Am I too late to defoliate and how much should I take off?

[HandyGringo]

I've defoliated it a bit during veg, but it's not nearly enough.

I should have mainlined it but that's a lesson for next year. I believe it's done stretching.

The goal would be to limit popcorn buds and make sure the main colas get nice and big and juicy,

 

[Stiickygreen]

Everyone plays differently. I personally only take off the yellowing fans...which you are starting to see now on that girl....and anything on the inside that won't get direct sunlight. A lot of stuff is going to fall off naturally from here on out. I'd be wary of stripping em down like indoor grows/taking off too much. The other thought is that BIG colas are magnets for mold/bud rot/etc. Depending on where you are....big colas may not be optimal....and they are gonna get big anyway...

good luck

 

[conor c]

I've defoliated it a bit during veg, but it's not nearly enough.

I should have mainlined it but that's a lesson for next year. I believe it's done stretching.

The goal would be to limit popcorn buds and make sure the main colas get nice and big and juicy,

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Your outdoors unless it's for airflow I wouldn't bother the sun penetrates better than grow lights so u could take a few off if you must I just don't like doing it in bloom I try to get the haircuts done in veg myself mate

 

[Star Dog]

Imo popcorn buds are more likely created by removing leafs, you're robing the plant of ability to grow, it's leafs that grow big dense buds.

Hiding under the shaggy exterior lol.


According to my own observations removing them directly affects root growth and slows down upper growth, slowing growth is my primary reason for defoliation. Its all done before settling into flowering where possible I like a full canopy after stretching.

Don't get me started on the multiple other roles leafs play like co2 absorption, transpiration and storing starch that gets used during the dark period, it's scientifically verifiable with a iodine starch test not to mention we've all seen yellowing plants after prolonged dark periods.

 

[conor c]

Imo popcorn buds are more likely created by removing leafs, you're robing the plant of ability to grow, it's leafs that grow big dense buds.
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Hiding under the shaggy exterior lol.
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According to my own observations removing them directly affects root growth and slows down upper growth, slowing growth is my primary reason for defoliation. Its all done before settling into flowering where possible I like a full canopy after stretching.

Don't get me started on the multiple other roles leafs play like co2 absorption, transpiration and storing starch that gets used during the dark period, it's scientifically verifiable with a iodine starch test not to mention we've all seen yellowing plants after prolonged dark periods.

I think he first reason for the whole defoliation thing was when the Dutch grew all crammed in sea of green hps no hoods bare bulbs no side branches to shade nothing just buds on a stick so you pack em in more with the fastest return I can understand removing foliage to cut down maybe on moisture/dew a bit outdoors with a plant with a very closed canopy but definitely not for light penetration value the sun makes it through the leaves fine your right man defoliation or topping or anything like that though it can serve a purpose it will slow your plant down a bit for sure I guess how much depends on the strain/gen some take it in there stride better than others some aren't so hardy and take longer to bounce back