one more time for all you slow people
...defoliation is STRAIN related...some like it and respond good..... some don't and it effects the yield
only way to tell is experiment with your strain
some strains grow great without any defoliation, like this monster
I get the most yield when I don't touch my plants.... unless its to strip off dead or yellowing leaves or until the last 2-3 weeks of flower
I can get 2 ozers plants out of a party cup and 12 ozer plants out of a 3 gallon potter
look ma..... no defoliation...these averaged 5 ozers a plant...2 gallon pots