Defoliation, Or clearing the bud sites?

[GoatSoup]

I'm currently growing some White WIdow Autos and FIM'd/Topped them. Now they are so bushy and the fan leaves are huge! Was wondering how many leaves to trim off. I know that leaves are the source of energy and don't want to cut too much.
I've been trimming off the leaves that shade the bud sites, should I do more that that?

 

[GoatSoup]

Well I went ahead and trimmed the shit out of my bushiest plant. Cleared all the bud sites to get light on them and a few hours later she's looking pretty good. The tips are turning to the light and looking much stronger. Tomorrow will tell the tale.
My smallest WW is starting to show pistils and hopefully will start to stretch to the light. She's six inches shorter but looking good. I must have got two different phenos?

 

[Frank Nitty]

Where are the pictures

 

[GoatSoup]

Here's a pix from 11-10


Here's Today


Tips are up and I hope it fills out a bit to power up the blooming. What do you think???

 

[hotrodharley]

Here's a pix from 11-10
View attachment 5027118

Here's Today
View attachment 5027109

Tips are up and I hope it fills out a bit to power up the blooming. What do you think???

I think you should not have topped or fimmed an auto.

 

[Frank Nitty]

I think you should not have topped or fimmed an auto.

Here are my topped autos

 

[hotrodharley]

I see lots and lots of popcorn.

 

[Frank Nitty]

I see lots and lots of popcorn.

Those are only like 40 something days from sprouting, they have a long way to go still

 

[hotrodharley]

Those are only like 40 something days from sprouting, they have a long way to go still

I'm just kidding you. You can see the age in the pictures. But this isn't your first go around either.

 

[PopAndSonGrows]

Here's a pix from 11-10
View attachment 5027118

Here's Today
View attachment 5027109

Tips are up and I hope it fills out a bit to power up the blooming. What do you think???

I think it looks good, not too crazy & still plenty of foliage left, looks healthy. Could even go harder on it below the net. In a few days it won't even look like you did anything, which means you did it right.

 

[Tangerine_]

Was wondering how many leaves to trim off.

Some people take a really hard approach to pruning and defoliations but IMO, its completely strain dependent. Some respond very well and others, not so much. Environment is also an important variable to consider.
Its one of those techniques you'll learn as you go. Once you run thru enough plants, you'll be able to tell right off if they need it or not.

I think those will do fine but I wouldnt remove any more. Just let em jam from here on out.

 

[Frank Nitty]

I'm just kidding you. You can see the age in the pictures. But this isn't your first go around either.

Yeah I know... How you been???

 

[GoatSoup]

Thanks guys. Today WW#1(WW#1 is 20 ") is still stretching, but no pistils yet. WW#2 is starting to rise above the net ~2" and seems to be starting to move now. I'll start clearing WW#2 after she gets above the net and clear her out too.

My Lil' Durban in dirt is up to 16" tall and a Xmas tree structure. It appears my FIM has produced two tops now and I'll leave it at that just to see how she does.

 

[GoatSoup]

Just went in to check on the girls this evening and MAN! you couldn't even tell I cut it Thursday!

I germ'd these 10-1-21 so about 43 days from germ.

 

[GoatSoup]

I've been trimming WW#1 most every day a few leaves and she's over 30" now. All my girls are starting to frost up now and I really need to spread out WW#1 as she's bushy as hell and about 15-20 bud sites. WW#1 completely swamped WW#2 which is only 20" and I had to put my Burple over her, but she is reacting well now and frosting up pretty well.

I'm beginning to believe that spectrum isn't as important as high Lumens. Good spectrum helps but dropping the lights to get higher lumen rates is damned good.

 

[kingzt]

What is the latest day in flower that you can defoliate? I generally go up to day 21 but won’t be able to until day 24. Is that pushing it? It’s only 3 days but i don’t want to mess this cycle up.

 

[GoatSoup]

WHite Widow #1 Topping held her to 36" tall she's ~9 sq foot of canopy today!

 

[blueberrymilkshake]

What is the latest day in flower that you can defoliate? I generally go up to day 21 but won’t be able to until day 24. Is that pushing it? It’s only 3 days but i don’t want to mess this cycle up.

Wanted to see how big 3 month veg gets lol. 3 cubic foot experiment. I'm 5 or 6 weeks into flower, steady cutting branches and bud sites off due to tent size and lighting situation haha.