defoliating the main colas on a manifold

[Cronk]

I'm in the 1st week of flower and have defoliated a number of times so far in veg. My manifolds have produced 8 to 12 colas depending on the plant and they are now reaching upward. it's cool

Mainly I have been taking fan leaves and leaving the growth tips but I realize many of the growth tips have turned into minor side branches growing out if the main colas. I started taking the smaller, lower ones, I guess sort of a lolipop idea, but as I moved my way up the main stalks I started doubting my moves.

do i take the side branches off the main colas so the energy goes into extending those colas and then the buds? The side branches are cluttering everything up into a bush rather than a slender stalk full of bud sights. OR are the side branches producing bud sites?

I think if I start taking all the side branches I'll end up stripping it naked.

[GroJimmy]

Yes, take of the scraggly branches, don't take all the fan leaves, I start with large hand size and then smaller ones 4 weeks out. The buds fatten up much better.. These pics are the same plant, this is a King Tut with about 3 weeks to go.

[Cronk]

thanks for the input. I'll be watering in a day or two so I guess I'll start again with the side branches then.

[GroJimmy]

Yeah, you have to play it by ear, some strains don't like it, some love it. Keep a log for future reference. I've been doing this method for about 8 years, mainlining! Manifolding is way faster, just waiting to see the yield.

[Cronk]

thanks. I've got 4 manifolded plants in first week of flower and they are doing well. It seems no matter what I trim off they grow back bushier so I need to stop this effect to the grow tall colas full of buds. I've got a journal going but wanted to ask off journal

[GroJimmy]

You're on the right path, they say the indica don't do as well, the only ones that were disappointments were a OG Kush, and a shark shock. The king Tut is doing crazy, I will clone her next time.

[Potted]

Cutting off those small branches will make your mains get bigger and fatter! Lol