Defoliating

Currently I have 3 ladies who are 2 weeks into flower. The bud sites are becoming more prominent and I want to ensure they are getting enough light to fully develop. Over the past few days I've noticed that some of the original fan leaves (from the stalk) are blocking a lot of light from these sites. I'm sure these are helpful for plant health overall, photosynthesis, gas exchange, and storage of mobile nutrients.

However, is it customary to defoliate the original fan leaves and to what degree? Is it too late since I am already into flower? I can answer any questions which could help your assessment.


This was taken 2 days ago:

Just do a light trim but it might be too late and stunt her growth.

Clean the fans in here ..... Later pinch off the smallest inner buds ( popcorn ) then your done.

The smallest sucklings ACTUALLY ...... SUCK.

two into flower don't do drastic stuff like cropping but the big fan leaves can go as well as any suckers