On one hand, these are only 5 weeks old, however the large fan leaves are blocking light from getting to many more future bud sights underneath…Plus even w/ a fan, I worry about mold forming…I understand the importance of fan leaves as solar panels, so not sure how to proceed. Photos, in FF/OF, Gen Hydro every other feeding, 240W QB…I use mineral drinking water to feed…not sure of PH…any advice sincerely appreciated.
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I would wait until about a week after you flip to flower before you defoliate, then do some, and the another about 3 weeks after that.
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She looks really good. I wouldn’t do any defoliation yet, keep all those solar panels for now. To get better airflow and light to the whole plant, you could do a bit of LST, low stress training.
You don’t necessarily need to bend over the main stalk, just using ties to pull all the branches away from the centre would be helpful.
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Buds don’t need or use light. They are only 5% as effective at photosynthesis as leaves are. The leaves will take care of the plants needs for nutrient manufacture. Those nutrients are transported where they are needed in the plant via the stem system.
Defoliate only as necessary to maintain good airflow within the plant’s canopy.
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Nice healthy plants , Last picture I would take a few close to the soil . It will make it much easier to water. Top at about six or seven nodes an continue to spread the limbs out For light penetration and air flow.
Happy growing
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Geeze those are leafy phenos, looking healthy tho!
In my experience you have to defoliate indoors to maximize yield and flower resin quality…yours look a little young for any major defoliation imho tho.
One of the oldest adages in Cannabis is “more light to the bud site”…and it’s 100% true. Buds have leaves and those leaves participate in photosynthesis just like any other leaf on the plant. Your grow light is also nowhere near as powerful as the sun…you have to maximize your canopy and the light reaching the flowers at the canopy…therefore we train and defoliate.
I know it feels counterintuitive to take perfectly healthy PAR catching leaves off a plant, but we’re in the business of maximizing flower yield and quality…not maximizing total biomass yield.
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Just my approach, I defoliate in veg, as well as flower. I do this to clean up the plant in veg, helps me identify any hidden pests or nutrient issues. During flower, I defol the bigger fan leaves and try to clean up the bottom to allow light down further. It’s worked for me thus far. Don’t be afraid to defol, I have 2 photos going now that I’ve defoliated several times and they are thriving. You have some time to go before I’d think about trimming any leaves. Let them double in size and then maybe trim up the bottom some to promote vertical growth, espically with Indicas. Those things get bushy fast.