaves covering bud sights from light, mainlining, lollipopping, airflow, infestation. Those are just a few off the top of my head. Other wise I prefer to let nature take its course.
I believe along same lines I run my hands through the plant shake them a little and they drop what they want funny they hold on to big ugly fan leaves and drop fresh young leafs first only drop big leafs after they are completely dehydrated I believe this is because of the fact that big leafs leave a bigger hole so they dry them all the way out they get so ugly I have since resorted to pinching off dry fingers and leaving stem and it still won't drop that until it's dry maybe an inch from stalk
I like that training method I also tie I string to stalk and pull it to the side a little with lst a little goes along way