Defoliation: Hi-Yield Technique?
- Thread starter Thread starter k33ftr33z
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As you can see , I remove leaves from the secondaries too.
Beginners are always trying to figure out which leaves to keep on.
My dilemma is how much time am I willing to devote on any given day to defoliating. I never sweat which leaves to keep, I strip them all. I have never found any benefit in keeping much leaf.
Beginners are always trying to figure out which leaves to keep on.
My dilemma is how much time am I willing to devote on any given day to defoliating. I never sweat which leaves to keep, I strip them all. I have never found any benefit in keeping much leaf.
Bottom Growth2
Bottom Growth2
This is a follow up to an earlier post of this same bottom growth. This is on the morning of harvest. While some are obsessed with top growth I like well developed bottoms. Tops are a given. If bottoms are this well developed the tops are certainly getting their share of light. Some guys like tops, some like bottoms. I like my girls to be equally well developed.
Bottom Growth2
This is a follow up to an earlier post of this same bottom growth. This is on the morning of harvest. While some are obsessed with top growth I like well developed bottoms. Tops are a given. If bottoms are this well developed the tops are certainly getting their share of light. Some guys like tops, some like bottoms. I like my girls to be equally well developed.
Recap
Recap
I feel I must recap as many are just discovering this thread and it may be too much to find these details.
Too start, this is a beginning to end strategy. If you pick and choose when to deleaf and how much you may not get anything like the results i have posted.
You must start this in veg. Leaf removal in bud is beneficial after stretch but I caution, this is comprehensive and not just occasionally applied. The idea is management and the creation of a more compact plant with more budding sites in a given size.
Stripping and bending takes practice but you must do it to get practice. By starting in veg you risk no bud. Veg plants are replaceable so experiment and be ready to devote a little more time to prepare them.
The strategy I apply is designed to shape a plant to finish within a given space of 32"sq. Heights are 24-30" tall.
I have done many years of SOG and have decided it is too much work for inconsistent yield. Yields are more consistent by training a single plant to use this space instead of 4 or 9 or 25 SOG clones.
32" seems to be a minimum for plants that are allowed to achieve a size and branching that is natural to it's structural and budding capabilities.
Recap
I feel I must recap as many are just discovering this thread and it may be too much to find these details.
Too start, this is a beginning to end strategy. If you pick and choose when to deleaf and how much you may not get anything like the results i have posted.
You must start this in veg. Leaf removal in bud is beneficial after stretch but I caution, this is comprehensive and not just occasionally applied. The idea is management and the creation of a more compact plant with more budding sites in a given size.
Stripping and bending takes practice but you must do it to get practice. By starting in veg you risk no bud. Veg plants are replaceable so experiment and be ready to devote a little more time to prepare them.
The strategy I apply is designed to shape a plant to finish within a given space of 32"sq. Heights are 24-30" tall.
I have done many years of SOG and have decided it is too much work for inconsistent yield. Yields are more consistent by training a single plant to use this space instead of 4 or 9 or 25 SOG clones.
32" seems to be a minimum for plants that are allowed to achieve a size and branching that is natural to it's structural and budding capabilities.
Bending and height
Bending and height
I want short plants. Rather I want short and extremely bushy plants.
Why short and wide as opposed to tall?
It has to do with the physics of artificial lighting. Lights project downward and diminish in intensity as a factor of distance from the source. With a huge reflector like I have built i have spread the light evenly over a field 5' wide. The intensity is relatively equal across a horizontal plane...SO , we want to match that horizontal plane of equal intensity with our productive sites.
This is where the bending takes prominence. The plant is not going to submissively occupy this planar zone of premium light by itself. It needs encouragement in the form of intensive bending and shaping.
When bending I literally crush the stem flat between the thumb and index. Then bend and twist at the same time to position the branch strategically into an empty space and laid on the net. It'll snap up again in 24hrs. The twisting is crucial while bending to prevent breaking/tearing the outer sheath of the stem or splitting open and exposing the inner. Think of it as rope(it is) and twisting makes it stronger(it does). Twist it 360 if you want just for fun. Makes for interesting shapes to the skeleton.
