# Defoliate Fan Leaves on Thick Plants & Buds **URL:** \ **Category:** Indoor Growing\ **Tags:** autoflower, indoor-grow\ **Created:** [May 10, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899 "2022-05-10T16:55:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GrnyGrows](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/grnygrows/32/672946_2.png) [@GrnyGrows](https://ilgmforum.com/u/GrnyGrows)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/1 "2022-05-10T16:55:11Z")
Ok – I don’t know the best way to remove fan leaves from thick plants – especially buds. 1. Do I have to cut the fan leaves at their base – or can they just be trimmed close to the bud? 2. How the heck do you deal with a jungle – leaf by leaf or some cool process where you snap your fingers and all the dang leaves are gone? Gurus – help me learn some tricks. ![20220510_123053](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/3/f/3/3f3c3edfa1a01291ab24adef816294e7f01a0c46.jpeg) ![20220510_123111](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/9/8/7/987da01f4519e8c8cc713c6144cd09293d4cd6b9.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![PurpNGold74](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/purpngold74/32/533767_2.png) [@PurpNGold74](https://ilgmforum.com/u/PurpNGold74)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:10pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/2 "2022-05-10T17:10:55Z")
Leaves as small as the one on the last pic, I dont bother with until trim time. Normally if you keep the lowers cleand up throughout flower, its not too much of a hassle to snip a fan here and there every few days. Ill snip them with scissors, or a razor blade, but pinching with finger nails work in a pinch. And the best way Ive found to really get in there? Just pull you plant out n pluck away. Give her a spin to change angles n continue plucking. She wont miss a beat ---
**Author:** ![Underthestairs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/underthestairs/32/689635_2.png) [@Underthestairs](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Underthestairs)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:14pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/3 "2022-05-10T17:14:06Z")
> [@PurpNGold74](#): > > pinching with finger nails work in a pinch I liked this ---
**Author:** ![PurpNGold74](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/purpngold74/32/533767_2.png) [@PurpNGold74](https://ilgmforum.com/u/PurpNGold74)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:17pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/4 "2022-05-10T17:17:19Z")
Haha didnt even notice the double entendre there lol ---
**Author:** ![GrnyGrows](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/grnygrows/32/672946_2.png) [@GrnyGrows](https://ilgmforum.com/u/GrnyGrows)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:21pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/5 "2022-05-10T17:21:18Z")
My problem are all the dang leaves hunkering into the buds and blocking all my light. Argh. Love the double pinch, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![Underthestairs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/underthestairs/32/689635_2.png) [@Underthestairs](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Underthestairs)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:21pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/6 "2022-05-10T17:21:31Z")
I gave it the head nod ---
**Author:** ![MidwestGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/midwestguy/32/914277_2.png) [@MidwestGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/MidwestGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:23pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/7 "2022-05-10T17:23:19Z")
> [@GrnyGrows](#): > > leaves hunkering into the buds and blocking all my light. Light to the buds themselves? ---
**Author:** ![Spudgunner](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/spudgunner/32/739013_2.png) [@Spudgunner](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Spudgunner)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/8 "2022-05-10T17:25:01Z")
When I defoliate, I only lop off the leaves at the base of the buds. Anything in the middle of the bud I leave for trimming at harvest (wet and dry trim). Start at the bottom and work your way up! ---
**Author:** ![beachglass](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/beachglass/32/683364_2.png) [@beachglass](https://ilgmforum.com/u/beachglass)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:30pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/9 "2022-05-10T17:30:21Z")
I did this today so my colas each had their own hole in the scrog. I sat on a big pillow and cut off all the puny branches that were not going to amt. to much. Now i have about 10 or 11 on each plant. Was in there for about 90 min. ![20220510_100640](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/4/2/9/429d14380ff84c65055c245f57314900994680d1.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![GrnyGrows](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/grnygrows/32/672946_2.png) [@GrnyGrows](https://ilgmforum.com/u/GrnyGrows)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/10 "2022-05-10T17:54:00Z")
My problem is my autos are so stout – short and thick – getting to bottom branches is almost impossible. I’m not doing something right from early on. I feel like training the main cola (bending over and to the side) makes it even harder. Your plants are so tall. ![20220510_135046](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/5/4/e/54e8623a289cc394d308157108311ba282b6c524.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![GrnyGrows](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/grnygrows/32/672946_2.png) [@GrnyGrows](https://ilgmforum.com/u/GrnyGrows)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/11 "2022-05-10T17:54:33Z")
Yes to buds – other lower buds. ---
**Author:** ![MidwestGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/midwestguy/32/914277_2.png) [@MidwestGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/MidwestGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/12 "2022-05-10T17:57:32Z")
Buds are a collection of calyxes. Calyxes don’t use light for anything, so flower needs its sugar leaves. One way to deal with the lower buds issue is a staged harvest. Harvest the top half of the plant first, then let the lowers ripen for another week, then harvest those lower flowers. I do this every grow. ---
**Author:** ![GrnyGrows](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/grnygrows/32/672946_2.png) [@GrnyGrows](https://ilgmforum.com/u/GrnyGrows)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/13 "2022-05-10T20:16:46Z")
I love this plan. I had no idea calyxes were groovin’ without light. Knowledge is power. I actually left some growth on my 1st grow trio – just to see what they would do – they’re growing/maturing. I’m all about staged harvest. BAM. ---
**Author:** ![beardless](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/beardless/32/275814_2.png) [@beardless](https://ilgmforum.com/u/beardless)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/14 "2022-05-10T20:22:19Z")
leaves like these block light. ![IMG_0018](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/f/7/1/f715184aed63572c4af5ccce1a2da413d0d0c3d1.jpeg) ![IMG_0017](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/9/a/2/9a2e254a24511d9e88f3c822837a0c2eebfd73aa.jpeg) Light penetration is not an issue with your auto. ---
**Author:** ![GrnyGrows](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/grnygrows/32/672946_2.png) [@GrnyGrows](https://ilgmforum.com/u/GrnyGrows)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/15 "2022-05-10T20:25:48Z")
I’ve cut a forest of them – it feels like. 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![beachglass](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/beachglass/32/683364_2.png) [@beachglass](https://ilgmforum.com/u/beachglass)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 11:19pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/defoliate-fan-leaves-on-thick-plants-buds/86899/16 "2022-05-10T23:19:16Z")
Mine are photo. I did 1 auto and stuck with photo.