Why is the middle growth removed on manifolds?

Is it a space issue? It just seems weird to go through all the trouble of topping and training and then remove 4 bud sites.

It's just to space out the bud sites so they get plenty of light.

As well as spaced for maximum light you also have the growth concentrated on the sites left.

I figured they probably needed space for the colas to fill in.

So you’ll almost definitely get more from the usual 8 than if you left them on and ran 12 or whatever?

A.k.a said:

Is it a space issue? It just seems weird to go through all the trouble of topping and training and then remove 4 bud sites.

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When you grow them out it will make more sense. Instead of 1 big plant you have 8 mini plants growing together as one almost.
I have left the extra branches on and it's fine. It just requires more manipulation.

Each set grows in opposite directions so it just gets more complicated if you dont remove some.