To be honest though.. these don't look much less branchy than what I work with..
I mean, I have come across some very tight growth with high leaf to calyx.. That just looks like a pretty standard hybrid to me.
It looks about like these plants. No defoliating. And see the large fan leaves coming out of the cola... those are leaves that I see defoliators remove well before this point.. Some of the BEST leaves (I would think), right up close to the bulb, catching rays.. the buds beneath them did just fine. Don't underestimate healthy vigorous growth from a weed plant. It's a tough vigorous plant.
Those low down buds look alright, right? No defoliating..
I don't pack the plants in like most though... By my standards... that's crowding.. Ime, crowding plants doesn't increase yields. Getting a bigger light increases yields.. (assuming all other pieces are there) <co2, nutes, etc>
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This plant, I would say is less stout and leafy than what you posted..
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I just included that last one cause it's so fucking beautiful..