Defoliating In flower??
- Thread starter Red4twenty
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Flowki
Well-Known Member
This is always a subjective topic with cana growers, that is often the only objective part about it. If you know more about it (read more from actual botanists) it isn't so subjective. The problem is, plants are not meant to be grown indoor. Because of that, inefficiency arises. Within that spectrum of inefficiency is two paths.
Firstly, If the plants are given enough space and are structured correctly (left naturally or in a wide V shape if topped) then you will not have any reason to defoliate leaves assuming applicable AC control. You ''could'' remove lower bud sites but the leaves can be left alone and they will drop off when they are done, giving the plant some nutrients, as far as read. The issue with this is not many people leave a plant alone although it is the best structure outdoor in order to catch light and also have good airflow/avoid wind stress/other plant competition etc. Who are we going to argue with on that one, millions of years worth of nature?. We know that indoor topping or some form increases yield (yield is a subjective goal to humans, not nature) due to light limitation but also some other reasons we don't need to get into. Topping techniques may increase yield but also increase humidity pockets if not done properly.
The second path is that you show a lot less regard to plant structure or spacing and focus entirely on lst/mass topping and/or mass numbers to fill the space. This will give you maximum leaf to optimal light surface but you will have a very unoptimised canopy in regulating humidity pockets, and that will effect over all health and respiration on top of rot.
The more leaves you have in ''optimal'' light range the better, that is unquestionable.
The first option takes more skill, in order to keep the correct spacing/structure while also getting the max potential of leaves into optimal reach of the light while not requiring any defoliation. If you get that wrong you will yield less, but, you never stress the plant so finishing times (speculated) will be on time on top of a lot less chance of rot, hermie and so forth.
The second path I would define as ''lazier'' or ''lack of knowledge'' and will force you to do defoliation during flower. That will stress the plant guaranteed, to the degree of the severity you hav to defoliate. But, after the defoliation you will likely have the max potential of leaves to light. That may or may not make up for the stresses, but I personally find it a risky way of going about it.
The pictures above are not a fair argument (although not wrong) as they are outdoor and everything is different then. Although they somewhat back up what I am getting at, a lot more care is required indoor to gain the same effect, not that more care is a good thing. But outdoor do have more to worry about in pests etc so 6 n' 3s
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Can't compare an OD grow of tree's to a 4x4 scrog in a tent under artificial light on this subject.2 different animals.
When ya got it like that fella up above me leave that shit be and let nature take it's course out in nature.If you're inside you are playing god.....do what you find works.Not the same game so the same rules don't apply.
When ya got it like that fella up above me leave that shit be and let nature take it's course out in nature.If you're inside you are playing god.....do what you find works.Not the same game so the same rules don't apply.
xtsho
Well-Known Member
First off let me say that my "don't have a clue" remark was a little out of line. But the fact remains that a plant will take what it needs as it grows. Removing leaves does not send energy to the buds. Leaves provide energy. Photosynthesis 101.
I leave all the leaves and get huge buds because they are the engines of the plant.
I've posted these images before but I'll do it again. Not a single leaf was cut. 600 watt hps. Plants crammed into a 4 x 4 tent. No defoliation and huge buds thanks to the leaves turning light, water, and carbon dioxide into food for the plant.
Flowki
Well-Known Member
Big plants are not intimidating and don't automatically make you right as you seem to imply. I've done tree surgery on things a damn lot higher, but that doesn't make me an expert in all things tree. Not that you are wrong.. but it's the tone, so to speak.
rsvp_gardens
Well-Known Member
Fat colas of quality buds.... I'll just leave these here
CannaBruh
Well-Known Member
Pictures are beautiful but they don't replace or take away from other's observations & experiences. Each has its place. If you don't get mold or PM growing dense leafy canopies, congratulations!
If you can get nice chunked up tops stripping all the leaves off, wonderful!
If you can get nice chunked up tops stripping all the leaves off, wonderful!
ANC
Well-Known Member
In my experience the worse the run, the more need there is for leaf stripping, to harden the few small nugs you have.This past winter, the cold slowed things down a lot. Defoliation saved me.
