New Member with an Old Question on Defoliation

[Crayovac]

Hi All,

My question is in regard to defoliation. I have read a number of articles on GWE about defoliation but when it comes to my own plants, I am always reluctant to make any cuts. I would ask that you have a look at these photos of 2 Tigerz Eye photoperiods (my first grow of photoperiods) that have been manifolded and are now completing one week of 12/12. They are clear and open on the bottom but the canopy is pretty thick. I plan to defoliate more after 3 weeks as per the articles i have read but not sure how far to go with it. Should i remove some of the lower nodal side shoots on each cola that are growing inward toward the center of the plants? Or just remove the leaves on the top of the canopy so light can get down to those lower nodal side shoots? These pics are 7 days into 12/12. I'm using a soil medium and Gaia Green powdered nutrients.

[DabberDog]

Another benefit of defoliation is allowing air to circulate around your plants.
Something you can do instead of or in addition to defoliation is low stress training (LST).
Your soil looks shaded, and I don't see any fans in your tent. Consider doing some LST before defoliating and at least two fans. Even if your tent is always open, fans.
Otherwise, it looks like you got some fine-looking dope coming along!

[Crayovac]

Thank you for your reply. There is one fan hanging from above (not pictured) that is blowing air downward and it makes the plants shake. I have ordered some bud clips for LST but for now I am using binder clips to keep the branches tied to the fabric pots. I might try to increase circulation by tying selected colas together to increase space among them where needed. I know that the light has to penetrate the canopy so I will remove a bunch of leaves in about two weeks but tin order o thin things out a bit I may have to cut some of those long lower stems branching out from the main colas.

[DabberDog]

In the articles you have read, have you read about lolipopping?
Got the fan, cool. I like fans. My current grow, I have noticed condensation on some of the leaves. That's my bad for bad fan management.
Were those my photos a week after flip, I would make sure the two plants were not touching, keep them shaking, LST as able, watch for condensation, and hold for the 3-week defoliation. Only trim the larf and itty-bitty branches below the canopy that are just a pain in the ass to trim.
And watch for sex parts if they are photo, not femmed.

[golfnrl]

Yes. Clean out the middle of the plant. Buds on the lower part of the plant will not fatten up. If you want to leave em that's up to you. But clean out the middle.