Defoliating? Pros and Cons
- Thread starter tpc_mikey
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chemphlegm
Well-Known Member
define defoliate for a more precise answer?
tpc_mikey
Well-Known Member
hmmm thought defoliate was a pretty definitive term but ok Removing all the big fan leaves loldefine defoliate for a more precise answer?
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
why?
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
more leaves, more photosynthesis, more growth.
dargd1
Well-Known Member
Defoliating just to do it doesnt make sense at all. Removing leafs from a plant should be done only if needed for specific reasons i.e way too thick foliage causing air circulation issues, light issues lower on the plant, mould/mildew issues etc... It is silly to defoliate just because it seems like the thing to do. The plant will shed what it doesnt need anymore.
Just my 2 cents.
ShLUbY
Well-Known Member
^^^^ this for sure. one of the more sensible posts i've ever seen about defoliation lol. and also as mentioned above.... leaves are how the plant makes its food! only defoliate when it seems beneficial, otherwise leave it the fuck alone
chemphlegm
Well-Known Member
I've never seen any harm or losses doing what you are doing. I grow trees sometimes and lollipop all the way up even, I suppose I could be a hypocritical defoliator dammit!
training, horticultural practices, topiary, seems fine to me. pullling all leaves off except for buds is stupid imo.
yours look great! I wouldnt call those defoliated
Los Reefersaurus
Well-Known Member
it is fine if you don't fuck up. The argument for is fresh growth is say 80% efficient and old growth is 10-20% efficient . So if your old leaves are blocking new leaves than there is some reason. HOWEVER,,, if you you fuck up and have a lock out , over water and hurt the roots , or over heat , ect then your plant uses these older leaves as storehouses of sugars and some nutrients like N, P,K, Mag , ect. So if I guess what I am saying is, do you feel lucky punk?\
greasemonkeymann
Well-Known Member
well, all i gotta say is that I've barked at this tree before...
i think i'll sit this one out
Problem is many growers see their plants produce buds regardless, and almost in spite of their growing acumen.
so they lollipop like mad, their plant still grows (cuz plants are resilient) and then naturally they think it's because of the defoliation.
pretty sure anyone with a basic botanical understanding wouldn't even consider it.
i think i'll sit this one out
Problem is many growers see their plants produce buds regardless, and almost in spite of their growing acumen.
so they lollipop like mad, their plant still grows (cuz plants are resilient) and then naturally they think it's because of the defoliation.
pretty sure anyone with a basic botanical understanding wouldn't even consider it.
tpc_mikey
Well-Known Member
Well im in agreeance with everything said so far, i have taken maybe 20 to 30 fan leaves off this plant over its 70day life simply to get some light to lower areas when i scrogged it i took maybe 10 or so to open up lite to some bud sites but would never go nuts and remove 60 to 70% of them like some people do, i agree these are the heart of the plant pumping nutes sugars and creating photosynthesis and furthering your plant to grow bigger and healthier, i was simply asking as someone on another board suggested i cut the majority of my fans off and i said hell no and he quoted some U of mississippi research bull shit lol. Ill do it the old fashioned way and LITFA other than removing dieing or unbeneficial leaves. Thanks for all the responses
chemphlegm
Well-Known Member
lollipopping makes much sense in say a scrog, every thing under neath a well grown woven net should and is trimmed of in a big way, necessary for great air flow, hassle free watering and pest control/monitoring.
I lollipop too to keep any buds from getting splashed and damaged by my watering wand, the only ones me twisted fingers can operate comfortably, but messy sometimes, and lollipopping makes this easier for me, fuck that growth , thats what veggin is for
I lollipop too to keep any buds from getting splashed and damaged by my watering wand, the only ones me twisted fingers can operate comfortably, but messy sometimes, and lollipopping makes this easier for me, fuck that growth , thats what veggin is for
Thai_Lights
Well-Known Member
IMO - if you are confident in you're growing practices and think you won't get lockout in bloom then get rid of the dinky bud sites and a lot of the undergrowth. That's asking for PM where I'm from. Just my opinion cheers...
Ask him for a link.