Controversial Defoliation Increases Marijuana Yields

[Chester da Horse]

Hi everyone

I am not invested in this defoliation technique in any way. I am on my first grow and have zero relevant experience. BUT from growing other plants and as bonsai, it is clear that removing leaves can stunt/redirect growth.

There was a character by the name of OscarleGrouch who had a rather convincing (if not rigorously designed) quasi-scientific experiment posted here last year that was closed. It was the closest thing to a relevant controlled trial I have seen (not blinded or randomised) but it was controlled, examining the defoliation technique - http://rollitup.org/t/effect-of-defoliation-on-yield-skywalker-og-indoor-scrog.827202/

Why was it shat on by everyone, and where did the result go?

The simple explanation of 'allowing light to reach lower buds and help them develop' is clearly fallacy - but how can anyone here definitively say there is not another mechanism by which defoliation can alter yield beneficially in an ARTIFICIALLY LIT, INDOOR grow situation? If a plant redirects growth to generate more fan leaves that are closer to the light source and hence receiving adequate PAR watts compared to poorly illuminated (due to inverse square law) or senescent (and possibly inefficient) lower leaves, may it possibly produce more photosynthate and hence more produce?

I am simply seeking knowledge, I have read the input on many of these similar threads by the vocal and clearly experienced (naysayer) growers out there. I respect your opinions, but am yet to be convinced either way.

 

[UncleBuck]

If a plant redirects growth to generate more fan leaves that are closer to the light source and hence receiving adequate PAR watts compared to poorly illuminated (due to inverse square law) or senescent (and possibly inefficient) lower leaves, may it possibly produce more photosynthate and hence more produce?

that's my thoughts. what i do is not defoliation per se, just pruning. pruning involves defoliation, it also involves be-branching and shaping.

several people here are going to have to get a dictionary and look up senescent now.

 

[churchhaze]

There's a difference between cutting off leaves, cutting off branches, and cutting off young shoots.

Cutting off leaves is always wrong unless the leaves are totally burned up somehow. Cutting off branches is a waste of energy. The more massive the branch, the more energy wasted.

Cutting off young shoots as soon as you see them is either called topping or lollipopping depending whether it's done at the top of a branch or the bottom! This is done to shape the canopy and isn't considered defoliation or mutilation.. just careful planning!

You could just as easily call topping defoliating as you can call lollipopping defoliating.

 

[ServingSize1oz]

I de-stemmed and de-stalked my plants. Now, just straight, ready-to-smoke bud grows right on top of the soil like mushrooms.

I laughed my ass off.

 

[JBONESG]

I cut top leaves that block light to the low branches that have started growing....always will

 

[ServingSize1oz]

I have four plants the exact same size right now. I really want to defoliate two for science, but I'm not willing to hurt my plants like that. Sorry lol.

 

[JBONESG]

bet ur in soil
i run dwc 24/7 lights led 300 watts running 2 indicas and 2 hybrids... i did defoliating...on all of them and they are growing...better then if i wouldnt have,,, i got years growing in soil tho...the shock in the dwc system is not as bad as it is in the soil plus having mylar on all the walls helps also...but ur in soil...lol jk yeah i beleive in defoliation of leaves to supply more light to my lower branches.....

 

[Aeroknow]

You could just as easily call topping defoliating as you can call lollipopping defoliating.

How dare you!

that's my thoughts. what i do is not defoliation per se, just pruning. pruning involves defoliation

Blasphemy!

 

[ServingSize1oz]

Nope, coco coir actually. How can you really know if they're growing better than they would have without not defoliating one, ya know?

 

[JBONESG]

I have doen ti in both soila nd hydro...for soil i did ok..but hydro...seems like i could cut the stalk and it'll keep on growing!!!! but yeah that's not possible 20 dollars a month bill added...lol weak

 

[Uncle Ben]

funny, anyone who prunes fruit trees knows you prune for shape to open the center of the tree up, besides letting in more light to more sites, this increases air flow which makes for a healthier growing situation.

....half truth

 

[Uncle Ben]

...was not to show of my totally awesome indoor garden construction techniques, but rather to show how i prune plants for maximum indoor production.

Still sucks and both the butchering and lack of side reflectors confirms you're still the dumbnuts most think you are.

if i wanted to show off my construction techniques for indoor growing spaces, i would have posted some pics of my fully insulated, climate controlled, 10x16 4400 watt grow room.

Of course you "would have"

fucking jackass troll.

Pot calling kettle black comes to mind: https://www.rollitup.org/t/uncle-bens-topping-technique-to-get-2-or-4-main-colas.151706/page-285

Don't you have some race baiting drills to do? Run along boy, Al baby longs for your embrace.

 

[Uncle Ben]

if i can't convince you, maybe the university of california can.

http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8057.pdf

have you ever driven the I-5 though california? open center pruning reigns king there. seriously dude.

Have you ever driven through Riverside, Fallbrook? Why don't they open up fruit trees such as avocado? Or mango, or citrus or figs or fejioa......

Because there's a dozen different training methods developed for a specific goal or goals which can include the need for good marketable color, ease of harvesting to lower labor costs, field planting densities, type of plant material, etc. Just like there are dozens of ways to train grape vines with most folks going VSP, aka Vertical Shoot Positioning, like me. Why? Because it allows for excellent spray contact into the canopy, places the fruit zone in a position that is waist high for the laborer, provides good air flow/drainage. Like this:

 

[Uncle Ben]

I am simply seeking knowledge, I have read the input on many of these similar threads by the vocal and clearly experienced (naysayer) growers out there. I respect your opinions, but am yet to be convinced either way.

But you're "looking for love in all the wrong places". There is nothing factual or verifiable in cannabis forums, only conjecture and anecdotal evidence.

May I suggest you seek a non-partisan educational source like a university?

 

[Gquebed]

Pruning is one thing. Defoliating during flower is quite another.

So if we are talking about defoliating...who needs an scientific experiment. Do it yourself. Strip a flowing plant and see what happens. I did. I will never do it again....

Empirical evidence...

 

[JBONESG]

defoliated this and it bounced back this morning.....

 

[Uncle Ben]

So you set it back just to see if it would bounce back? Makes sense to me.

 

[JBONESG]

i think i helped it

 

[UncleBuck]

Still sucks and both the butchering and lack of side reflectors confirms you're still the dumbnuts most think you are.

i was thinking it confirmed that the rest of my lights were still 1300 miles away, but if you want to get petty and sidetrack rather than discuss the issue at hand, i love playing that game.

Don't you have some race baiting drills to do? Run along boy, Al baby longs for your embrace.

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don't you have a klan meeting to attend?

your hatred of minorities and frequent usage of racial slurs is well documented, uncle benis.

 

[UncleBuck]

....half truth

tell us more about this open center pruning conspiracy that thousands of california farmers are wreaking havoc on millions of trees with then, uncle benis.

maybe after you get done, you can grace us all with more sage advice, such as "give the plant what it needs" and "keep the plant healthy", while eternally dodging a single specific answer, ever.

fucking jackass troll.