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Defoliating Autos?
- Thread starter Snoopster
- Start date
I tried it once in my auto growing youth, and it had very bad effects..
Strain was lowlife white russian.
I was using a large CFL verticaly, They were growing very nicely but foliage was touching the CFL and crisping at the tips, and generally crowded in there.
I Took leaves in one sitting...And they hated it, a few weeks delay in bud production and produced crappy, extra leafy buds afterwards.
A few years later and I do remove leaves to aid airflow, or if penetration becomes an issue like in a AF-SOG, but I do it gradually, a leaf or two max per plant in one sitting, leave several days and see how they get on.
I might start this after a few weeks to mid flower for them. More approaching mid flower.
Whether this boosts yield, is inconclusive, i haven't done a straight side by side.
I just kind of do what feels right at the time for the space and plants factoring in as many things as i can.
Strain was lowlife white russian.
I was using a large CFL verticaly, They were growing very nicely but foliage was touching the CFL and crisping at the tips, and generally crowded in there.
I Took leaves in one sitting...And they hated it, a few weeks delay in bud production and produced crappy, extra leafy buds afterwards.
A few years later and I do remove leaves to aid airflow, or if penetration becomes an issue like in a AF-SOG, but I do it gradually, a leaf or two max per plant in one sitting, leave several days and see how they get on.
I might start this after a few weeks to mid flower for them. More approaching mid flower.
Whether this boosts yield, is inconclusive, i haven't done a straight side by side.
I just kind of do what feels right at the time for the space and plants factoring in as many things as i can.
stinkhairs
Member
Are you talking about the large fan leaves? I've often wondered this. On the one side, it allows more light to reach the parts that were covered. On the other hand, surely every leaf has a photosynthetic purpose, and removing leaves just lessens the amount the plant can absorb as a whole?
This is a question that needs to be answered by those who don't grow autoflowers - as with af's there's a time limit that you don't want to mess with by making them unhappy.
This is a question that needs to be answered by those who don't grow autoflowers - as with af's there's a time limit that you don't want to mess with by making them unhappy.
Theres a 100+ page thread on defoliation, but it's largely arguments so I found it a bit of a headache to read.
Indeed, as you mention the cycle is so short it's better to keep them happy,
Tucking fan leaves is the better option if you want to expose lower branches.
I mainly remove leaves to help with airflow in a dense canopy, as mould can be a concern for me.
And a little at a time is the way to avoid stress.
Indeed, as you mention the cycle is so short it's better to keep them happy,
Tucking fan leaves is the better option if you want to expose lower branches.
I mainly remove leaves to help with airflow in a dense canopy, as mould can be a concern for me.
And a little at a time is the way to avoid stress.
