Theories of defoliation

One thing I've observed two months into my first grow is that of all the advice floating around the internet about growing cannabis, few topics are more vague, arbitrary and downright contradictory than that of defoliation.

Some say to remove the lower growth via lollipoping. Others advocate thinning the canopy to let light down to that growth.

The advice on when to defoliate is likewise all over the map. Little by little or all at once. Before the switch to flower; after the switch. Etc., etc.

I've read that new growth is more efficient at photosynthesis and I've read than big fan leaves are better at it.

I have a hard time believing there aren't some experienced growers on this forum with empirical experience grounded in actual plant theory who can clear this up.

Your environment is your BIGGEST factor in how you should train/grow your plant, metabolism is governed by the whole plant not leaf by leaf, stripping a plant under high light levels will likely slow it down.

I'm also about 2 months into my first grow. While asking a similar question I was pointed to a site for info.

https://www.santyerbasi.com/en/blog/cannabis-defoliation/

Helped me at least understand better Happy growing!

newbie2323 said:

One thing I've observed two months into my first grow is that of all the advice floating around the internet about growing cannabis, few topics are more vague, arbitrary and downright contradictory than that of defoliation.

Some say to remove the lower growth via lollipoping. Others advocate thinning the canopy to let light down to that growth.

The advice on when to defoliate is likewise all over the map. Little by little or all at once. Before the switch to flower; after the switch. Etc., etc.

I've read that new growth is more efficient at photosynthesis and I've read than big fan leaves are better at it.

I have a hard time believing there aren't some experienced growers on this forum with empirical experience grounded in actual plant theory who can clear this up.

Click to expand...

Wait until you ask about flushing.

hotrodharley said:

Wait until you ask about flushing.

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I've read and seen the banter for both of these things. Tough for a noob to grasp what would be best for them but it is quite amusing to see how heated people get.

I feel that the possible benefits of defoliation depend on whether it's an indoor or outdoor grow. That big ball of fusing hydrogen in the sky creates uniform light intensity from head to toe, something that's impossible to duplicate with artificial lighting. The sun also moves across the horizon so that exposes more areas of the plant canopy to lighting. Because of that, I tend to not do as much defoliating on outdoor plants.
Indoor grows are completely different. It's impossible to provide the same uniformity of PPFD from the top of the canopy to the bottom. This creates little effective growth in the lower, interior portions of the plant. That is the primary reason I do stripping.

Something to note with defoliation is reading a deficiency.

The deficiency will show up in the oldest leaves (if mobile) and if you get rid of them you’re not going to know about it until it’s affective leaves you don’t want to lose.

Food for thought

hotrodharley said:

Wait until you ask about flushing.

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Or the best lighting lol.

My theory is that so long as the plants aren’t stressed and you have good control of the environment, temp, Rh defoliating or not isn’t going to effect the final outcome. If the lower leaves aren’t getting enough light to be efficient they’re going to get pale and the plant will defoliate itself or you can encourage it. I do go in and check the lower plant for bud sites that are weak or really delayed and probably won’t do much and I trim those out leaving the fan leaf. It probably costs in yield but I don’t like trimming Larf.

SPLFreak808 said:

Your environment is your BIGGEST factor in how you should train/grow your plant, metabolism is governed by the whole plant not leaf by leaf, stripping a plant under high light levels will likely slow it down.

Click to expand...

Plenty of people strip their plants and they turn out just fine under high light.

newbie2323 said:

I have a hard time believing there aren't some experienced growers on this forum with empirical experience grounded in actual plant theory who can clear this up.

Click to expand...

Most have grown tired of trying to kick water uphill. Trying both ways and seeing for yourself will give the best answer.

Armyofsprout said:

Plenty of people strip their plants and they turn out just fine under high light.

Click to expand...

When you run a dialed room with high light levels, you dont want plants that are "just fine", they grow extra leafy under high par levels for a reason, more stomatas = more gas exchange, faster metabolism.

Not sure what your definition of defoliation really is, pruning/lollipopping ok i get it but stripping leaves (cannabis,peppers,onions ect) beyond 20% from flowering plants in a strong environment (outdoor ect) usually show negitive results.

I've been defoiliating every indoor grow. But I'm tired of seeing hella leafy buds. So I think I'll stop. I also read that the brix levels drop when you take leaves, which I can understand. In other words, your plants are healthier throughout the grow with its leaves

I think I'll still defoliate in veg tho and just lollipop in flower

I only leave the stuff thats getting light and a few lower fan leaves

I never cut a single leaf off the plant until I chop and harvest.

Some Strains fuckin LOVE IT! Others don't give a great response. Like anything, gotta try to fly.
https://www.growweedeasy.com/nebulas-flowering-stage-defoliation-tutorial

https://www.growweedeasy.com/defoliation


When NOT to defoliate in Veg

• Plant is unhealthy or slow growing
• Strain is known to be finicky and tough to grow
  
• Plant is not very leafy
  
• First-time or new grower
  

There are enough people showing it been done from heavy to medium to not at all and still having excellent results.

It suits some situations more than others. But as already said like many topics of heated argument its best to try both ways a few times and draw your own conclusions.

two reasons why i do it. easier to trim and fatter denser buds

Am encounter different strains responds different on defoliation.. not all benefits from defo..

Amnesia Haze 10 week cut,4 time defoliated.. after first week of flowering,second,third and little bit in fourth
and i haved hugest yield ever under Gavita 1000 DE,it was something little over 1800 grams in organic
setup whithouth adding CO2..

Some other strains was also show good "relply" back if defoliated... but i haved also those that hated defo
and i sees they yielded lot less than usually..