I personally HAVE TO defoliate, because the CMH I use produces so many leaves that my tent gets too full. Even in flower the plants push out leaves, take one and two will take its place. Also in veg I've noticed that LST and de-foliating cause the plants to grow a lot more budsites. I consider myself an amateur with a lot to learn, but every time I don't remove leaves, I end up with less yield and more popcorn.
ps. DrFever, those buds in your pictures don't look that impressive... nor dense.
ps. DrFever, those buds in your pictures don't look that impressive... nor dense.