I have question on defoliation and to what extent. I questioned a reputable grower and grow store owner, we collaborate frequently. Showed him pic of current grow which is 3.5 weeks into flowering. 4 photos in 3x3 tent, 450 watt led. I’ve had to do massive super cropping to keep within parameters of light. 2 in back if weren’t would be about 7 foot +. My tent with extension is 7ft 11. The gentleman showed me pics of a commercial grower locally. Most large leaves totally trimmed off , says now girls get more power to flowers, any comments on this subject would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance…..
If you defoliate ,the general consensus is 21 days into flower ( counting from presentation of preflower) and then again at 42 days. Never take more than 20% at a time to allow plant to recover. In between those times, tuck if needed to allow more might to bud sites.Great looking grow btw
Thank you started this evening , quite the forest in there. This commercial grower liked almost totally defoliated his grow. Little nervous go that route trimmed 1.5 hrs. Save rest for a future date. Thanks again…
I usually only defoliate leaves blocking light or airflow to bud sites. I’ve heard the technique @ChittyChittyBangin is talking about and people have great results with it. Just make sure you’re listening to what your plant is telling you, she’ll let you know if she’s unhappy. ![]()
Fwiw, I routinely strip 70-90% of leaves off autoflowers a couple times throughout a grow. Very common, and very effective with healthy plants in a good environment.
Nice looking tent.
I had a lot of practice stripping plants, multiple times per grow, while growing in a 2x4 due to RH issues:
Healthy plants thrive that way indoors with decent lighting due to light penetration too…depends on ones goals, needs, and wants.
Good advice thanks
I am of the school of: less is more. Plants need leaves to produce sugars to build flower. Without leaves the plant will not make peak yields.
IMO at day 21 strip everything from the bottom 1/3 of plant then remove only those leaves that are affecting light and air flow. Once again at day 42 or as needed.
Here’s a counter example of mild defol: 1 lb. 1 1/2 oz. from this plant.
You provide a lot of help on here and I would not contradict your knowledge and experience…I will add that I have seen dozens of 1, 2, and even a couple 3lb+ indoor autos that yielded so much, in part because they were schwazzed, as it was necessary due to environment (the mother of necessity sometimes).
Regardless, for a lot of folks growing their own medicine, yield stops being a focus very early on in growing cycle experience…variety, and keeping plants small enough to have numbers of various strains, became the focus for medicating a while ago (all the while in an environment where RH and mold concern is forever an issue)
People have different experiences and corresponding needs of production so it is helpful for folks to get all the perspectives ![]()
Thank you for input nice plant, I love asking these questions as they can be very informative, as well as subjective. Food for thought there lol. Thanks again have good day…
Good info thx appreciate





