Ripping off lower buds

[GhostToker]

Guys what's the consensus on ripping off lower buds/budsites? Does it increase the yield at the top, does it not do anything, or does it have a negative effect? Lets ignore CFL's/other low penetrating lights in this discussion.

If someone says they should be taken off, then when is a good time to take them off? And how far down do you go before its no longer considered a 'lower bud'?

 

[Che]

should be taken in the first 3 weeks of flowering, and the bottom 1/3 or so of the plant, depending on your grow style It's sometimes referred to as lollipopping

 

[blackone]

I trim up the bottom when I switch to 12/12. Still some lower buds are always gonna be shaded out. Some people return with the scissors around week 2-3 when it's apparent which buds are going to turn into pupcorn.
I don't bother to be honest... I like bubblehash and I don't know how much it affects yield of the upper buds compared to the value of the bubblehash I can make from the popcorn.
I'm thinking if you only have a small pot compared to the expected yield of the plant then the extra yield of quality buds when trimming up the bottoms might be substantial. (lower buds only "steal" water and nutes - not light)

 

[Owl Mirror]

Dude! I savor all my lower buds ;>}

 

[SupA NovA]

I remove them because its very minimal "gain" to the yeild but adds more trimming into the equation...also if the plant doesnt have to focus energy on slamm lower branches/bud sites it can focus more of its energy on the colas to they can get bigger. Plus I get them out for good air flow, and less places for bugs to hide.

 

[Maj.PotHead]

i use duel 400w lights and remove everything 16 inch below the canopy by end of 2nd wk of flower. it will make your tops larger and weight more because the plant isnt putting energy into lower shaded ereas. all bud making energy is placed into the upper portions of the plants.

a 1/8th of lowers not removed and harvested dried can translate into approx 1/4 z or more up top if lowers are removed.

 

[Joe Hawkins]

I dont buy that theory on the plants concentrating energy to top buds, If the plants need energy, they will get it from the nutrient mix and the lighting.
I find (in my case) that I actually lose yield by trimming but the bottom buds can get a bit airy, but its all material that can be used on the bubble bags.
Its more case of making them look pretty and worthy of a kodak moment by trimming, but also can save on manicure times.

Really, its all about canopy penetration for lower budsites, My last crop I didnt veg them as long and the penetration got rock nuggets all the way to the bottom of the stem, but yielded a pound less than normal.