I need to defoliate but im too scared!!

Yo I can't do it! Why didn't anyone express how hard it is for a virgin grower to lollipop and do extreme defoliation. This is my first grow and I can't do it. Lollipoping and extreme defoliating is definitely for experienced growers because it's giving me mental stress. I know I need to cut them more but I can't and maybe this is something new growers have to go through so they see the real benifits of lollipoping and aggressive defoliating. I'm 25 days into flower. Strain is Archive Seeds Amnesia x Dosiodos#18 Photos

Do yall think it's too late to lollipop or do aggressive defoliation? I think I was supposed to do it before flower anyway! If not I can take some shots, fill a bowl, put on eye of the tiger and boss up and make it happen, while crying the entire time.

It's mental I know, I have bonded with them and I don't even know how I'm gonna cut them down at the end! I figure I'll have a ceremony before I do it to make me feel better lol the plants don't care...or do they!

Anyways I'm curious though how bad is it to leave the bottom larf and leaves. These 2 are for my personal enjoyment so it's OK if the buds are tiny but is there any health reason to lollipoping? Or will this just be my learning experience?

Also I have defoliated but not major and it hurt my soul to cut them up like that!

Shave those legs !

swedsteven said:

Shave those legs !

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So it's not too late?

Would it help to know you're reducing your harvest by not cleaning where the light won't reach?

Never to late to shave this beautiful lady ....

curious2garden said:

Would it help to know you're reducing your harvest by not cleaning where the light won't reach?

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Yeah that will definitely encourage me to get it done but would a double harvest help if I don't shave her?

I assume they are photos… it is suggested to defol and prune just before flip and 3 wks into flower. So, I think you may be in that window. Don’t worry, the buds are already growing so clean it up underneath and any large fans left… then let her do what she does

Nikkiliciousj said:

Yeah that will definitely encourage me to get it done but would a double harvest help if I don't shave her?

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Those small buds that don’t get good light will fatten but never get big. Even with a staggered harvest. Energy to them is less to tops.

Kindbud421 said:

I assume they are photos… it is suggested to defol and prune just before flip and 3 wks into flower. So, I think you may be in that window. Don’t worry, the buds are already growing so clean it up underneath and any large fans left… then let her do what she does

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Yeap they are Photos. Ok, I'm getting the hype and reccommendations from yall I think I'm ready to play eye of the tiger! And Boss up!

Kindbud421 said:

Those small buds that don’t get good light will fatten but never get big. Even with a staggered harvest. Energy to them is less to tops.

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Ok thanx for this! Good to know!

I would get rid of the small branches near the bottom, the real thin ones that will never make it up high and that will always be skinny, so that the main branches are clean, up maybe 10 inches or so and leave what looks like it will produce. Take whatever leaves you feel the need to remove. I wouldn't worry about anything bad happening, I have broken branches and just taped them tight and they healed and grew fine, but the later you mess with it the less time for plant recovery.

UncleJesse said:

I would get rid of the small branches near the bottom, the real thin ones that will never make it up high and that will always be skinny, so that the main branches are clean, up maybe 10 inches or so and leave what looks like it will produce. Take whatever leaves you feel the need to remove. I wouldn't worry about anything bad happening, I have broken branches and just taped them tight and they healed and grew fine, but the later you mess with it the less time for plant recovery.

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Awesome thanks!

UncleJesse said:

I would get rid of the small branches near the bottom, the real thin ones that will never make it up high and that will always be skinny, so that the main branches are clean, up maybe 10 inches or so and leave what looks like it will produce. Take whatever leaves you feel the need to remove. I wouldn't worry about anything bad happening, I have broken branches and just taped them tight and they healed and grew fine, but the later you mess with it the less time for plant recovery.

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I was just gonna say, go for the twiggy branches/stems with just one or two tiny buds on them first. Those are energy "sinks" that probably won't be worth the effort it takes to grow them. Cleaning those out of the bottom/middle will improve airflow especially in late flower.

If it's your first grow I would leave as many leaves as possible, especially the big fan leaves. Those will be energy "sources" down the road, the plant can cannibalize them if you run into a deficiency or lockout (which most often pop up in mid-flower).

weedstoner420 said:

I was just gonna say, go for the twiggy branches/stems with just one or two tiny buds on them first. Those are energy "sinks" that probably won't be worth the effort it takes to grow them. Cleaning those out of the bottom/middle will improve airflow especially in late flower.

If it's your first grow I would leave as many leaves as possible, especially the big fan leaves. Those will be energy "sources" down the road, the plant can cannibalize them if you run into a deficiency or lockout (which most often pop up in mid-flower).

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Sweet! I was worried I would mess up bad since this is my first grow and I need the leaves to help balance out my F$#@ ups but this is good to know! Thanks!

I can stare at a branch for like 20 mins deciding lol. GL

What do you mean by "see the real benefit of aggressive defoliation?" What would that benefit be?

Defoliation is now hard? Jfc

xtsho said:

What do you mean by "see the real benefit of aggressive defoliation?" What would that benefit be?

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More energy to the tops only bro. Don’t you watch utube?

xtsho said:

What do you mean by "see the real benefit of aggressive defoliation?" What would that benefit be?

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Isn't lollipoping aggressive defoliation or no? I thought it was since your removing all the fan leaves, small stems, and small buds at the bottom! I'm assuming if I don't do aggressive defoliation I'm not going to have a big harvest and will learn the hard way.

Nikkiliciousj said:

Isn't lollipoping aggressive defoliation or no? I thought it was since your removing all the fan leaves, small stems, and small buds at the bottom! I'm assuming if I don't do aggressive defoliation I'm not going to have a big harvest and will learn the hard way.

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Lolipopping is removing the small sucker branches at the bottom only. Why would you want to remove all the leaves? I suggest you read up on how photosynthesis works.