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To Defoliate Or Not To Defoliate
- Thread starter DrPhoton
- Start date
Vitreous
New member
Bigpapa, my last harvest was G13's White Critical, totally amazing flowers. An previous grow with Crop Kings White Cookie achieved this as well. The resin production off these 2 strains was truly top shelf.
The lowest THC %age I grew was a mere 19, from Crop Kings Purple Kush, still amazingly satisfying.
I will be harvesting DNA's White Alien soon and I actually have no idea what to expect.
The lowest THC %age I grew was a mere 19, from Crop Kings Purple Kush, still amazingly satisfying.
I will be harvesting DNA's White Alien soon and I actually have no idea what to expect.
Chefbjy
New member
How do you feel about Nebula's guide? It's her proven method for getting huge nugs. I can understand your point though with the saved up energy from the bigger lower leaves to keep the plant thriving all the way through harvest. In my opinion this is based off indoor management and to get as much from one plant as you can for a shorter time frame. If the plant were to be a mother defoliation won't benefit you or running a super long veg. I think her process is well written with some serious results. Though your findings are factual and scientifical the thought to increase size and density of the flowers she gets is appealing. I would still like to expirement with yielded results. I'm sure a non defoliated plant would make several flower sites and big colas with some major plant training. But her defoliation guide seems easier and more practical for an indoor grow. With space and control being the main focus. With several defoliated plants I'm sure would out weigh the one plant that takes up your space. Now for an outdoor grow you have more space and bigger plants may benefit more from not being defoliated and would have an obvious increase in yield.
DrPhoton
New member
I would love the idea, of the practice of defoliation to increase yields. Another technique for improved yields is always wanted. However i need more than empiricle data. Even if there is no sound science of the reason how it could possibly work, i would need at least some evidence of a control compared to a variable. So far, the few who have documented it show no improvements but instead inferior results in comparison.
Although i support the idea of providing more light to the lower canopy, this is just for quality rather than quantitiy reasons. Wether this is by removing a select few fan leaves, or by training the plant to allow more light to get through.
Although i support the idea of providing more light to the lower canopy, this is just for quality rather than quantitiy reasons. Wether this is by removing a select few fan leaves, or by training the plant to allow more light to get through.
Vitreous
New member
--> abadtrip ...started with Alpha-cat test kits, the a local guy would do Dx testing for 25 a pop, then I said screw it... I invested a grand for my own Dx, we have done comparative testing against each other, we were both actually shocked to learn the testing consistency was bang on with each other.
If you want to start slow and get a good understanding lab wise...I would seriously consider the Alpha-cat...at the end of the day, testing is NOT cheap, if your looking for accuracy.
If you want to start slow and get a good understanding lab wise...I would seriously consider the Alpha-cat...at the end of the day, testing is NOT cheap, if your looking for accuracy.
Chefbjy
New member
Not saying it improves yield but I do think the control and the time frame you can easily fit more defoliated plants into one area rather than one trained plant that spreads across the whole area. So how do they calculate approximate yield from seeds and strains? Are they based off a process of defoliation or a plant they just let grow to it's full potential? If you could get at least half of what your plant should yield you could grow two more plants in the same space resulting in another half of the max you could get from one that will ultimately grow to fill the environment and only produce what has been recorded.
DrPhoton
New member
Sorry i misunderstood you, this is getting a little off topic. However. I think you have the wrong end of the stick, so to speak. The number of plants does not dictate the final yield, the light source does. Ultimately you are always limited by the light source until plants become co2 limited. Adding more plants in a grow, reduces vegetation time. Although because of the structure due to shorter vegetation, you gain efficiency there as well. There is a point where adding more plants creates too much crowding and reduces canopy efficiency. Trying to cram more plants in through pruning practices isnt going to help much, if at all.
If you wish to talk more on the matter give me a pm.
If you wish to talk more on the matter give me a pm.
