Not sure what to do, defoliate or let alone

[Weedgrodamus]

These 2 girls are Nirvana Mystery Seeds, they are 2 months old and 2' tall. I topped them once at 2 weeks old . I switched them to 12/12 last week.

The leaves are thin and sparse (compared to my White Widows ( I have to defoliate them at least once a week, the 2nd pic)).

I would prefer to have less colas but larger in size. I was thinking of cutting the bud sites (but leave the fans) out of the lower areas because this whole plant looks so spindly and weak.

I could use some guidance on how to salvage these two.

[Weed Pharma]

Mystery Seeds can be tricky - but looking at the first plant it seems to be sativa dominant which do not always respond to trimming (http://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum/...home-lol/page5) and may not need it at all.
Below is a post I made in another thread about lollypopping, but could be applied to the sativa:

It's about light penetration depth and canopy cover.
My rule is that I lollypop anything 9-12" up from the soil surface. (your distance would be different)- but basically cut all lower bud branches that are not going to make it to the canopy.

After that, I look from the top of the plant down- If I can see the soil- it's fine and only bud covering fan leaves are removed.
If I can not see the soil, then I chop away.
What's important is that the canopy size (bottom to top,height) is sufficient to absorb as much light as possible-
this will vary depending on your light-

18" of canopy is what I usually see with hps.

Disclaimer- I use LED's so the last statement is from others experience, not mine--END

Generally, I lollypop at the 12/12 flip- then trim/defoliate in weeks #1 and #3 of flower- then let it run

[Canuck147]

Plants look good. First pic, yes a little spindly, but I would leave it and let the existing fan leaves supply the energy the plant needs to thicken up.

[Weedgrodamus]

Should I surgically take out the lower bud sites?

[Canuck147]

Let em grow

[Weed Pharma]

Remove them, if you don't think they will make it to the canopy!