Should I remove affected leaves?

[Hermit43]

Hello all,
I am a novice grower but seasoned consumer.

My question is when you see and diagnose imperfections in the leaves, do you subsequently cut off the affected area or just let it go? Does it take away food or energy from other growth? Instinct tells me to chop it off.

BTW.plants are 2 weeks in to flowering..

If I have missed a thread that explains it please direct me.

Thanks,
Hermit43

 

[Johnny Rotten]

Definitely do not cut off affected leaves if your facing nutrient deficiencies. The reason you are seeing the deficiencies is because the plant is using the nutrients out of the leaves to continue growth. Removing the leaves only makes the plant look to the next leaf for the required nutrient which further compounds your problem.

 

[toodles]

I disagree with Johnny as I sometimes do

Here is a "paper" of sorts from "overgrow" on removing fan leaves. I think it is well done. Parts are a bit tedious, but VERY good info IMO.

http://www.drugs-forum.com/growfaq/1546.htm

The bigger question is WHY are your leaves dying this early in flowering? Don't let people tell you that it's "normal" for leaves to yellow 2 weeks into flowering. They're full of shit.

Toodles

 

[Johnny Rotten]

Toodles, that paper doesn't touch on the topic at hand. That is about trimming fan leaves to increase growth, which is a debatable topic. I think some benefit can be had from modest pruning and tucking but thats not what he's asking.

If you are having a pure nutrient deficiency, of course you need to correct that problem first before doing any kind of pruning. The plant is hungry, and it is cannibalizing leaves to feed its hunger. Pruning leaves without fixing the problem will cause the problem to be inflamed.

Removing fan leaves because of a fungus or pest problem could be beneficial if the problem is so bad that sprays are doing nothing. Again, use your best judgment.

 

[toodles]

Toodles, that paper doesn't touch on the topic at hand. That is about trimming fan leaves to increase growth, which is a debatable topic. I think some benefit can be had from modest pruning and tucking but thats not what he's asking.

If you are having a pure nutrient deficiency, of course you need to correct that problem first before doing any kind of pruning. The plant is hungry, and it is cannibalizing leaves to feed its hunger. Pruning leaves without fixing the problem will cause the problem to be inflamed.

Removing fan leaves because of a fungus or pest problem could be beneficial if the problem is so bad that sprays are doing nothing. Again, use your best judgment.

You obviously didn't read the whole paper.

Toodles

 

[toodles]

I agree with what you said about correcting the nute deficiency.

I like to remove leaves that are obviously not going to survive....no matter the reason. I just don't like leaving leaves on that are dead/decaying.

It's a judgement call, but the more important issue is why are they yellowing..

Right?

Normally I'm a big fan, no pun intended, of leaving on fan leaves, but only the healthy ones. If a leaf is slightly burned on the edges from nute burn, I leave those alone. They will continue to function, the unburned portions. If the leaf is "yellowing" and dying off that way...lack of nutes, etc. Those usually will NOT live, and I remove them immediately....again. some judgement is required IMO.

Toodles

 

[Johnny Rotten]

Nutrient burn usually causes bottom leaves begin to die however DaGnome (03.15.2002) observed that if you do not remove the leaves then they will absorb damage as premature removal generally results in more leaf loss.

Hmm.....yup I missed this little bit. The rest of the paper is on the premise of a health plant. This bit kinda kills your argument, though if i'm reading it right.

 

[toodles]

LOLOL

I should have given a fuller explanation. It matters a lot why the leaves are dying.

Toodles

Sorry aboutthat

EDIT I'm just so wasted at the moment. I know there's a reason why I said what I did though!!

I think part of it is I was pictureing another grow with really shitty looking leaves and responding here...if that makes sense.

Bottom line:

I generally leave leaves alone unless I "know" they are doomed shortly. then I would remove them.

I have some bottom fans on a plant finishing week 11 now that have had some holes and chewed up looking spots since week 2. I didn't remove them. I hope that follows my own argumnent here LOL!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Those leaves have looked burned like that for 4-5 weeks. The plants dying now but the green parts of those leaves was still quite healthy and functioning. Am I contradicting myself?

 

[Hermit43]

Thanks Johnny and Toodles for the replies.
The problem is I have some leaves that have sort of a blotchiness to them and has been there well before I started to flower them. Of course they are not getting better and was wondering if pruning them would help the rest of the plant that looks decent as of now.

I'm not certain what caused it but I suspect I may have shocked the roots a little when I re potted.
Here is a picture of what I am talking about.

 

[Hermit43]

Here is a closeup of the underside of the leaf in the previous pic.

 

[toodles]

Maybe Johnny knows what that is. I sure don't. If it has been on there for weeks, I'd leave it for now....unless someone says it's from some kind of bug, or a disease of some sort.

The leaf isn't dying yet, or doesn't appear to be dying yet.

Is it spreading upwards to other fans?

I don't think transplanting did it.

Maybe Burn1, Suby, or Stitch can help ID whatever it is.

Toodles