Hey Profgrow, awesome thread! lots of great info here! However I did have a question
I know its a little bit of an issue between growers when talking about cutting off lower growth, (some say its fine, some swear against it). If the issue is just cutting off nutrients that are stored in the leaves, would it be acceptable to do a nutrient flush, and then cut off the lower leaves that show the most signs of "flushing"?
To trim or not to trim, that is the question, weather it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows... wait what were we talking about? Oh ya!
Here's my official stance on trimming: Outdoor plants, standard grow plants, SOG grows and seed to 12/12 grows need not be trimmed. It's not that is damages the plants, its just not needed. 0utdoor grows get full light coverage if not obstructed by an outside source (tree/building) so trimming them is bad because you are stopping them from doing what they do naturally = make bug fat buds. Lsting outdoor plants is great but trimming, again, is unnecessary. Standard grows/SOG and seed to 12/12 all can be left alone as well and will do fine, minimal work aside from removing yellowing leaves is great for these "set it and forget it" grow styles.
Now lets talk about scrog and trained plant systems: In my opinion, SCROG and larger LST grows can benefit from a good trim, here's why; LST and SCROG both use the canopy to maximize flower development, they are slightly more work than standard grow styles because of the continued training through the vegging and early flowering stages. LST grows are super bushy making they're lower branches that are not exposed to much (if any) light a mold and fungus hazard. "Lolie popping" large LSTs by removing small lower branches and foliage is a preventative measure against these becoming issues during late flower. SCROG also benefits from this "stripping" of the lower limbs for similar reasons; mold/fungus prevention and also plant development, the screen is full, almost no light should be below it, any plant matter below the light level is not only hazardous but wasteful, the plant cannot gain anything from this "appendage" through photosynthesis but to keep it alive it must keep pumping nutrients to it, leaves/branches below the canopy are "bloodsuckers" for lack of a better term. When I SCROG I try to remove as much underbrush before flower as possible, after flower i may remove fan leaves above the canopy that block light from flower sites but for the most part we try to leave it be after flowering starts, veg can handle some damage but in flower its best to baby her.
The argument made by a lot of growers against trimming is it stresses the plant and slows growth, this may be true to some degree, I honestly have never run a side by side to test the theory but it's nominal at best. Any time lost in veg is gained in top end yield, I like big colas, not unripened "under-fruit".
The 1000 is a freebie so id just be buying a rail and reflector... which in my book saves me cash.... and i like that lol. Plus with some babies on the ground the 1000 will keep the stretch down. I'll keep you posted as i start my journal and post away here for the advice that will be more than welcome!
