A 400 will penetrate 24 inches. Not 3 ft, If you need 3 ft you need a 600.400 watts are good for 3ft. You need another 400 to add into the mix. Grow smaller plants anyway. Try tucking leaves under branches or supercrop the petioles so they're out of the way. Cut them off if they block colas.
I don't care if they are unhealthy, leave them be until they are ready to fall off on there own with a gentle tug.Look at the leaves real closely. Are they in the way of anything? Do they look dead or unhealthy? I'm with Muffy and Wiseguy on this. Don't cut unless there is an obvious need for it. If you do need to cut them, use sharp scissors that have been sterilized.
Best of luck buddy,
- Vin
I stand by my guess.A 400 will penetrate 24 inches. Not 3 ft, If you need 3 ft you need a 600.
If you feed your plant it wont need to eat its leavesWhen a plant gets deficient , where does it pull from the bottom of the plant. Let them do their job , even if they die in the process.
Even if the 400 watt light penetrate down to them they are still a survival food.