Cut fan leaves on indica?

I currently have a Mad Man OG growing and the leaves on this thing are ridiculous. Most are bigger then my hand, the fan leaves are larger then my head. I've read some people trim them to allow better growth to lower sections, but I've also heard people say to not cut anything off if it's not dead.

Suggestions/opinions?

I had a AK cross with leaves as big as pie plates. Unfortunately I do not have room for a plant with leaves that big so I cut them off. Ripped 4 oz dried off it in a 3 gallon pot so i'm assuming it wasn't harmed too much.

I defoilate when it is needed and I don't when it isn't. My 2 cents.

If I have the room and lighting for it, should I keep it? My only concern really it the lower part of the plant.

Bucees said:

I had a AK cross with leaves as big as pie plates. Unfortunately I do not have room for a plant with leaves that big so I cut them off. Ripped 4 oz dried off it in a 3 gallon pot so i'm assuming it wasn't harmed too much.

I defoilate when it is needed and I don't when it isn't. My 2 cents.

Click to expand...

i disagree that its helping much and im well versed in the very old argument..
since it makes little to no difference why torture the plant and not just let it be free in its growth and natural progression ?
the reason is in your own journey into the plant so im no-one to say its right or wrong.

i now get great satisfation in the plant being itself and i will grow them to full height on the balcony when i go to Uruguay.
Towering sativas and armys of Indicas...

but your yields clearly show you know what your doing and im interested in every different way of doing things.
In Uruguay im allowed 6 plants . I will grow them using 6 diff methods.

its all about seeing what can work since our plants evolutionary rate is so incredible many things will be possible !

Holy Grail 888 said:

i disagree that its helping much and im well versed in the very old argument..
since it makes little to no difference why torture the plant and not just let it be free in its growth and natural progression ?/QUOTE]

Click to expand...

I wasn't implying that it helped at all. It just didn't seem to harm my overall yield. I would have rather not cut off the leaves, but was given no choice due to space constraints.

Bucees said:

I wasn't implying that it helped at all. It just didn't seem to harm my overall yield. I would have rather not cut off the leaves, but was given no choice due to space constraints.

Click to expand...

oh i get ya.

For me,I leave all the leaves on the plant. I keep them green all the way to harvest. They are there for a reason. The leaves are the solar panels and grocery store for the buds. The plant doesn't grow leaves for the hell of it,they have a purpose. If you can,leave them they "power" bud production.
Hope this helps
Keep em green


Polo

IMO, defoliation is never, ever "needed", as it is always counterproductive...but of course this is only my opinion.

They are your plants, do as you wish!

100% strain dependant. Only way to know is take multiple clones, defoliate half and leave the other. Also some plants can take a serious hackjob and be fine, others will stress....

I defoliate only on the canopy in ky scrog. I also lollypop so less defoliating is needed. It may not help my yield, but the consistency of my bud is the same throughout the plant, and i see more rwsin production when all bud sights are getting light.

Ive also had plants that like their bud sights to be shielded and didnt lioe defoliating

polo the don said:

For me,I leave all the leaves on the plant. I keep them green all the way to harvest. They are there for a reason. The leaves are the solar panels and grocery store for the buds. The plant doesn't grow leaves for the hell of it,they have a purpose. If you can,leave them they "power" bud production.
Hope this helps
Keep em green


Polo

Click to expand...

I am not saying anyone is right or wrong, But this is what I come to understand. These plants has lived Countless ages. it is Genetically code to put as much out to survive, The best chance in the wild is to over due. Now Since us humans have been cultivating these plant, Its only going to change, to adapt. Now I am not suggesting that its done overnight.

My entire point is, If its meant to survive and its doing the most it can do, That is ok in the wild. Yet we grow them in perfect ( or near ) situations. So I would think it be ok to cut the leaves down. If you would like to see what happens, please view my journal. Every Grow I have had, I have almost made it "Naked" plant.

Another way to look at it, We break our bones. We get stronger bones. Most things in this word gets stronger through small amounts of stress.