Defoliation: Hi-Yield Technique?

[k33ftr33z]

i do that all the time but Is there something wrong if I ask? all people asking somenthink and i think i am not exeption

Don't worry, you've done nothing wrong. In fact, things look excellent. The first pruning didn't hurt things at all by the looks of the follow-up photo.

You can definitely defoliate again. You will not be encouraging popcorn by utilizing this technique. You will be getting far larger and denser nugs and more weight overall. Do not remove any budsites like may pruners do. Bad practice. Your pic reveals exactly what defoliation accomplishes, even more leaf density and better flower development at all sites. Defoliate and post the result and follow-up in 10 more days. Look forward to see the progress. Crowded conditions like this benefit most from defoliation. Whether the crowding is caused by high plant density or branching density on large single plants, defoliation is the best strategy to assure even budset and eliminate larfing of the lower buds.

Good job so far.

 

[driska]

Don't worry, you've done nothing wrong. In fact, things look excellent. The first pruning didn't hurt things at all by the looks of the follow-up photo.

You can definitely defoliate again. You will not be encouraging popcorn by utilizing this technique. You will be getting far larger and denser nugs and more weight overall. Do not remove any budsites like may pruners do. Bad practice. Your pic reveals exactly what defoliation accomplishes, even more leaf density and better flower development at all sites. Defoliate and post the result and follow-up in 10 more days. Look forward to see the progress. Crowded conditions like this benefit most from defoliation. Whether the crowding is caused by high plant density or branching density on large single plants, defoliation is the best strategy to assure even budset and eliminate larfing of the lower buds.

Good job so far.

Werry grateful man!
i allredy pruning again and looks much better.
So can be cut every two weeks or when again become too bush
Thanks again man

 

[Bassy59]

well k33f, 22 days since flip.

Here's before strip and after. Pics do not do it justice, but the leaves that are there are small. Should I keep stripping or was this enough?

I tried to get pics that show structure fairly well. Sure looks like a shit ton of bud sites all exposed to light. ** I still need to do panda reflection on tubs height.

When I stripped em the leaves that remained drooped a bunch, yet just a few hours later they are all spry and reaching for the LED light.

 

[agoutihead]

I've read many pages in this thread, but it's 200 pages long, almost impossible to read it all.

This technique really intrigues me in order to keep plant count low, but yield as high as possible.

So am I understanding this right, you wait until your clone is about 8" tall and then remove all fan leaves, but leave all nodes/bud sites intact?

Do you then wait X amount of weeks before running another defoilation round? Or do you just pluck any size fan leaves off as you see them growing?

At what stage can super-cropping & topping be included into this growing regiment?

Also, K33, have you produced any videos on this? Those would be very helpful. Pictures are great, but watching you go through a whole plant would be interesting to watch. I youtub'd defoilation, only a couple of videos on it and nothing really that great.

 

[k33ftr33z]

I've read many pages in this thread, but it's 200 pages long, almost impossible to read it all.

This technique really intrigues me in order to keep plant count low, but yield as high as possible.

So am I understanding this right, you wait until your clone is about 8" tall and then remove all fan leaves, but leave all nodes/bud sites intact?

Do you then wait X amount of weeks before running another defoilation round? Or do you just pluck any size fan leaves off as you see them growing?

At what stage can super-cropping & topping be included into this growing regiment?

Also, K33, have you produced any videos on this? Those would be very helpful. Pictures are great, but watching you go through a whole plant would be interesting to watch. I youtub'd defoilation, only a couple of videos on it and nothing really that great.

About 8" is a good time to remove the first fans. You can also top and bend flat at this time if you are comfortable with it but not necessary. The objective in all of this is to build into the vegstage regimen a training program that will develop the strongest possible yielder for the budroom. It takes more time but encourages more budsiting for an overall higher yield per plant. Having a 12 plant limit seems to point to a system that produces the largest yield per plant. Training like this is the strategy to make the most of this limit.

I will be posting a video soon. I am newly relocated to a more friendly locale so that I feel more comfortable with this kind of exposure. I'll also be doing workshops and builds soon in the southwest. Stay tuned.

