Trimming fan leaves

Squidbilly

Well-Known Member
I don't defoliate, but I do selectively remove certain leaves. I just don't want people thinking that removing leaves is a bad thing. Everything in moderation! In veg, removing leaves seams to initiate a POSITIVE response, IME. I can remove a leaf that is blocking a lower branch from reaching up to the canopy and gain another top, why wouldn't I remove that leaf? That is an instance where removing a leaf will increase your yeild-it's common sense. Who would rather have a big fan leaf that shades a lower branch that will produce larf over a nice developed top? I dunno, maybe some people get off on that but not me.
 

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
When i did my test plant torture I removed every fan leaf with a stem over 1". It did not stop growing, but did slow in height growth. This was done in three stages. Once at about 2 weeks and again 2weeks later just before flip. After the stretch I again removed the fan leaves. The plant is shorter than its sister but the buds are almost twice the size. This was not a great experiment as the whole grow was a struggle with issues right from the start. Will i do it again? Yup! I need to definitively know if it helps or not. Also it depends on wether I need to rush the run or not. I'm typically running out so speed is of concern and defoliating is probably suited for a longer veg period than my usual 2.5 weeks lol. Great discussion guys and girls! I do think if in doubt you really need to try it for yourself. And yes it is a tried and true method of increasing yields in agro production.
 

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
"This is an issue that needs to be cleared up for the good of the growing community!"

LOL! Doubt it will ever happen and the reasons are diverse. Again as stated by Stoner, enviroment has much to do with it! Some will find that defoilating increases yields and others not so much. That is basically my point. Try it and see for yourself. I would never on any post dictate that "this is way you must do it", and always try to add that I have no ideal what I am doing lol. This for me is a hobby, albeit a dangerous one unfortunatly, that allows me to try different techniques and reap the rewards and suffer failure too lol.
 

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
Well I pulled my Kosher two days ago and the two comparible plants, one defoilated and the other not were basically the same! So My test was inconclusive lol. Real shitty grow though my worst results to date!
 

neo12345

Well-Known Member
Have you got any pics Waterdawg, still would be interesting to see them? At least you proved your plant didn't wilt and die because you pulled a few leaves off!! :bigjoint:
 

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
Have you got any pics Waterdawg, still would be interesting to see them? At least you proved your plant didn't wilt and die because you pulled a few leaves off!! :bigjoint:
No pics sorry, to embarrassing to show the public . Lots of pics of good grows though lol. I am shutting things down for summer and heading into the swamp for a first time auto grow to replenish the stocks . Next fall I will pick one of my more successful strains to try again. I would be hard pressed to do another kosher grow.
 
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