elkukupanda
Active Member
If you don't know... Now you know... Diaz..Who said I'm worried? Just don't understand, that's all.
If you don't know... Now you know... Diaz..Who said I'm worried? Just don't understand, that's all.
I veg all day everyday. Oh wait. Nevermind.
Wonderful post. Im 100% positive it is NOT always a bad thing to remove a couple leaves that are just flat out in the way indoors. A good test of this is to leave a big fan leaf covering a top next to it. it can be from another plant next to it, or even the same plant with multiple tops that have leaves covering bud sites. Those sites, especially when tops, are certainly effected from the lack of direct light. they not only suffer in total size, but also the amount of resin.Like most things, there is not a simple answer like "keep all your leaves". Yes, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that leaves are the surfaces where light photons are absorbed, and carbohydrates are produced. Leaves are also very important for cooling the plant and also maintaining the flow of nutrient and water through the plant.
There is a balance between the energy needs of the plant (due to its size) and it's ability to produce energy to support growth. However! The very precense of leaves increases the need for more water uptake, nutrient assimilation, and carb production. A plant is subject to all kinds of natural hazards that cause defoliation.. Wind, disease, insects, animals, etc. the balance in the plant is not so delicate that loosing some leaves is going to cause the collapse of the plant. This is why you can lollipop a plant and low and behold...your yield will increase. Bud sites need light, as do lower leaves. Light penetration is severely limited indoors. Lower leaves don't receive a whole lot of energy if they are shaded.
Bottom line, defoliating can increase yield if used properly. I would never hack more than 20% of the canopy at one time but defoliating can increase side branches, bud maturation and increase bud sites. Simply saying "hack them off" or "leave them they are the energy sites" is a gross over simplification.
I typically defoliate a week or so before the flip, and after week 5. Before the flip, removing leaves will thicken the canopy. I take off any huge leaves that are blocking the understory and I pluck all yellow as soon as they turn. This increase air circulation and wards off mildew. Towards the end of flower, the plants nutrient needs are greatly reduced so I take off leaves that are blocking bud sites to aid in maturation and color development
The best advice is try it in moderation and observe the results.
in this thing of ours, there aren't any studys done on it publicized so they only way to be "convinced" one way or the other is to experiment yourself, any thing else is just listening to a debate between people who have defoliated and love it, and people who have never done it tell you how stupid it is( stupid right?)
Like the qouted post says... MODERATION is key. EVERY little phenotype has different needs, and gives different reactions.
Hmmmm... be fair here. Just because someone does not like to defoliate does not mean that they have never tried it... I've been in on this discussion. I have tried both and I have chosen to not continue with defoliation.
here is pic after first cut. View attachment 2513025. here they are after second cut three weeks laterView attachment 2513030View attachment 2513031View attachment 2513033View attachment 2513034 sexy bitches right???? and here are the ladies 2day... starting with the strawberry coughs,View attachment 2513037View attachment 2513038View attachment 2513039View attachment 2513040View attachment 2513041 and finally the sour kush View attachment 2513042View attachment 2513043View attachment 2513044 so here they are. I am no means (as you can see by the pictures) a master grower, this my hobby and i had a blast on my experiment, ... and yes uncle ben i am using a cannabis specific nutrient probably why my leaves are turning and i had so many issues late in flower.. so next experiment will be an organic grow, peace
so no way of knowing if idefoliation actually helped or not...sux...I do not recommend going organics as it is even harder to get correct
No this horror zone needs help fail fail
No this horror zone needs help fail fail