No you said its using energy from the leaves,its almost done,and clip or don't clip the leaves it won't matter..
That's what I saw,since the thread was about problems he was having and those three hints would add too them..
Its diverting energy to the buds(focus of life,sustaining reproduction to the last min,hence our fetal position we've taken to over the years),not using energy from the leaves,if it was the latter the smaller leaves would go too..
The plants halfway thru,over fed and getting nute lock..correcting this is needed..cutting the leaves that will sustain the plant,and give it energy,or not cutting them,and not fixing the problem because its not close to harvest,but cutting it cause it is said so by you..that'll fix it..the only thing in your stab in the dark post that was true/correct IS the nitrogen bit..
Just cut it down now before it fucks up any further!! Cannabis cup winner...riu style