gardengardian7
Well-Known Member
Removing leaves is not the only method of decreasing shading and increasing light penetration. Using light movers, you can supply light at a variety of angles. This can reduce stretch, and light otherwise shaded leaves. Oscillating fans can be aimed to flutter leaves, allowing light to penetrate deeper into the canopy. Reflective material on the walls will also help to redirect wasted light at angles advantageous to lower leaves. For smaller grow rooms, plants can be set at different levels like stadium seating. In theory, this works great; but it is difficult to implement in larger grow rooms, and virtually impossible with many hydroponic systems.
The best answer for improving light penetration is simply to grow shorter marijuana plants. This is one reason that “See of Green” gardens yield so well. With taller plants, the majority of the bottom branches end up in shade. Even if light did penetrate the upper leaves, the lumens reaching the lower branches are so diminished that they yield poorly anyway.
What have you learned?
Do not remove leaves indiscriminately.
Do not remove young leaves unless heavily damaged by bugs or molds.
Do not sacrifice healthy leaves near the light for the sake of lower leaves.
Remove leaves that are beginning to yellow.
Do not remove mature leaves if you have a weak root system.
Use light movers, oscillating fans, and reflective material to improve light penetration
Grow your plants short to keep all the branches as close to the lights source as possible
Use selective pruning to remove sucker shoots that use up valuable plant energy
One final thing to remember: when you remove leaves from your plants, be sure to remove them from the grow room. Piles of leaves in the corner, or in a garbage can, will likely begin to harbor pests or molds. The last thing you want is a waste basket full of botrytis spreading spores through your garden and ruining your harvest.
The best answer for improving light penetration is simply to grow shorter marijuana plants. This is one reason that “See of Green” gardens yield so well. With taller plants, the majority of the bottom branches end up in shade. Even if light did penetrate the upper leaves, the lumens reaching the lower branches are so diminished that they yield poorly anyway.
What have you learned?
Do not remove leaves indiscriminately.
Do not remove young leaves unless heavily damaged by bugs or molds.
Do not sacrifice healthy leaves near the light for the sake of lower leaves.
Remove leaves that are beginning to yellow.
Do not remove mature leaves if you have a weak root system.
Use light movers, oscillating fans, and reflective material to improve light penetration
Grow your plants short to keep all the branches as close to the lights source as possible
Use selective pruning to remove sucker shoots that use up valuable plant energy
One final thing to remember: when you remove leaves from your plants, be sure to remove them from the grow room. Piles of leaves in the corner, or in a garbage can, will likely begin to harbor pests or molds. The last thing you want is a waste basket full of botrytis spreading spores through your garden and ruining your harvest.
This is punishment for being the class clown and laughing at the science teachers tight pants and glasses... lol Im going to put some coffee on and get into this. Great info.
