so i ended up cutting off almost all the fan leaves and left the tops in tact, the plants are about 8-10in tall. i did this because i wanted to focus the growth on the tops but i'm afraid i might've over done it. will they survive?
yeah they will but you just fucked the photosynthesis process that creates ur buds. i did it before two. the plant grows leafs for a reason to process light.also, when u trim it up, it stresses the plant. buds dont really process light. leafs do. sorry. im sure they will still finish but u most likely put a dent into ur harvest
I had this same problem, I'm a super oober noob since I haven't even ever smoked before but I grow a mean tomato I over trimmed my fan leaves just before flower a few weeks ago BUT by the mercy of the Ganja Gods a bunch more fan leaves started popping out everywhere as the buds came in. I'm growing white widow and from what I've read she is a finicky lady. She reacted just fine, if she wants to grow she will if she sucks at life she'll die.. But if I was a betting lady I'd say odds are in your favor patience young grasshopper!!
trimming the lower growth is fine but you usually want to wait until the plant is bigger so that she can redirect her growth more effeciently.
When trimming the lower branches I try to leave the fan leaves, they are like solar panels collecting energy for nighttime. Either way, don't sweat I am sure that they will survive as long as you take care of them but it will take them some time to recover. Keep them in veg.