Outdoor defoliation . Opinion

[Cunjo420]

Hello guys,
I am aware that people usually try not to defoliate outdoors.
But in my situation I have to prepare for flower in a week or two and I have massive amount of foliage and I am scared of powder mildew or high humidity in center,So I would like to clear good amount of foliage. Now big question, is it worth sacrificing smaller branches with less foliage or should I just take big leaves down(nutrient storage)branches start to be really tight . I find it hard now to tie them appropriately because I've already broken few branches (luckily I saved them)


Maybe someone thinks I should leave all foliage on since I'm outdoors, but like so many bottom branches don't receive as much light, and everything is so dense and on top of each other . I guess reason is behind strain genetics. This is blue dream and my first time growing it, comparing to other strains it grows like twice as fast. These plants are like 40-45 days old

Techniques used
LST
​​​​​​HST
Topping

Nutrients: jungle juice(micro,grow,bloom)

 

[9fingerleafs]

The plant look great. Very healthy and strong. I would remove all lower growth sites and branches. Not the big fan leaves. You want to clear the bottom third of the plant. Check lollipoping. Of course being outdoors you don't have to remove aggressively like in an indoor plant, just to make sure air flow between the pot and foliage and that the growth gets light and the plant grows outwards/upwards and not into the center of the plant around the main branch. Hope this rant makes sense

 

[Cunjo420]

Yes kinda, I was trying to avoid lollipopping but I guess it is a must when you have bushes instead of trees . But every time I would pluck a little branch I have feeling like I'm destroying buds haha

 

[dirtymike]

Mr. 9fingerleafs is on point here. I've seen his work and advice here is solid.

 

[9fingerleafs]

Just think every single gram of bud you remove from the bottom branches will go into the top buds.

 

[9fingerleafs]

Thank you for the kind words my friend 🙏

 

[aintdedyet]

I tend to follow the same defoliation practices outdoors as I do indoors, for all the same reasons.
Controversial I know, but my thinking is I’d rather sacrifice a little yield intentionally than lose potentially more due to mildew, rot, bugs, etc.
Some pics of current efforts … lollipopped a wee bit and pretty much done with the leaf plucking. All autos started indoors and moved outside in early June. In Promix HP and feed on GH trio for nutes.

your grow looks great … love that strain …

 

[Cunjo420]

They looks awesome

 

[Bluey]

I used to always remove the bottom stuff in my outdoor grows around the two month mark and keep it away till they were done.

I reckon it helps the plant in many ways inc with yield, pests & mildew and gives you good access to your soil.