Should I defoliate?

[Lornporn]

I have a NL auto and was considering defoliation because of how thick it has gotten. Should I defoliate or just leave it alone? Its on day 57 from sprout.

 

[turbobuzz]

My opinion would be to only take the leaves off if they look unhealthy. I don't think defoliation does the plant any favors.

 

[CannaCountry]

Strategic removal perhaps, but a defoliation, in your case; I'd pass. Let us know what you decide. Good luck.

 

[Dumbguyneedshelp]

I was wondering the same thing here...

 

[Richard Drysift]

You can target the leaves deep inside or under heavy canopy but wait until they yellow off first. In the final weeks just before chop you can pull off any dead or shriveled fans. Otherwise never pull off healthy green leaves during flowering without good reason.
Early defoliation during bloom phase can result in smaller buds. The exception is plants still in veg; you can always just let them grow back if you cut off too much while the plants are still in growth phase. Sometimes if you are training out a lanky plant it's better to top and prune to promote lush new growth and tight nodal spacing.

 

[ubluntu]

If it's causing bad air flow, do it to prevent rot and PM.

 

[buyyouabeer]

Careful with any thing that might stunt your autoflower. You have a limited window of time and anything you do to it during that will reduce your final harvest. I personally never take any leaves off my plants (not autos), they will consume them towards the end as needed.

 

[Kingrow1]

If it's causing bad air flow, do it to prevent rot and PM.

In a tent with A1 extraction it really isnt

 

[Mr Lizard]

Some people say not to trim back. Some swear by it. I usually trim off the shades when the nodes get over 2-3 inches long. otherwise under lights where if you check with a meter you can see how they are really limiting the lumens. In response to anyone that says "But in nature". Well it's not nature or natural. It's artificial light. Nothing like true sunshine. Also the genetics of most strains have been tampered with and crossed. So to say that you are getting "pedigree" is just BS. Nearly every seed is a mongrel. Not 1 pedigree out there

 

[Mr Lizard]

You can target the leaves deep inside or under heavy canopy but wait until they yellow off first. In the final weeks just before chop you can pull off any dead or shriveled fans. Otherwise never pull off healthy green leaves during flowering without good reason.
Early defoliation during bloom phase can result in smaller buds. The exception is plants still in veg; you can always just let them grow back if you cut off too much while the plants are still in growth phase. Sometimes if you are training out a lanky plant it's better to top and prune to promote lush new growth and tight nodal spacing.

Man, in 30 years I really can't see the difference. I have found it all comes down to luck. You can plant 5 seeds all of the same genetics and get a couple of great grows and a couple of crap ones. I have had Coke Bottle buds off ones that I've trimmed the hell out of and stringy crappy things that hadn't been touched right next to them. Also the same with cuttings. Some are a mirror of the mother and some are just retarded.