I recently tried shwazzing, even after reading the disses on here, on a couple outdoor GG4 clones from good genetics. I understand the idea, and understand the points against it.
“Trimming off leaves focus the plants on growing buds” or, “the other plant believes it is in danger/dying, so it kicks into heavy-reproduction mode” vs. “IT NEEDS LEAVES FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS!” (emphasis, mine )
It’s my first year, second harvest, and I have some room to experiment. By no means am I an experienced grower- but I do read a lot and take a lot of advice from folks here, and the friend who gave me the clones.
Anyhoo, I started dark-out tenting them on July 20th, 2020, and gave an initial heavy-defoliation (basically “lolli-popped” them), leaving some fan leaves where they wouldn’t shade bud, around August 2 or 3rd. Just cleaned them up more on the 25th as I plan to harvest on the 10th of September, a week before my bday.
Sooo, I definitely did notice the bud begin to bulk up and get more dense within days of the first trim. Other grower friends say this is a pretty regular technique, and it seems I see a lot of pics of still growing plants that have been trimmed down to all but sugar-leaf and maybe one or two fans left sticking from the buds. Look forward to criticism/comments.
Photos 1 & 2: Outdoor gg4 since about 1-1/2’. Started flower July 10th.
Photos 2 & 4: same as above but started flower in 6x3-1/2 closet with lights (a t5 and 3 multi-spec bulb lights; not professionally done), but moved outside after two weeks when I noticed the outdoor one was greener, denser, and healthier).