Looking for guidance on defoliation [first time grow]

First time grower here. I've got 24 plants growing, currently on day 26 of flower (approaching week 4). It's going quite well so far but I let the plants veg a bit too long and didn't trim them enough before the flip. I've been defoliating lightly during flower, focusing only on lower growth, but I think the upper parts need some defoliating too as the canopy is very dense.

I've read beginners should avoid defoliating the upper part, but I don't think I have much of a choice so I'm turning to you guys for tips . My plan is to keep the defoliation as light as possible and only remove some of the big leaves that are shading lower growth. What do guys think?

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The canopy is quite thick as you can see. I have 2 fans running to help prevent powdery mildew and such.


Lower growth is being shaded. Do I trim the leaves above them so they get more light?

You are getting late for defol. But I suggest cleaning up below the 5th or 6th node from the top over the next couple of days. Wash your hands and sterilize your shears.

Lolipop method here. And you'll hear from the non guys soon. Looking good other than density being a bit excessive.

MICHI-CAN said:

You are getting late for defol. But I suggest cleaning up below the 5th or 6th node from the top over the next couple of days. Wash your hands and sterilize your shears.

Lolipop method here. And you'll hear from the non guys soon. Looking good other than density being a bit excessive.

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Here I am!

I don't cut a single leaf.

MICHI-CAN said:

You are getting late for defol. But I suggest cleaning up below the 5th or 6th node from the top over the next couple of days. Wash your hands and sterilize your shears.

Lolipop method here. And you'll hear from the non guys soon. Looking good other than density being a bit excessive.

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Thanks for the quick reply! Alright so I should keep doing some lolipopping under the canopy and clean up a little on the top. Do you recommend not cutting anything too high up on the plant? Like at the very top nodes?

Volker said:

Thanks for the quick reply! Alright so I should keep doing some lolipopping under the canopy and clean up a little on the top. Do you recommend not cutting anything too high up on the plant? Like at the very top nodes?

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If you go defol I would not touch anything in the top 1/3 of plant. And never any growing leaves close to that. Only mature ones unless a problem.

@xtsho is a master of not trimming. Hear him out a minute. LOL.

Peace.

xtsho said:

Here I am!

I don't cut a single leaf.

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Greetings friend! Would you still not cut anything if you were maintaining a canopy like the one above? Or would you maybe just have flipped them earlier so they didn't get this big

MICHI-CAN said:

If you go defol I would not touch anything in the top 1/3 of plant. And never any growing leaves close to that. Only mature ones unless a problem.

@xtsho is a master of not trimming. Hear him out a minute. LOL.

Peace.

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Alright that sounds good! Thanks for the tips!

For sure, I know there are many different approaches to the art of growing these beauties and I'm interested in hearing everyone's viewpoint on it

Volker said:

Greetings friend! Would you still not cut anything if you were maintaining a canopy like the one above? Or would you maybe just have flipped them earlier so they didn't get this big

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You can clean up the bottom but you don't want to take any of those beautiful leaves up towards the top off. You can always tuck them down if you're worried about them blocking bud sites. Actually it doesn't look like you're having that problem or will.

Nice looking plants. I hope you end up with a great harvest.

xtsho said:

You can clean up the bottom but you don't want to take any of those beautiful leaves up towards the top off. You can always tuck them down if you're worried about them blocking bud sites. Actually it doesn't look like you're having that problem or will.

Nice looking plants. I hope you end up with a great harvest.

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Interesting that you're both giving the green light (no pun intended) on trimming the very bottom. Guess I'll start with that! After that I might try to tucking down as much as possible and cut the parts (if any) that can't be tucked.

Thanks! Hope so too!

Just out of curiosity, have any of you @MICHI-CAN @xtsho tried experimenting with both methods (defo vs no defo) and compared yields?

Volker said:

Just out of curiosity, have any of you @MICHI-CAN @xtsho tried experimenting with both methods (defo vs no defo) and compared yields?

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I find better average size. Not better yields so to speak with lolli. I like consistent palm size buds. And not for profit lets me grow for my tastes.

It is only wrong if it dies or you are not happy with the results thing. LOL. Best of luck.

Volker said:

Just out of curiosity, have any of you @MICHI-CAN @xtsho tried experimenting with both methods (defo vs no defo) and compared yields?

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Years ago when I had a much larger grow I did do both. But I never cut the top leaves. I stopped doing it because I wasn't getting a bigger yield so I didn't spend the time doing it. I was working full time and had a basement grow. Time was in short supply back then unlike today. Since then I've just let them grow. I'll cut the leaves when I harvest.

But the leaves you have now at the top are what's going to power the flower.

Leaf them alone
That canopy is fine its not busy, it needs left alone imo.

You don't want to remove leafs from the top 2/3rds beside the odd awkward ones.

It's the leafs that make the goods the buds are a by product of that, I don't get exposing bud sites at the cost of leafs.

You can see its farthest from the light the bud never seen light per se only the leafs and tops.

I agree pretty much with everything already said. The only reason I do any defoliation is to help increase air circulation within the canopy, which is crucial in an enclosed space like a small tent. The only other time is if a fan leaf is perfectly covering a prime bud site and it refuses to stay tucked away. Direct exposure to light makes nice hard frosty buds-which is why a lot of people stagger their harvest-they take the primo top buds off to dry first, then they let the buds that were covered by the canopy "cook" in direct light for a couple more weeks. I think it's a good practice but I don't usually do it because I like hanging my entire plant to dry. Good luck!!

Thanks for all the helpful guidance all of you! Based on all of your answers I decided to trim some of the lower growth to help with airflow. The rest will be left alone until harvest. They're approaching week 5 of flower now and the buds smell delicious! I've never grown cannabis before so I was worried the smell was going to be too distinctive, but it smells like exotic fruit lol!

Volker said:

First time grower here. I've got 24 plants growing, currently on day 26 of flower (approaching week 4). It's going quite well so far but I let the plants veg a bit too long and didn't trim them enough before the flip. I've been defoliating lightly during flower, focusing only on lower growth, but I think the upper parts need some defoliating too as the canopy is very dense.

I've read beginners should avoid defoliating the upper part, but I don't think I have much of a choice so I'm turning to you guys for tips . My plan is to keep the defoliation as light as possible and only remove some of the big leaves that are shading lower growth. What do guys think?

(Images and extra details below)

View attachment 4880472 View attachment 4880473 View attachment 4880474 View attachment 4880475
The canopy is quite thick as you can see. I have 2 fans running to help prevent powdery mildew and such.

View attachment 4880483 View attachment 4880484
Lower growth is being shaded. Do I trim the leaves above them so they get more light?

Click to expand...

“First time grower, I have 24 plants” hahaha they look mighty healthy dude. No feedback just wanted to laugh a bit, good job!

AbsoluteNoob said:

“First time grower, I have 24 plants” hahaha they look mighty healthy dude. No feedback just wanted to laugh a bit, good job!

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Hahaha! Well you know what they say: go big or go home

Thanks!