Defoliating while in vegetative...

Gusti764

Member
How many of you clip off fan leaves that cover bud sites while vegging?

I have some 5 week olds that I've clipped some leaves to get more light to lower bud sites.

What do u all think?
 

drsaltzman

Well-Known Member
Definitely a good practice to defoliate in veg.
Suckers: they're the branches that grow below the main canopy. They tend not to get enough light and only produce larf.
If you cut them you'll get more energy from the plant going to the main colas.
There's articles out there on it. Some people do, some people don't. It's more of an indoor grower technique.
 

Gusti764

Member
Definitely a good practice to defoliate in veg.
Suckers: they're the branches that grow below the main canopy. They tend not to get enough light and only produce larf.
If you cut them you'll get more energy from the plant going to the main colas.
There's articles out there on it. Some people do, some people don't. It's more of an indoor grower technique.
I read some articles here about defoliating and also see that some people say its a "no no". I will get rid of those sucker branches, Thank you for defining! Is it dangerous to take a lot of leaves and branches? I mean, as long as its not excessive. Also, is it normal to have leaves with purple stems? I see a lot of people have their plants with similar stems on leaves, but everything i read doesn't really specify if the purple stems are normal.
 

Gusti764

Member
Sounds like you've got more than one plant going, make one a Guinea pig.
Yeah, there's two. I had a third, but it was showing signs of stunted growth. I pulled it yesterday (in the name of research) and found out that my soil had walnuts and one had attached itself to the plant's root system. it did not even give it a chance to grow =/
 

Mr_X

Well-Known Member
i defoliate the bottom portion and prune lower the smaller lower branches for clones. i clip the leaf tips if i want more light to penetrate to the mid sections or just use my scrog to maintain the amount of light my plant gets.
 

Cardlee P

Well-Known Member
Yeah, there's two. I had a third, but it was showing signs of stunted growth. I pulled it yesterday (in the name of research) and found out that my soil had walnuts and one had attached itself to the plant's root system. it did not even give it a chance to grow =/
Black walnut exudates thwart other plants . Be aware!
 

drsaltzman

Well-Known Member
I read some articles here about defoliating and also see that some people say its a "no no". I will get rid of those sucker branches, Thank you for defining! Is it dangerous to take a lot of leaves and branches? I mean, as long as its not excessive. Also, is it normal to have leaves with purple stems? I see a lot of people have their plants with similar stems on leaves, but everything i read doesn't really specify if the purple stems are normal.
Purple stems are usually genetics.
Sometimes temp, but not as common as people think.
Sometimes nutes, and also not as common as people think.
Unless the plant is showing other signs, no biggie.
I’d go easy on the trimming until you get a feel for it. The more it grows before you trim it the better idea you’ll get of where and how much.
You’ll see where there’s little chance of producing much.
 

Homegrown Hero

Well-Known Member
Always create a canopy with LST / SCROG. While training, you will see which leaves need to go and which ones can stay. I really want to emphasize the importance of fan leaves. They power the plant like solar panels. Only trim what is absolutely necessary. Regarding suckers, these are the branches I make clones with. It always pains me cut these branches off and discard them. Good luck and happy growing! :weed:
 

Gusti764

Member
Purple stems are usually genetics.
Sometimes temp, but not as common as people think.
Sometimes nutes, and also not as common as people think.
Unless the plant is showing other signs, no biggie.
I’d go easy on the trimming until you get a feel for it. The more it grows before you trim it the better idea you’ll get of where and how much.
You’ll see where there’s little chance of producing much.
Thanks a bunch, Dr! I will certainly follow your advice!
 

Gusti764

Member
Always create a canopy with LST / SCROG. While training, you will see which leaves need to go and which ones can stay. I really want to emphasize the importance of fan leaves. They power the plant like solar panels. Only trim what is absolutely necessary. Regarding suckers, these are the branches I make clones with. It always pains me cut these branches off and discard them. Good luck and happy growing! :weed:
Thank you! I am currently doing LST and when they're big enough I'll start a SCROG. Just not very sure as what height they should be before implementing the screen.
 
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