DingusKhan
New member
Also, it helps to remember that you can do either, and if you don't overdo anything, it will work great. As new growers, we get over-eager to do stuff OR dead set against doing other things, when really the most important thing is to stay close to the norm and JUST FINISH your first grow. Once you get to the other side, you can do your next one differently, and see if you like it better.
If there are this many growers with this much difference in opinion, then they are probably both right. Do anything that some else has done (read some completed journals, I recommend Tika PDFs) and copy them. Next, copy someone else who does it differently.
You'll be fine.
If there are this many growers with this much difference in opinion, then they are probably both right. Do anything that some else has done (read some completed journals, I recommend Tika PDFs) and copy them. Next, copy someone else who does it differently.
You'll be fine.
Tika
New member
DANGERDAN and all,
This has been a most robust coupling of information, food for thought, research and per usual Q of Defol: (understand I agree with all of the above but speaking to individual grows)
...as I was feeding my humble 6 plants in the 5x9 tent that may seem huge to some but isn't really- hauling them one by one in and out of the tent I was reviewing this thread in my head (therefore talking to myself).
prefacing the below blab with the comment that I DO NOT consider myself an expert grower, nor professional, nor newbie..but always questioning..always wondering...I am a STUDENT OF MY TEACHING PLANTS.
Usually 8 plants in the flower tent and 3 different strains. Grown continuously for 5 years maybe?
POINT: to or not to defoliate depends on MY conditions and strains in MY CONTROLLED environment COUPLED with the LST training from veg to finish always ongoing-twisting down / adding wire as the plant develops and do so when I am feeding because thank you NebulaHaze they are more accepting while you do it during moistening.
LST is NOT a one time event and you may add more wires and twist wires as you go which will depend on your topping and fiming practice too. LST will also inform your defol practice.
Revealing bud sites to light, air flow, and leaving enough fans for photosynthesis ...if you are a small grower inside...YOUR plants will tell you what THEY NEED.
Raise the light/ lower the light, defol, pretty much based on your top or fim choices in seeking a canopy for your light source (including air flow).
Getting at: how you top,fim, lst, space, light, medium. strain and quality (of plant and your environment) will dictate your defol in the end including tendency to sativia or indica.
Green75 with autos has defied all rules, and is growing plump yielding autos.
Where ever you are @RoyalNugs brought temperance to my process / miss you
AND obviously SiriusFourside and NebulaHaze you have been my guide in finding my way-only the kingdom knows how much I love you
IF I were growing outside in abundance - I would not defol but would be up to my ass in "organic" pesticides.
finally...look at your plants and seek their need.
much love
This has been a most robust coupling of information, food for thought, research and per usual Q of Defol: (understand I agree with all of the above but speaking to individual grows)
...as I was feeding my humble 6 plants in the 5x9 tent that may seem huge to some but isn't really- hauling them one by one in and out of the tent I was reviewing this thread in my head (therefore talking to myself).
prefacing the below blab with the comment that I DO NOT consider myself an expert grower, nor professional, nor newbie..but always questioning..always wondering...I am a STUDENT OF MY TEACHING PLANTS.
Usually 8 plants in the flower tent and 3 different strains. Grown continuously for 5 years maybe?
POINT: to or not to defoliate depends on MY conditions and strains in MY CONTROLLED environment COUPLED with the LST training from veg to finish always ongoing-twisting down / adding wire as the plant develops and do so when I am feeding because thank you NebulaHaze they are more accepting while you do it during moistening.
LST is NOT a one time event and you may add more wires and twist wires as you go which will depend on your topping and fiming practice too. LST will also inform your defol practice.
Revealing bud sites to light, air flow, and leaving enough fans for photosynthesis ...if you are a small grower inside...YOUR plants will tell you what THEY NEED.
Raise the light/ lower the light, defol, pretty much based on your top or fim choices in seeking a canopy for your light source (including air flow).
