You never mentioned how big your space is. And what size pots. Also, LST will get you a bushy plant if you tie down all branches as the come. No topping required. Or top and tie
Outside leaves or large ones act like solar panels to catch light for energy conversion. the inner lil leaves yeah pull those.......all they do is create a possibility for mildew and reduce light penetration
Disagree. Pulling the larger leaves allows the smaller leaves to receive more light, thus grow into large leaves themselves.
Defoliating in veg will result in a bushy plant. Side branches won't be as stretchy because it didn't come from the shade. Mix this with LST or a Scrog, and you'll be overwhelmed with branches.
Entering the flower stage, remove any branches that will never reach the canopy. About the lower 1/3 of the plant. You can do this in veg as well as to not waste energy growing a branch that will be cut.
Defoliating before flower will slow the stretch down. Defoliating on day 21 from flip may reduce yields, but have better quality on lower nugs.