Bending and height
I want short plants. Rather I want short and extremely bushy plants.
Why short and wide as opposed to tall?
It has to do with the physics of artificial lighting. Lights project downward and diminish in intensity as a factor of distance from the source. With a huge reflector like I have built i have spread the light evenly over a field 5' wide. The intensity is relatively equal across a horizontal plane...SO , we want to match that horizontal plane of equal intensity with our productive sites.
This is where the bending takes prominence. The plant is not going to submissively occupy this planar zone of premium light by itself. It needs encouragement in the form of intensive bending and shaping.
When bending I literally crush the stem flat between the thumb and index. Then bend and twist at the same time to position the branch strategically into an empty space and laid on the net. It'll snap up again in 24hrs. The twisting is crucial while bending to prevent breaking/tearing the outer sheath of the stem or splitting open and exposing the inner. Think of it as rope(it is) and twisting makes it stronger(it does). Twist it 360 if you want just for fun. Makes for interesting shapes to the skeleton.
Make those twists 45degrees on the stem as you twist instead of 90. A 90deg bend across the stem is susceptible to breakage.
Plants that are past 2-3 weeks bud are impervious to stem breakage. The stems after this stage are quite durable and require a little less care while bending.
Plants that are past 2-3 weeks bud are impervious to stem breakage. The stems after this stage are quite durable and require a little less care while bending.
R
RustyFord
Not to be rude but, I just want to say so badly "Imagine how much you would have got if you didn't trim the damn leaves off!" As some have suggested... why trim the whole leaf? Why not just trim half the leaf?
But this is very interesting to read, kudos to those who are doing the leg work!
But this is very interesting to read, kudos to those who are doing the leg work!
I trimmed off quite a bit of leaf 4 days ago. I took a few update pics and have to say i see no reduction in bud production. I usually trim all branches off that havent reached the tops. Im noticing an increase in bud growth on the lower branches. Here are all pics up to date. My next round of leaf removal will be on day 32. Peace LL
Before (4 days ago)
After trim (4 days ago)
Today (4 days after trim)
Before (4 days ago)
After trim (4 days ago)
Today (4 days after trim)
I trimmed off quite a bit of leaf 4 days ago. I took a few update pics and have to say i see no reduction in bud production. I usually trim all branches off that havent reached the tops. Im noticing an increase in bud growth on the lower branches. Here are all pics up to date. My next round of leaf removal will be on day 32. Peace LL
Before (4 days ago)
After trim (4 days ago)
Today (4 days after trim)
Proof is in the pictures. They absolutely LOVED being trimmed of their fan leaves. That is some mighty fast bud growth.
Thanks for stopping by and reading.
This technique was developed after dissatisfaction with leafy plants yields. I'm more than satisfied with the results as is the poster between these posts of ours. Check his pics.
I've done it both ways in trial. Now I choose this way for a reason.
I trimmed off quite a bit of leaf 4 days ago. I took a few update pics and have to say i see no reduction in bud production. I usually trim all branches off that havent reached the tops. Im noticing an increase in bud growth on the lower branches. Here are all pics up to date. My next round of leaf removal will be on day 32. Peace LL
Before (4 days ago)
After trim (4 days ago)
Today (4 days after trim)
Lifeless,
Amazing results. I would say strip them cleaner this time, but do it to your own satisfaction. Thanks for posting pics and for having the courage to experiment.
growinman
Member
Awesome, is all I can say! Well, I thought I was the only person that actually did some serious thinning all throughout the grow.......then I see this..... Right on!! Now I am really ready to get back to the pruning and try it as you say, or close! Thanks for this excellent thread!
+rep4u!
Peace
gman
+rep4u!
Peace
gman
City Twin
Member
Whao-Ho! This might be a survival response?
I think its funny how people are so scared to do this. All I have to say is just try it. It works. Cut every fan leaf off in veg and watch it all come back in two days. Check sumdumguy. He has a few real good b4 and after shots. Time to abuse your women they will love it. LOL
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