# Day 22....do I trim fan leaves? **URL:** \ **Category:** Grow Cycle\ **Created:** [August 27, 2021, 2:10pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913 "2021-08-27T14:10:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PamV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7cd45c/32.png) [@PamV](https://ilgmforum.com/u/PamV)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 2:10pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913/1 "2021-08-27T14:10:47Z")
I’ve read a lot and from what I understand I should wait until the flowering phase to trim fan leaves. However I’ve got a few leaves that are restricting light from lots of new growth. I really want to trim just a few…your thoughts? And…it’s day 22 FFOF, 5 gal pots, water every other day, 18/6…what phase am I in? Am I ready for chemicals? Topped 'em 3 days ago. Regular seeds…cannahaze (can’t find any info…) ![IMG_20210827_085749961_HDR](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/3/4/6/3469e78ff98380593d018ac073fbb7160c2ceccf.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![oldmarine](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/oldmarine/32/524771_2.png) [@oldmarine](https://ilgmforum.com/u/oldmarine)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 2:12pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913/2 "2021-08-27T14:12:30Z")
> [@PamV](#): > > leaves that are restricting light from lots of new growth. I really want to trim just a few Go for it. I would… ---
**Author:** ![Graysin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/graysin/32/546358_2.png) [@Graysin](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Graysin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 2:21pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913/3 "2021-08-27T14:21:13Z")
I’ve pretty much butchered my one plant - she’s so bushy and won’t stop producing monster fan leaves. I pick the handful that are seriously shading the rest of the plant and yank em. Just remember the fan leaves are the source of energy, so only take a few at a time and allow her time to build new ones in less inconvenient spots. ---
**Author:** ![Gjgkeb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/gjgkeb/32/559613_2.png) [@Gjgkeb](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Gjgkeb)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 2:26pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913/4 "2021-08-27T14:26:40Z")
I’m a newbie, but I have removed fan leaves and it seems to benefit new growth and bud sites ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Wormwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/mr_wormwood/32/612861_2.png) [@Mr\_Wormwood](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Mr_Wormwood)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 2:36pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913/5 "2021-08-27T14:36:01Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/8/3/2/832ef47f08b654980291257ded62e4c5b5036700.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/7/3/0/730bee7ef5f38b5989313f05b1a06666dcc4ab32.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/e/e/e/eee80322aef136cee3d09e378cd1f41a28c41b9e.jpeg) Would you say the same for this squaty girl? ---
**Author:** ![PamV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7cd45c/32.png) [@PamV](https://ilgmforum.com/u/PamV)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 4:31pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913/6 "2021-08-27T16:31:34Z")
That looks just like mine!!! What strain is it? Are both those plants the same strain? How old are they? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Wormwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/mr_wormwood/32/612861_2.png) [@Mr\_Wormwood](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Mr_Wormwood)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913/7 "2021-08-27T16:35:59Z")
Small is blueberry photo Taller one is white widow auto ---
**Author:** ![Docnraq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/docnraq/32/1206410_2.png) [@Docnraq](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Docnraq)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913/8 "2021-08-27T16:38:23Z")
Your right. It is best to wait till 2nd week in flower to defoliate. You can take a leaf or two if you can’t bend them outta the way. Train your fan leaves same way you train your tops. NEVER take more then 30% of total foliage in any defoliation and always do it on feed days. Its important to have readily available nutrition after you stress your plant. ---
**Author:** ![Docnraq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/docnraq/32/1206410_2.png) [@Docnraq](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Docnraq)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 4:40pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/day-22-do-i-trim-fan-leaves/73913/9 "2021-08-27T16:40:16Z")
It does. But it also expends energy replacing what you removed instead of growing more. Defoliation is a wash. You get but it also takes. Thats why you don’t want to do it too often.