Everything I didn't strip stayed fluffy. cause it was hidden in the leaves, not stretching even.
Also, it can be a tool in humidity management. When your equipment cannot keep up with humidity levels, removing a bit of surface area, sure helps keep the white stuff away.
Everything I didn't strip stayed fluffy. cause it was hidden in the leaves, not stretching even.
Also, it can be a tool in humidity management. When your equipment cannot keep up with humidity levels, removing a bit of surface area, sure helps keep the white stuff away.
Flowki
Well-Known Member
You know that's having the opposite effect right?.
ANC
Well-Known Member
He would need a weed whacker
First off let me say that my "don't have a clue" remark was a little out of line. But the fact remains that a plant will take what it needs as it grows. Removing leaves does not send energy to the buds. Leaves provide energy. Photosynthesis 101.
I leave all the leaves and get huge buds because they are the engines of the plant.
I've posted these images before but I'll do it again. Not a single leaf was cut. 600 watt hps. Plants crammed into a 4 x 4 tent. No defoliation and huge buds thanks to the leaves turning light, water, and carbon dioxide into food for the plant.
Yep....chunky buds for sure,nice job.
What did every thing underneath what can be seen in that photo look like though?Not stripping any thing for sure provided you with some meat,that got exposed to your light.And i do believe(strain dependent)by stripping heavily or at the wrong time colas can suffer on yield but lower nugs get more meat to them so it almost evens out in the end.By stripping leaves i am able to keep shoots on plants that i would normally cut of as the would only amount to larf.Opening up the upper canopy to allow light to lower plant material allows that smaller stuff to turn out much better.So it's just a trade off.
Kingrow1
Well-Known Member
Your plants health has really suffered which is pretty obvious to everyone, for you defoliating has relieved the moisture stress so less leaves for you lot is making you think your plants grew better.
If you have loads of popxorn train better or grow shorter plants or get bigger lights, since when was defoliating a thing that sorts out ill thought out grows.
Air flow - i have excellent air exchange, no whete in my tent has stagnant air (except trapped between two leaves). I dont need to cut of the lower half of my plant because it nay needs any more air flow.
I feel you use defoliating to work through problems not as an effective energy/yeilsmd redirector.
Years back many defoliated to check if less leaves meant bigger buds, it didnt and the pros that did it were pissed at the small yeilds and trolled the myth fools of the site.
I cant say more but you can work out why defoliating helps newbies just through relieving your moisture stress.
Personally your plant is not healthy enough at harvest to asdume you skilled enough to become an authority on defoliating - chlorophyll is everything dude
rsvp_gardens
Well-Known Member
Well said!!
rsvp_gardens
Well-Known Member
Do you even grow? They look the way they do because of the flush...….. these phots were taken literally minutes before harvest...….Your plants health has really suffered which is pretty obvious to everyone, for you defoliating has relieved the moisture stress so less leaves for you lot is making you think your plants grew better.
If you have loads of popxorn train better or grow shorter plants or get bigger lights, since when was defoliating a thing that sorts out ill thought out grows.
Air flow - i have excellent air exchange, no whete in my tent has stagnant air (except trapped between two leaves). I dont need to cut of the lower half of my plant because it nay needs any more air flow.
I feel you use defoliating to work through problems not as an effective energy/yeilsmd redirector.
Years back many defoliated to check if less leaves meant bigger buds, it didnt and the pros that did it were pissed at the small yeilds and trolled the myth fools of the site.
I cant say more but you can work out why defoliating helps newbies just through relieving your moisture stress.
Personally your plant is not healthy enough at harvest to asdume you skilled enough to become an authority on defoliating - chlorophyll is everything dude
Flowki
Well-Known Member
Next level irony ;p. How long do you flush for?.
I shouldn't mock, but think of it as an angled version of educating, since directly isn't working.
Look closer at the fan leaves in the first picture. They are burnt and twisted. Plant physiology does not change because a plant is grown indoors. There are some nods to husbandry because we don't have the sun, however stripping fans is depriving your plant of the energy produced by those leaves. Mobile nutrients are stored in those fans, used and discarded as the plant grows. It's like throwing away charged batteries!