 

[J.C.grower]

so happy this post exists, i thought that if i plucked too many of the fan leaves it would stun my ladies growth. but thanks to this and K33ftr33z i now understand that what i am doing is good

 

[medmaker420]

My best yields actually happened when I first got started. I used to pluck leaves all the time, just not knowing what I was doing. I always assumed it was simply lucky genetics back then BUT that is really the only thing I do different now versus then.

I think I should give defol a few more tests.

 

[el bee]

Plants wanna grow. I wanna be uber-efficient in use of space, electricity, and money and somehow maximize output. This happens through knowledge. Knowledge comes from doing and observing grows, both yours and others.

I strip, nip, and clip all the way through. I'm experimenting, learning, and revising.

Basically, I grow daily.

 

[k33ftr33z]

My best yields actually happened when I first got started. I used to pluck leaves all the time, just not knowing what I was doing. I always assumed it was simply lucky genetics back then BUT that is really the only thing I do different now versus then.

I think I should give defol a few more tests.

Good to hear you'll try again. Start in veg. Doubters who try this will simply pluck a plant that was never prepared or trained with weak results.

 

[k33ftr33z]

Is SOG dead

Is SOG dead

Creating ample veg time is something that the SOG and tray system ideology discourages. Practitioners usually shoot for the quickest veg time seeing that as a way to make the system more efficient yet vegging uses little comparable wattage and space. I SOGged for years. It's a manic endeavor relative to low-plant-count bucket systems.

The new plant limits in some areas necessitate a review of how to maximize. Clearly SOG is dead for anyone with intentions of true compliance and an eye to grow more than a little. Like the defoliation method, I am sure to upset a few SOGgers with this statement. Shops still seem sell more material related to SOG than any other system. Wonder how long it will take some to do the math that 12 large plants yield more than 12 small ones

 

[driska]

K33 hey!
defoliation has been successful! I think that now that the second trimmed, leaves do not grow as rapidly as after the first cutting.
tell me is whether the constant trimming extended flowering period?

 

[medmaker420]

I am going to start by trimming everything I know will be a p.i.t.a. to trim at the end lol. All big fans, lower growth on each branch and a few other spots. I have a perpetual going so trying different defol options will be fun to test with.

I have a few I can start in veg and go from there. If anything its great ot NOT have to cut MORE leaves later on anyways especially the ones that usually have zero trichs. I am deciding between "effort" and "yield" right now lol.

 

[Ichabod Crane]

I may have gone to far.

 

[bagada]

i only defoliated one time at 21 days flower and i still saw great results...if i would have created more heads during veg and THEN defoliated, i honestly feel i would have doubled my yield.

 

[k33ftr33z]

I may have gone to far.

Yes, you may want to leave a little more growth. This is technically "lollipopping" gone mad. Some people should not have access to blades or scissors. Nice truckload.

I've experienced the same overzealous approach.

 

[Ichabod Crane]

Well actually that plant is hanging in the dry room now. I will have to load the truck up yet again.

k33 that looks like a great set up you have. To ban it's not vert. This thread is great even if I have not posted before now.

 

[bagada]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JfnOu85F3A

 

[CaStoner]

I been doing it this way for awhile, not so extreme though I let more light in for the budsites. I only do a 1000w system 400w and a 600w to help keep electrical cost down. This is a waterfarm system with the eight buckets by themself 2 pumps for airstone and drip.

Largest is around 6.5 foot 25 days into flowering.

Last year crop yeah I just ran out.

 

[Bassy59]

Having a hard time today. I'm in the "releafing" period for another 10-12 days (tho I have taken some) and trying to just do bending where needed.

Problem now is I have 1 plant in the back tub that has 2 tops that are on the same branch that are too high and shading the further back plant really bad. I can't figure out where to bend these two tops for the following reasons:

1. Nodes are extremely close and I'm afraid to hurt or displace another node.
2. There doesn't seem to be any place to bend and not hide other nodes.
3. I'm worried about trying to bend where there is existing scar tissue from any previous bending and don't know if this will hurt these two fine tops.
4. With so many secondary nodes off these branches already at or near the top of canopy, I worry I would bury them when trying to bend below their branch.

 

[J.C.grower]

looks like a beautiful harvest CaStoner!
nicework!
what strain are you growing currently?
JC