Defoliating: Should I or Shouldn't I?

Hey everyone, I'm sort of new to all this and this is my first fully outdoor grow. I've done a bunch of reading here on defoliating and was under the impression that once the weather gets colder and damper, perhaps late-September or October, mold may become an issue. While the weather is hot though, as it has been lately in southern Ontario, should mold be a concern?

Have a look at my plants if it helps. I'd like to keep the leaves on because I feel like they promote plant growth. I do understand the benefits/drawbacks of removing leave, and was waiting for September, but someone on Instagram advised me to remove some now. With plants that look like the ones in my backyard, would you remove leaves now or wait until just before the colder/damper weather hits?

Thanks.

I would not remove any leaves now.

Ok, thanks for the replies.
I saw that video, it was a good reminder.

I guess that I'll worry about air flow only in late September/early October as the weather changes. If it gets cool and damp outside at that point, I'll work on them at that point.

Thanks so much, both of you.

GiovanniJones said:

Ok, thanks for the replies.
I saw that video, it was a good reminder.

I guess that I'll worry about air flow only in late September/early October as the weather changes. If it gets cool and damp outside at that point, I'll work on them at that point.

Thanks so much, both of you.

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i put a osciliating fan and im in the worst region for humidity and potential rotting etc. The fan has been a game changer outside. doesnt need to be hard. just enough to move in fresh air and help dry a bit. plus, im confident it has made my plants stronger than if they were just sitting there growing upward. the base seems to have a better diameter and balance to the whole plant. That just my observation though.

Some people go overboard with defoliation. They remove most of the fan leaves off the entire plant when in flower. I think they're crazy, and find that it's detrimental to the plants growth. I only remove the lowest leaves and branches that can't reach the outsides of the plant. Generally a foot and a half to 2 feet depending on the plants height. I just did all that thursday, I try to get it done before flowering starts so I don't stress the plant in key stages of growth.