For reference, I grow outdoors with good sunlight, which gets direct sunlight for about 8 hours a day. The strain is Blue Dream for what its worth. I am about 2.5-3 weeks into flower right now, but i know this strain has a long flowering period and might go into October (caterpillars and mold willing lol)
I have read conflicting information regarding defoliation, especially entering the flower phase. Some people say that no defoliation is best and to leave it be, others say to pretty much strip everything below the first couple of bud sites and lolipop the branches.
I am wondering what you guys think of my current grow and whether you think my plant should be defoliated even more (i have been trimming interior branches and leaves off here and there due to them not getting sunlight). I obviously dont want to over stress the plant, but do want to try and maximize my yield and production and know that the less it has to try and maintain leaves, the more it can put into the bud production. I have attached pictures of what i have right now. There are lots of little bud sites going down the stems which are almost always covered by shade during the day (i have also read that maintaining all bud sites helps the bigger colas grow better? not sure on this logic either).
So i guess my two questions are: do you guys think that the plant needs to be thinned out even more and is it too late in my grow to undergo that type of thinning. Pics attached of each side of the plant, interior, and a main cola to tell where it is in the life cycle. Any advice or opinions are welcomed!
Trim as necessary to maintain good airflow withing the plant’s canopy and leave it at that. It is important for mold mitigation and for replenishing CO2 throughout the plant’s canopy.
Some will strip off the bottom third of the plant at this stage. The bottom third of a plant is rarely productive.
I’d wait about 10-14 days since you’re forming buds, and pull some of the lower inside, not because it won’t receive light, but it won’t really turn into big buds and the plant won’t waste energy. But wait just a bit since you’re forming flowers so you aren’t spending energy recovering during development.
Considering indoors and outdoors separately I haven’t seen conflicting information about defol. Don’t think I’ve seen stripping recommended for outdoor plants. Except an unmanageable reveg. Your plant looks just right to me
The leaves produce the sugars needed to produce flower. No meaningful photosynthesis occurs on flower. Only remove dead leaves, ones touching the ground and to improve airflow. Never remove any more leaves than you have to. Lollipopping was originally done a week or so ahead of harvest simply to speed things up during trim jail.
I would also strongly recommend using plant fabric screens: this will stealth your plant and keep pests off of your plants. Aphids and mites would be your only worry and Captain Jack’s Deadbug will keep your plants free of pests. Do plan on doing a bud wash at harvest in peroxide.
Plants look great!
(I used to live North of Santa Barbara close to the ocean and struggled with issues when outdoors. You are going to learn to hate Cabbage Loupers as they’re all over SoCal)
Thank you all for the replies! I will probably wait a couple of weeks and then do one more interior/lower branch that doesn’t receive light defoliation. I have had issues with bud rot in the past so i am trying my hardest this grow to minimize that this year (might be tough regardless due to my location on the coast in Southern California).
@Myfriendis410 Thanks for the info! I was actually thinking of doing a plant screen this year because i have had issues with caterpillars in the past. This year i have been very diligent with BT and Trifecta Crop Control every other spray (BT, wait two days, Trifecta, wait two days, BT… etc). Do you still think the screen would be beneficial? I know they still let light through, but i wonder about the lights efficiency as it hits the plant and how much you lose using the screen. The other concern is the bud rot and mold issue with the lack of air flow using the screen. I have fought bud rot every year and am trying to figure out how to minimize it, so I’m hoping the preventative application of Trifecta and BT will help mitigate this. If you think a screen wouldnt pose too much more risk or detriment, i might as well go get it.
Of course, when one thing seems to be resolved, another pops up and i believe i have a squirl digging into my soil . Guess i need to go get some chicken wire to place over the top of the pot lol.
I do: better to prevent them laying eggs than treating after. Of course I recommend treating anyway. You’ve got way more light than you need when growing outdoors so a plant screen will not affect yields. Bud rot is tough simply because your ambient humidity is so high.
I live in Colorado now, at 7,100 feet and cannabis is a joy to grow here. No mold or mildew and few pest vectors. (That said; I grow indoors here)
Ill def get the screen going then. I was also hoping to put a couple of oscillating fans on timers in the screen to keep the air moving around the leaves to hopefully minimize the bud rot as well. Do you think that is worth it? Or is bud rot just an unfortunate part of growing near the coast and is ultimately unavoidable?
Adding airflow is a great idea if able to. I would not worry about daytime but after dark for sure. When temps drop to the dew point is when you need to worry about moisture.
. Guess i need to go get some chicken wire to place over the top of the pot lol.
