How early can I defoliate?

[Jason]

A family situation has arisen and I must be away from my girls for unknown weeks. They are just beginning Week V of the 12 week hydro schedule by GH.
Last week was Transition with lights changed to 12/12 schedule. Stretch is very evident.
This coming week is the first week of Flower with stronger nutes.
I would normally wait to start taking out the major fan leaves, but due to my absence I want to do this as early as possible.
Like tomorrow before my flight out.
So my question is, can I do a pretty heavy defoliation of the largest fan leaves this early?
Or should I just take out some portion.
My friends can do the easy maintenance and pH adjustments, but none have experience with defoliating.
Thanks for any insights.

[Weed Pharma]

It would be fine to do a heavy defoliation at this point, many new leaves will grow in anyways.

[Jason]

Thank you. That's what I was thinking and hoping. They'll be getting a heavy trim tomorrow before I leave for the airport.
Maybe with before and after pics.

[Sammy]

I remove leaves from about 3 weeks,til harvest..A lot of people stop after 3rd week in flower.☮️

[D.A.A.S.69]

It's pretty much a steady removing process, the whole grow, until they quit growing fans. You ain't gonna hurt a thing.
I'd rather have my friends do the leaf removal, the watering an feeding an monitoring ph, is lots harder than leaf removal, I would sure give them a quizz or two before you leave, to be sure they know what their doing.
Good luck I'd hate to be in your shoes ,for relying on someone to do the right thing,

[PRIMO]

Be sure to wash your hands with rubbing alcohol & change clothes. Don't want a TSA dope dog sticking his nose in your business.

[Jason]

Thanks guys. My friend owned an aquarium/pet store for years and has done a lot of landscaping, aquariums/ponds, etc. So he should be good with the upkeep. My wife can water and pH balance.
And I'll clean up before heading out. No lines for me at the airport. The 3D hologram ID lets that happen.