Well, then basically you are calling Mel Thomas..One of the biggest names in pot cultivation in the UK a liar as well. His newest book states..:
"The plants are allowed to establish themselves and develop a strong stem before they are defoliated. All of the leaves are stripped back, leaving just the branches. The plants are then regularly trimmed of large leaves right up until flowering: The leaves will start to grow back misshapen but this is normal. Once the plants reach a height of around 16" the light cycle is changed to 12 hours and the plant is induced to flower. The flowering Phase will take approximately 50 days.
Continual and severe defoliation produces what are known as polyploid plants: basically genetic mutations. Polyploidy is well known in the plant world and mutations can take many forms. What is of interest to the cannabis producer is that these mutations can produce abnormally high yields, although there is no increase in potency or THC content.
Polyploidy can be chemically induced in marijuana plants with colchicine, which is found in crocus plants and can be extracted from the bulbs by crushing them. Dilute the juice with an equal amount of warm water and add a few drops of non-ionic wetting agent. Paint this solution onto the growing tips four times a day for three days;the plant will start to produce abnormal leaves that are misshapen and irregular. Although the colchicine has been extracted from the plant, it is poisonous and should be handled carefully wearing gloves. If you do want to expirement with these plants it is easier to try to induce polyploidy by stripping the plant foliage back." - "Cannabis Cultivation : A Complete Grower's Guide", By Mel Thomas..Page 93.
