Not false, many professional growers defoliate and there are benefits to it backed by basic science.
You chopped off part of a plant and it will focus it's energies elsewhere, that's just common knowledge and useful knowledge depending on the situation.
I wouldn't recommend defoliation for something such as a 400W+ HID system but I will if you're using CFL's or a weaker light source that doesn't provide penetration.
Google Lollipopping, people do it all the time.
ALSO: In that thread you linked it's a topped and trained plant. Trained plants get their lower bud sites up to the top so they get as much energy as the main cola. It's super obvious that his lower bud sites are over shadowed by his main colas.
Edit: You also admit you chop leaves too...so way to be a hypocrite bro. You defoliate too.
After growing for more decades then you've been alive (most likely). I laugh at someone saying "professional" grower. Many of what you would call "professional" have their head up their ass on half the things they do or practice! If one writes a book. That makes them an author. Not an expert on the subject....Jorge is a good grower. He has his head up his ass on several things. "The REV" and his idea's ,,,,,, well his soil sucks ass and the layering thing is stupid. Same for Sub Tool and some of his genetics are weak too. Danny Danko is wrong on things too......Hmm, I've never had a problem with Ed Rosenthal, so there's that.
You say that "chopping part of a plant off will focus it's energy somewhere else". This is true in some ways BUT, not for defoliating leaves from a plant in ANY major amount.....The leaves are the "food factories" for the plant. You remove them and they sure aren't helping any more are they? Now your plant is struggling to attempt to repair it's self from damage. Some would argue that it's putting more into flowering to quickly finish before it dies. Both observations are true!
Except that this will now result in smaller tighter buds that while they have density weight, they have no real size and therefor have reduced bag appeal. Not only is this the REAL science working here. I have seen this first hand with friends, over and over again by the same guy!
I added that
late in bloom I remove a
small amount of leaves from some PURE Indica's that tend to shade some budding and I want them to
ripen evenly. No where did I even
IMPLY that it would increase bud size.. The amount of leaves removed would
maybe amount to 2-3% of the leaves on the plant. This is also done at about a week to go.....So then, as you can see. This is a very minor amount of leaves at the last second.
So, maybe I should have made myself more clear on how this works BUT, don't come on here and attempt to turn my words against me kiddo. You really know not of what you speak or how to employ it properly! The way you think shows logic and not actual book science......I might advise you to take a cpl of Horticultural class's at a local college and really learn something..
Good Day