How's this argument. Everybody seems to be a spokesman for "The Natural Way". I'm on board from A to L. I step off at the stop-"Logic". That leads down a (logicial) different track, altogether. But it's all logic. Growing the "Natural" way is NOT using chemically infested, void of living microbial life water. Letting the plant do it's own thing naturally is NOT being grown under artificial lights. IE: low quality & totally inept to be a half-asses care giver/Parent for a weed Plant. We can discuss Photo & absorbtion of piss-poor light all day, but until any Plant has what it really has THRIVED upon for 1,000's of years, if you, personally, are not giving the Plants what they need to actually flourish, like all the trace minerals, bacteria, fungi, wind excercising, ( which naturally rips & tears plant cells that grow back stronger), nitrogen, pure natural sunlight, etc., then you really don't have a dog in this hunt. Also, the sunlight here is twice the intensity as in some "growing" areas, which doubles the photo in comparison. In the world of logic, I can take half the fan leaves, & still be the same. For artificial lighting 3/4TH's the leaves. Piss-poor lighting, 7/8th's and still equal the same effect. However, if I have the perfect, Natural climate, taking 1/4TH the fan leaves is a walk in the Park, for a Plant that has a perfect balanced soil, with natural root stimulaters & natural juices that regenerates plant cells, which is not for sale on the market... yet.
Another Elephant stomping around in this room is the conception that all the leaves are for one purpose, doing a Photo Shoot for the Plant. That's a simple claim to a very complex world. In Nature, after the seed has fell, the rains will take it until it clings to a little branch blocking it's path, some dead leaves, whatever. Without man's "help", that's where it stakes it's claim to do the 2 things it wants to do. But like the Fig Tree & Magnoia Tree. They have very shallow feeder roots, & cannot depend upon the rain not washing away a (compost) sunlight barrier, that will fry them in adverse weather. So they grow big fan leaves to become that barrier, for survial's sake. Translucient sun light can damage the feeder roots, also. So they build a waxy coating to reflect the light even more. When the Lower fan leaves die off, it is because the upper ones has taken over the duty, and ... younger growth is always better to adapt than old fucks. Give blood, the new blood is brand new, healthy. Take fan leaves, the replacement is at it's best .
The last Elephant that needs to be shot is the misconception that WE want the same thing as the Plant wants. BS. Humans, Animals & Plant life has 3 main priorties. #1.) To survive. #2) Freedom... room to lay down roots, grow to the Sun. #3.) Reproduce. One Bud, Pollenated, will produce approx. 25 seeds. Without molestantion from man & animals, the Lady has done well. She has done what needs to be done to do the 3 things, as Chickens in the BC era. 2 eggs per year, that's it. But as time evolved, snakes learned to devore them, as humans So, to compensate, more eggs. Same as Bud. One Lady can produce, now, 2,000 seeds. Why? Because her reproduction parts are denied the reproduction goal, so she compensates. We, just want the Bud, so it's not like we have the same natural goals as a plant. Point. Let's not pretend to live in a Natural Fantisy world.
Due to all the above, I can take a 1/2 lb expexpectany Plant, & manipulate Her to produce 2 to 6 lbs. Rule One. Keep Her healthy. Rule Two. Not only realize Her limits, but realize Her Potential. Without actually knowing Her potential to begin with..... step down. Class,.. Dismissed.