Is it okay to defoliate right after flipping to 12/12?

I just flipped the light schedule to 12/12 four days ago. My canopy is a bit too thick for my liking, and I want to ensure that the there is adequate light penetration on the bud sites. I know I'm going to have to defoliate and lollipop after the stretch, but can I also defoliate now as well? Will this stress the plant too much as it's trying to focus on pistil production?

Yes you can defoliate.

It all depends, I believe only taking the biggest fan leafs when needed slowly. Some people go to town, but I notice buds are bigger on plants less stressed out. But it depends on so many growing types and lights, SROG, SOG or topped. afew times. It all depends on the strains and how you do it. You have a picture?

TheFinisher said:

It all depends, I believe only taking the biggest fan leafs when needed slowly. Some people go to town, but I notice buds are bigger on plants less stressed out. But it depends on so many growing types and lights, SROG, SOG or topped. afew times. It all depends on the strains and how you do it. You have a picture?

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I can get a picture of them tomorrow. I would love to get general feedback on how they're looking too!

I would just take a few to open it up then day 21 do everything you need to do

TheFinisher said:

It all depends, I believe only taking the biggest fan leafs when needed slowly. Some people go to town, but I notice buds are bigger on plants less stressed out. But it depends on so many growing types and lights, SROG, SOG or topped. afew times. It all depends on the strains and how you do it. You have a picture?

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Here is how they are looking currently. I decided to do a light defoliation like ab2t2000 mentioned. There are before and after images, I'm pleased with how it went. I included the last picture to show how big they are getting, because I'm a bit worried they will grow too tall. I still have more room to move the light up, so I think it might just be perfect, but thought I would mention that in case anyone has any feedback they'd like to offer. They are about 5 days after the flip to 12/12. Thank you to everyone who has responded already, it is much appreciated!!

I would be taking out branches not leafs out of that canopy. You could cut out all of those secondary branches off the main branches now and not stress them.

Roguedawg said:

I would be taking out branches not leafs out of that canopy. You could cut out all of those secondary branches off the main branches now and not stress them.

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Thanks for the reply. I intend to take off branches after the stretch, but I will consider doing it earlier. I guess you are implying that the canopy is too dense. I’m hoping for a large yield, so maybe I got carried away with the training and vegging. This is my first time growing in a tent. If you don’t mind me asking for your input, how is the height looking? Should I be concerned that they may grow too tall?

You shouldnt be topping when you flipped them its one thing taking off the odd leaf thats another matter next time round do all your topping in veg and take at as a lesson learned ideally you do next to nothing in bloom fair doos they take a week or two to transition to bloom but you dont wanna stress em too much ideally even then imo

Yea its real dense, but thats fine you can thin out the branches to a nice even canopy and not have to defoliate. Your height looks good, you may have the light jacked up to the top by the end of the stretch but you should be fine. Plants look healthy.