Who said I have groundbreaking results? All I said was that it works well for me..I've gotten far less larf about 50% less which is a win in my book...But to each his own happy growing!
I am not trying to win an argument here or be condescending so I hope it is not taken that way but I think your buds look very high quality and cared for but you are leaving possibly half your yeild wherever all the leaves and lower branches went.
Larf or popcorn or scrag or whatever is environmental or genetic or the plant does not have the means to fatten the buds up.
I have followed many guides and advise and have over pruned my plants and caused stress and even male flowers or stamen to suddenly develop and cause me more stress.
Ever since I just bend my plants to fit my space during week 1 or 2. And grow to protect and grow leaves (which seem to reflect root health like a mirror) and never cut anything off the plant my quality and yeild has gone up a lot.
And the lower branches and leaves being cut out would cost me at least an ounce of solid bud per 2 foot tall plant. Yes there are many tops that equal 2 to 4 more ounces per plant as well but please believe me they fill out a little bit more than the nice tops in your picture.
I like to fill the space I have from top to bottom with bud if I can. My results keep improving now that I am gaining a better grasp on how plants work.