At what point of the flowering stage do you remove the fan leaves? Is it true that after week seven of flower they are not needed anymore? I was told they are stealing energy which could be going to the buds
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Fan leaves generate a bunch of energy for the plant. Only time these should really be removed is to defoliate to allow more light to reach the lower parts of the plant.
I’m no expert though
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Really depends on how bushy they are. Another factor in my opinion is what kind of lights you are using. There’s a method I loosely follow of defoliation that some do and others will say you shouldn’t do, it’s where you nearly strip all fan leaves on day 21 after flipping lights and again on day 42. I can say that I believe it wasn’t harmful for growth and bud development. Not only is it not harmful it is beneficial to help airflow and controlling RH. If you are running high end LEDs I believe that heavy defoliation can be done in flower. I’m going to link a video that illustrates this method. I don’t defoliate quite as much as the video shows but close. I also leave healthy fan leaves at the lower portion of plants.
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Looking good flitme.
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That’s just plain wrong , while they are less crucial, any energy production is useful during all stages of growth
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Thanks again brother I appreciate the help
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Half way through my final flush I pull all fan leaves. So basically with one week left until harvest. I’ve heard the same that you did about them not being necessary after week 7 or 8 of flower, but I’m still hesitant to pull them too early. I’m very happy with the results the way I’m doing now.
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I usually do a lollipop a week before flower than let them finish there strength in flower. After I see they are done stretching I strip every single leaf that isn’t in a bud site. I usually leave a few at the top of the canopy bud the rest are gone. Then I repeat the strip again on day 42.
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Exactly, everyone can have different results doing the same thing. So as you gain experience you will try different methods and decide what works best for your grow style. 
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It’s pretty amazing how fast they recover and the leaves that are left really grow fast.
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It’s one amazing plant is all I can say. It’s always surprising how fast they recover.
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I remove most of the large fan leaves at day 31 of flowering, then again in a couple weeks as the smaller fan leaves left will have grown into large fan leaves, but I pull leaves when I see it needed, starting in veg, always pulling some leaves every week it seems but also depends on the plant/strain some are more leafy and need it more, less leafy plants don’t need it as much if at all.
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Those girls look too crowded in the bottom. Might need to open some airflow. Mold sux. Growth at those stem bases are a total waste i think. Not a drop of light getting through. All that little stuff hiding in there sucking energy for nada. Lovem thick like that.
Week or two before flipping to flower and only with photos would I recommend it