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.

[Crayovac]

Ok, thank you for that advice. I don't want to remove anything until they have been in 12/12 mode for 3 weeks because that is what I have been reading. After 3 weeks, I will thin things out a bit and upload some photos of the groomed plants for additional feedback. Thanks again.

[Crayovac]

Hey DabberDog,

I did see a few mentions about lollipopping but haven't read into it in detail...I'll review the topic more extensively. I put another fan in the tent for added circulation but have not had any condensation issues so far. I do have a full room dehumidifier running. Yes, the photos are from exactly one week after flip. The seeds were given to me and I was told only that they are Tigerz Eye. I will try to LST some of the branches away from each other if it will create some openings through the canopy. I'll attach a few more photos from this morning... Day 8 after flip.

[kingfish]

Crayovac, At this point, I wouldn't do any LST. You are too far into flowering. You have a nice canopy going. If any nodes get too tall, super crop them.

[Allenpro]

Read first, grow later. LOL
Of course none of us did that either but I bet we all read every article we can find now,

[Crayovac]

Hey kingfish

I'm gun shy about super cropping..too afraid I'll break the branches off. One plant is getting taller than the other and that tall plant has a couple of colas taller than the others but I think I'll just let it grow got now. I did trim out some middle stuff, cut off a few lower stems that didn't look like they'd make it to the top but I've got a lot more defoliating to do. I don't want to take too much off yet, at least until 3 weeks of 12/12 has passed.

[Allenpro]

Keep scotch tape handy and wrap the break, you will be amazed at what they can recover from

[Smallgrow]

I was afraid to supercrop too but it’s a great technique, even well into flower. I’ve carefully snapped them over and they just bounce right back. It’s worth trying if you need to.
Maybe just do one branch as an experiment to get a feel for it. As long as you don’t break he outer skin of the branch all is good

[Allenpro]

This is a good tutorial

https://www.growweedeasy.com/defoliation

This is my preferred method. Trim them like they are going to boot camp at the flip and again at 21 days after the flip

https://www.growweedeasy.com/schwazzing-cannabisn