How to defoliate

[Babbagoots]

I’m in the first week of flowering Always grew outdoor How do you know when it’s time to remove the fan leaf from that bud site. Is there like a rule of thumb on length of bud site before removal and thoughts on defoliating would be helpful ty

 

[Star Dog]

A rule of thumb would be leaf them alone lol.

 

[Babbagoots]

A rule of thumb would be leaf them alone lol.

Lol. That was my conclusion but my pops keeps insisting I should be removing some to penetrate the bottom since it’s indoor with only directly above

 

[Leeski]

Oh no not again well it’s been at least a month or so since there’s been a barney on this subject lol

 

[Hugo Phurst]

defoliate - no.
prune/trim - IMO sure, just don't go crazy.
example, take all the sick looking leaves. top, lollipop

 

[Babbagoots]

A rule of thumb would be leaf them alone lol.

Lol. That was my conclusion but my pops keeps insisting I should be removing some to penetrate the bottom since it’s indoor with only light directly above.

 

[BanjoPu$$ywhistle]

You want to defoliate to remove all the lower branches, and inner leaves. The goal is to maximize airflow and allow more light to reach lower budsites. I usually top my plants, early in week 3 of veg, and then wait another 2 weeks before I hack em. When the plant is in Veg you can do a lot of pruning to redirect energy without a lot of risk. Once in flower, you have to be more prudent and only prune sparingly. You will learn as you go, and get a hang of it.

 

[BanjoPu$$ywhistle]

A rule of thumb would be leaf them alone lol.

I hope you're joking?

 

[Star Dog]

I hope you're joking?

No not at all.

 

[BanjoPu$$ywhistle]

No not at all.

So you don't lollipop, or train your plants?

 

[BanjoPu$$ywhistle]

No not at all.

Cause you realize that just about every grower would say you're wrong. Its absolutely critical to defoliate, prune and train your plants. ESPECIALLY in an indoor environment. You're literally throwing away yields by just "leafing her alone"

 

[Star Dog]

So you don't lollipop, or train your plants?

Yes I'll take the lower branches/suckers off, when I see the word defoliate I picture a plant thats been robbed of its leafs top to bottom.

 

[Babbagoots]

You want to defoliate to remove all the lower branches, and inner leaves. The goal is to maximize airflow and allow more light to reach lower budsites. I usually top my plants, early in week 3 of veg, and then wait another 2 weeks before I hack em. When the plant is in Veg you can do a lot of pruning to redirect energy without a lot of risk. Once in flower, you have to be more prudent and only prune sparingly. You will learn as you go, and get a hang o

Yes I'll take the lower branches/suckers off, when I see the word defoliate I picture a plant thats been robbed of its leafs top to bottom.

I didn’t mean strip all the leaves just the fan leaves on the areas where the sites they goto are already an inch to 2. Not we’re the leaves at bud sites are small

 

[Hugo Phurst]

I see the word defoliate I picture a plant thats been robbed of its leafs top to bottom.

Exactly

 

[xtsho]

Cause you realize that just about every grower would say you're wrong. Its absolutely critical to defoliate, prune and train your plants. ESPECIALLY in an indoor environment. You're literally throwing away yields by just "leafing her alone"

It is not absolutely critical to defoliate, prune and train your plants. I don't know where you came up with that. More leaves=more photosynthesis=more energy=bigger flowers. Chop away but I can grow the same strain as others that defoliate and get the same yield using the same amount of light. And more than likely larger main cola's. I never cut a leaf. I may tuck them out of the way but they stay on the plant.
.

 

[Babbagoots]

It is not absolutely critical to defoliate, prune and train your plants. I don't know where you came up with that. More leaves=more photosynthesis=more energy=bigger flowers. Chop away but I can grow the same strain as others that defoliate and get the same yield using the same amount of light. And more than likely larger main cola's. I never cut a leaf. I may tuck them out of the way but they stay on the plant.
.

That’s kinda what I’ve been doing just moving the fan leaves down or to the side and positioning the lower branch leaves above when covered by them

 

[BanjoPu$$ywhistle]

What are your yields like? Im being serious? If you get better yields that way then maybe I will try it. Im averaging 2.8 Oz per plant from a 2x2x3.