Okay, i've been reading up on trimming during flowering. Pretty much all leaning against clipping major fan leaves because it stresses the plant and takes away the plants source of energy (photosynthesis). BUT, since this is my first grow, i didn't trim down the plant at all during veg, so my plant is short and bushy as shit. There are popcorn buds ALL down the lower side branches but they are completely underdeveloped (all white hairs) compared to the main cola and sidebranches (70% red hairs).
My question is whether the information i've attained is correct about trimming major fan leaves while flowering, and whether it would be beneficial to trim the major fan leaves that are completely blocking light from getting to the lower canopy so the little buds can mature quicker. Im 9 weeks into flowering and i've got less than a week to go. And last question, is it okay to harvest in shifts so the main cola goes first than the smaller immature side branches go a week later??? or will this stress the plant?? ANY advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!! Happy smokin

i need to know this too!

In my experience, it is best to trim the large fan leaves that shade the lower branches, or cut the ends off of them at least, about half way through flowering. AND, remove all the lower, smaller branches at the start of flowering. The end weight will be the same and the quality and size of the buds will be much better. Remove the fan leaves now to start and finish up the lower buds. Then in about a week, harvest all your large, finished buds. Two or three weeks after harvest the rest.

I wondered the same in the beginning. the info on fan leaves are correct they are powerpants for your bud. I used paper clip to move them down or away from bud areas. I invested in mylar and couple cfls to get light down to lower buds. it worked great. What your light situation? 9 wks you don't have much more to go. Maybe the next grow. yes, you can harvest in sections. as long as it not more than 50% of the plant. Good Luck.

The way I see it, if you cut the fan leaves and the light is going straight through the canopy to the soil, or whatever, you shouldn't have cut them. But, if you can tell that your buds are full enough that cutting the fan leaves means that instead of the leaves catching the light, the buds do, you go ahead and cut the leaves. Wherever direct light hits buds, the buds will swell. Just opinion based on observation.

i had the same problem. i cut off the mature buds. and tried to grow the little buds, its really a lost cause. they dont really get bigger, you can grow them a little longer to get the trichomes to mature though.

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