Should I remove leaves in veg?

[Wizzlebiz]

You Californias are crazy. Everything is bad except styrofoam in the soil,

Is It Safe to Use Styrofoam in Planters for Vegetables?

Container gardening lets gardeners grow vegetables in small spaces like balconies and...

homeguides.sfgate.com

This opinion article basically states that its perfectly safe.

But again it's a opinion piece so taken with a grain of salt imo

I'm genuinely interested if @farmingfisherman has anything specific grow chemical wise that would cause such a large breakdown of styrofoam that it would be leeched up by the plant.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

This opinion article basically states that its perfectly safe.

But again it's a opinion piece so taken with a grain of salt imo

I'm genuinely interested if @farmingfisherman has anything specific grow chemical wise that would cause such a large breakdown of styrofoam that it would be leeched up by the plant.

Bacteria can break down all kinds of shit. I know they say some bacteria can break down styrofoam into a non toxic plastic, but I'm on a Koolaid free diet.

 

[Wizzlebiz]

Bacteria can break down all kinds of shit. I know they say some bacteria can break down styrofoam into a non toxic plastic, but I'm on a Koolaid free diet.

Some things are not bio degradable.

Being as respectful as possible it seems you have no proof of anything on this topic.

Saying you drink a kool-aid free diet leads me to believe you think there is some sort of cover up on how styrofoam breaks down.

Why? Is this something you follow closely and feel strongly about?

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Some things are not bio degradable.

Being as respectful as possible it seems you have no proof of anything on this topic.

Saying you drink a kool-aid free diet leads me to believe you think there is some sort of cover up on how styrofoam breaks down.

Why? Is this something you follow closely and feel strongly about?

 

[Greengrouch]

I would get some pots, fabric or plastic. Styrofoam is pretty nasty stuff. They look healthy though. But seriously get some pots they’re quite cheap you can get a 10 pack of 2, 3, or 5 gallon fabric pots for less than $20

 

[Wizzlebiz]

View attachment 5231491

I want you to know I was not trying to be a dick to you. More about people claiming things that they have no proof of.

The whole conversation was truly wrapped around @farmingfisherman

Hope you didn't take offense.

 

[CaliRootz88]

This is definitely an interesting topic. If stores sold tiny styrofoam balls could this act as perlite? I prefer to stick to plastic/fabric pots personally.
I wonder if humic/fulvic acids can play a role in the decomposition of styrofoam.
Do worms eat it?
Anaerobic compost comes to mind and how it breaks down things. Can this same process breakdown styrofoam?

We must question everything! As we all remain students of the plant.


Ohh, and to the OP:
As others have stated don’t take leaves yet. Tuck the bigger ones or bend her over to expose lower branches and break the apical dominance to achieve that orange tree type canopy we all love and desire.

 

[Newguyontheblock96]

Thank you to everyone who had positive or atleast constructive negative advice. Facts are they are 3 gallon coolers i put several appropriate sized drain holes in. They just barely fit into my space and dont take away to much grow space. This is my first grow so I appreciate all the help. Im pretty sure these plants are thriving so i must be doing something right. That being said im sure there are just as many things i could do better. Thankfully i can squeeze 4 5 gal square fabric pots in my new tent thats coming this weekend( thanks to the user who shared the link. Im still learning how to use this website with tags and all).

 

[PadawanWarrior]

I want you to know I was not trying to be a dick to you. More about people claiming things that they have no proof of.

The whole conversation was truly wrapped around @farmingfisherman

Hope you didn't take offense.

I was just having some fun with you bro. We're all good, . Personally I wouldn't use them though.

 

[Wizzlebiz]

I was just having some fun with you bro. We're all good, . Personally I wouldn't use them though.

Funny story. When I grew my very 1st plant I cut holes into a old cooler I had. It was plastic so no styrofaom but being brand new sometimes you have a seed, dirt, and what ever stupid container is at hand.

This story is probably why I have mercy on the newbie. Lol

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Funny story. When I grew my very 1st plant I cut holes into a old cooler I had. It was plastic so no styrofaom buy being brand new sometimes you have a seed, dirt, and what ever stupid container is at hand.

This story is probably why I have mercy on the newbie. Lol

My first time was in the 90's. I made a Hydro setup with 32oz Fun Cups from Round Table, aquarium gravel, tubing, an aquarium air pump, a plastic gallon jug, and Miracle Grow.

Oh and a cheap mechanical timer.

 

[xtsho]

It seems as though removing leaves has replaced calmag as something that's unnecessary but many are doing it. I don't understand why so many want to chop the leaves off their plants.

I've read posts where someone's reasoning was that the leaves were taking energy from the buds and that the plant will regrow them. Doesn't it take energy to regrow leaves? And during the process of regrowing leaves the plant is not able to create as much energy through photosynthesis which takes place in the leaves.

 

[speedwell68]

It seems as though removing leaves has replaced calmag as something that's unnecessary but many are doing it. I don't understand why so many want to chop the leaves off their plants.

I've read posts where someone's reasoning was that the leaves were taking energy from the buds and that the plant will regrow them. Doesn't it take energy to regrow leaves? And during the process of regrowing leaves the plant is not able to create as much energy through photosynthesis which takes place in the leaves.

This. I will selectively defoliate, for training purposes. I will also lollipop a week or so before I flip. But this practice of "schwazzing" to the point the poor thing looks like a stick insect is moronic.

 

[mudballs]

Why is that

yeah even i would have popped a few leaves off those things for air circulation.
brb, going to greenhouse to take pics

 

[mudballs]

no. and you need to read/research more.

Here's some research for you...bitch...
Mostly 1 gallon seedling and saplings do this guys, right? They just bean stalk until they get bigger.

Well what i do is strip those top fan leaves. Not all the time, this breeding project and space requirement forced me to do it.

Left plant is first day...2nd plant is several days later...idk maybe 5 i didnt count. But you wait till you have at least 6-7 nodes then pop those top fan leaves off. DO NOT TOP!! Just those few fan leaves. This shunts auxin and force majeure those fkn lower branches to get moving.

Now, this is sort of advanced stuff and i dont want you guys doing this until you dont mess up grows no more or have spare beans to practice on, cuz it adds time to ur grow.
I dont condone defoliation like some do...i condone wise use of knowledge, teaching, space utilization, and controlling the plants hormonal responses.

 

[calvin.m16]

My opinion is that you should not defoliate yet or at least do so minimally. Photosynthesis is good and that happens in your leaves. Later on you might selectively defoliate to improve airflow, eliminate larf and make a level canopy. But that comes later.

In my experience not defoliating lower growth early on results in the plant focusing a lot of on energy on it just so I can chop it off later.. I'm speaking from personal experience. Some dudes like to just let er rip but imo they're lazy or smooth brained. Enjoy your scraggles if you don't strip the lower canopy.

 

[mudballs]

Same defoliated group 6d later

 

[calvin.m16]

I pluck the shit out of my plants and I've noticed, even ripening top to bottom, larger, denser buds and bigger yields. Lots less Scraggle you gotta fuck with during harvest & trim.
Day 21 from flip to 12/12


You can see a lot more light in the canopy on the second pic. The angle of the pics is a bit different but maybe it'll give you an idea. I strip away all the lower stuff cause I do not like dealing with scraggly little branches come harvest.