Are ball-shaving millennials more likely to excessively defoliate than long-hairs growing since the '70s?

Apostatize

Well-Known Member
Outdoors, leaves serve several functions including storing sugar. But indoors, if your plants are well-fed (light, nutes, etc.), do leaves become mostly irrelevant? Trying to choose strains with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio -- it's the small leaves that crowd bud sites that are most annoying and add time to trimming.

But I'm starting to get OCD about any leaves that might be blocking light to a lower bud site (prioritizing cutting big fans, dark leaves, leaves growing inward toward the center/stalk).
 
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Apostatize

Well-Known Member
Haha, I'm just wondering if it's more cultural than scientific. I see high-yield pics from both approaches. Could be that both approaches work, it's just that some people don't care if they eliminate popcorn buds via defoliating, they just minimize it by cutting off lower branches.
 
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Star Dog

Well-Known Member
I'm more 70s I don't remove leafs besides the odd unruly ones, my view is the lower buds don't need light it's the leafs, just like an apple or a rose doesn't need light it's the leafs that use it/convert it to sugar and starches.

What can a bud do with light?
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
There’s selective defoliation. Then there’s those who overdo everything. I only remove leaves that can’t receive light when tucked out of the way. If it can’t receive light it’s pretty much just a leech and a potential source of mobile nutrients in the event of deficiency.
 

StareCase

Well-Known Member
From experience ... cause I had the same question.

I've done one with major leaf stripping ( and I don't even shave my nuts!! ) and I have done one without a major leaf removal. Everything in each grow was the same - nutes, lights, strains, temps, fans, growing medium, even the NY Giants 5-11 seasons ... everything was the exact same. Bud were bigger when the plants had more fan leaves.

Go with Harley's advice - tuck if you can, selective leaf removal if you can't.
 

drsaltzman

Well-Known Member
There are leaves in buds, many of them, so yes, buds do use light.
I always defoliate the bottom crap. I don't know if it does anything but make me happy, but I always grow nice buds.
Fan leaves 2/3 up I only remove when they are fully faded. Maybe one here or there before that if it's a jungle and I'm trying to create some airflow.
 

MICHI-CAN

Well-Known Member
I only have one question. How are you replacing natural predation in your alien environment? High tech arrogantly and ignorantly removes things most never consider. Let alone have any concept of. The follies of mankind.

And pinch those leaves and small stems with your finger nails. Animals don't carry precision Fiskar's. LOL.

Just a thought not often in our threads.
 

ComfortCreator

Well-Known Member
I only have one question. How are you replacing natural predation in your alien environment? High tech arrogantly and ignorantly removes things most never consider. Let alone have any concept of. The follies of mankind.

And pinch those leaves and small stems with your finger nails. Animals don't carry precision Fiskar's. LOL.

Just a thought not often in our threads.
MICHI-CAN....we ARE the predators. The plants never make it out alive. Usually hacked to pieces. But don't tell them the word may spread.
 

Apostatize

Well-Known Member
are ball-shaving millennials different than soy-boy beta cucks?
yes, i'd think ball-shavers are in a bigger tent. haha. although my initial question is goofy, what i'm getting at is that some tips are trends, some are tried and true. if you're selling something, you're going to claim it provides an edge. also, some trends are cultural, not necessarily scientific or necessarily advantageous to your particular grow. it's helpful to know the difference. each tip i incorporate, each adjustment I make, I won't necessarily see its effects for months. and if I'm wrong, I've wasted that many months of my lights' life.
 
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MICHI-CAN

Well-Known Member
yes, i'd think ball-shavers are in a bigger tent. haha. although my initial question is goofy, what i'm getting at is that some tips are trends, some are tried and true. if you're selling something, you're going to claim it provides an edge. also, some trends are cultural, not necessarily scientific or necessarily advantageous to your particular grow. it's helpful to know the difference. each tip i incorporate, each adjustment I make, I won't necessarily see its affects for months. and if I'm wrong, I've wasted that many months of my lights' life.
Nothing to sell here. Just my sanity and a big "F-U" to capitalism. I do have a strict jar exchange policy though. I'm convinced of defoliation's benefits. But you must read the plant to actually see the advantages. Where and why most avoid the subject. Like everything in life. Is it learned or come natural. I'll be glad when they bottle instinct. LMAO. Try and learn. Photos are very forgiving if in a proper environment and healthy.
 

ZenWolf

Well-Known Member
I just want to take the opportunity to say: It's well past time to stop picking on Millennials. Most Millennials are mid-career with kids and some are even retiring already!

It's time to start picking on the Zoomers instead!

And stay off my lawn!
 
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