Getting at: how you top,fim, lst, space, light, medium. strain and quality (of plant and your environment) will dictate your defol in the end including tendency to sativia or indica.
Green75 with autos has defied all rules, and is growing plump yielding autos.
Where ever you are @RoyalNugs brought temperance to my process / miss you
AND obviously SiriusFourside and NebulaHaze you have been my guide in finding my way-only the kingdom knows how much I love you
IF I were growing outside in abundance - I would not defol but would be up to my ass in "organic" pesticides.
finally...look at your plants and seek their need.
much love
Last edited:
alltatup
New member
I just went back and reviewed my grow #5 journal. I lollypopped and I was more aggressive with the nutrients, but I didn't defol. Those were the biggest colas I have grown. I was just thinking that I need to do the same grow over again--WW, Lithium OG Kush, C99 and Chemdawg, using the same methods. Here's p. 4 from that journal, and if you look at the pics over the next few pages, you'll see the buds I got. It was my best grow in spite of the hermied C99 and some seeds.
https://forum.growweedeasy.com/foru...awg-c99-lithium-og-kush-iced-grapefruit/page4
https://forum.growweedeasy.com/foru...awg-c99-lithium-og-kush-iced-grapefruit/page4
Tika
New member
RIGHT and I did not mention Lolli popping and indeed it is subject to individuality. I do some but then get greedy and like the little ones...
My point being one has to get to making decisions with a little why to get there. as in how many times did you or top your first grow to get where you are?? I shook everytime I fimed. Like to top and fim
love ya girl
My point being one has to get to making decisions with a little why to get there. as in how many times did you or top your first grow to get where you are?? I shook everytime I fimed. Like to top and fim
love ya girl
DrPhoton
New member
I just prune bottom branches and leaves prior to flowering. The rest is training practices to make best use of the available light source.
I understand it might be confusing for some, i merely just provide the information for people who wish to refine their own understanding and make a decision based on that. I have actually made several changes over the days to improve the readability. I feel its at its best at the moment. It makes me worry how my next article is going to be interpreted as that is far more detailed and lengthy compared to this. I may have to shoot myself as i am more than halfway done ^.^
I understand it might be confusing for some, i merely just provide the information for people who wish to refine their own understanding and make a decision based on that. I have actually made several changes over the days to improve the readability. I feel its at its best at the moment. It makes me worry how my next article is going to be interpreted as that is far more detailed and lengthy compared to this. I may have to shoot myself as i am more than halfway done ^.^
Vitreous
New member
I fuckin hear ya.Just Because a plant says its level of THC is 21%, doesn't mean the grow achieved this amount. I had many arguments about THC levels, which Is why I started testing. I don't speak for the buds I produce, cause I don't smoke it anymore.
I let the people tell the story, and the people say "what ever your doing, don't stop". I live in a city with a million people and weed is everywhere. I have tested the bag weed from multiple street guys and be lucky if the weed is 18%. I have honestly run into a problem where I don't produce enough and the demand is large, people don't want the street weed once they taste nothing but top shelf. Te-he-he! Anyways, I one of those that if i'm going in,.. I'm going in deep.
So I do my best not to waste valuable time and money, and grow the best of the best.
I am being egged on to write a small grow book, I have actually contemplated this idea into like say a small pocket book. I have a great title, but I can't share it, because boy if I do-do it. Its going to sell.
I let the people tell the story, and the people say "what ever your doing, don't stop". I live in a city with a million people and weed is everywhere. I have tested the bag weed from multiple street guys and be lucky if the weed is 18%. I have honestly run into a problem where I don't produce enough and the demand is large, people don't want the street weed once they taste nothing but top shelf. Te-he-he! Anyways, I one of those that if i'm going in,.. I'm going in deep.
So I do my best not to waste valuable time and money, and grow the best of the best.
I am being egged on to write a small grow book, I have actually contemplated this idea into like say a small pocket book. I have a great title, but I can't share it, because boy if I do-do it. Its going to sell.