I'm giving you Northern states outdoor grow secret here. Plant on the East side of a building within 20 feet. Will help to early flower and possibly actually finish without help. Not hemp friendly in the north. Gives you a 2 week head start and some protection from the winds.
That's my goal. Light equals energy. And I believe mature lower shade leaves take more than they give. Just can't recall the thesis paper and study I read.
Yea, I think some of the controversy around defoliation comes from light type. LED doesn't penitrate as well as hps so weed under an LED benifits from some trimming where its not needed as much with hps.
Having come from a time before HID I don't agree. Example being: What happens when you top? You get double the growth. Same principles apply to "defoliating". We called it defensive growth when I worked in a commercial greenhouse 35 years ago. It's a natural defense response to natural predation. How else would the plant survive in the wild? A lot of really high level growers are clueless. Yet they all promote topping??????
I forgot to ask if HPS don't cast shadows. Sorry.
My yard faces east to west. veggie garden is out of hand.
Yes. Flowering? Yes. Everything but my fall blooming decorative flowers.
Thanks for the memories. Makes me want to put on my bell bottoms and get out the black light!
I catch a break in the rain and feed. Never had a problem. That's average rain. Not storming downpours.
Mine made it through the deluge and long standing ponds last year. My raised bed was a fish pond for a week.
Pretty sure it's the latter. Look at an orange tree. Huge ripe fruit on the tree that get no direct light. Leaves are also an insurance policy for the plant in case of deficiency or pest.
