Defoliation: Hi-Yield Technique?

[Calimed]

I've been using this technique from clone this past round. Nothing quite as extreme as posted earlier in this thread, but leaves have been snipped almost daily in veg and for most of stretch. Since then, I've been plucking leaves as I see fit...but it is hard since the strain I am currently growing produces a LOT of leaf trichomes.

Since this pic, I have snipped some of the larger leaves up top. They had some carpet, but I felt the need to continue the defoliation experiment. After clipping so many leaves, I still think they look pretty leafy.

 

[k33ftr33z]

Well k33ftr33z I wasn't negative about defoliation thing at all, actually I like this technique, I just wanted to know how much more does it give dry weight compared to natural grow.

As much as I have tried over the years to replicate conditions and outcomes of each cycle, each and every one has had variables that affected yield that were beyond my control. So it is very difficult to give a hard answer like "Defoliaition will definitely increase yield over natural grows" There are just too many variables to make that blanket declaration. Defoliation is a management technique that is especially effective indoors where crowding and the vertical limitations of premium light present the opportunity to get very intensive about training and maximizing the return of all the productive space. Over the years I have seen up to 50% higher yields when comparing optimum conditions and outcomes of each respective(defoliated vs leafed) treatment. I am constantly reworking the hardware and the treatment in search of higher yield and greater efficiency. Strains add an even more unpredictable variable getting acquainted with each one's idiosycracies takes a couple of cycles at very least. Every grow setup is different. I am always impressed with the ingenuity and
outcomes in so many infinitely unique man made environments. So what is working for one grower at any point in time may only be adapted by the observer in limited replication as those variables will always be at play.

 

[k33ftr33z]

i usaly do something similer but not to this extent !! i think the idea of takein leafs off even in veg is counter productive myself !! there is no budding sites to be shadded so why pull all the leafs off i do it soon as i put them on bud !!

any big leafs that might shade lower branchs ect i like to leave on as much as i can if its not shading anything its not doin any harm so ill leave it !!!

maybe ill do an experiment and see if puckin the arse out of it in veg gives any better yeild !!

I use a very small veg space to prep what will be fairly large plants. They veg for about 4-6 weeks. I cannot imagine going without defoliation in that time frame. All the while they are building tight node spacing and branches for the day they get to stretch out in their full roomy bud space. Definitely not counterproductive in this particular scenario.

 

[Smokin Sid]

Hello keeftreez.I will be doing virtually an identical grow as yours.But i have vigorous growing indicas.NL cross Skunk cross White widow.Ive bred this strain and its pure filth.So sticky and potent.I know you say the strain youre using in this thread is NYC which is mainly a sativa and i think you say it finishes in around 8 weeks flower.
Thats quite a short flowering period for a sativa.Are the NYC your own bred seeds or from a seedbank etc? Sorry just curious.And thanks for opening my eyes to this method.

 

[High Country]

As much as I have tried over the years to replicate conditions and outcomes of each cycle, each and every one has had variables that affected yield that were beyond my control. So it is very difficult to give a hard answer like "Defoliaition will definitely increase yield over natural grows" There are just too many variables to make that blanket declaration. Defoliation is a management technique that is especially effective indoors where crowding and the vertical limitations of premium light present the opportunity to get very intensive about training and maximizing the return of all the productive space. Over the years I have seen up to 50% higher yields when comparing optimum conditions and outcomes of each respective(defoliated vs leafed) treatment. I am constantly reworking the hardware and the treatment in search of higher yield and greater efficiency. Strains add an even more unpredictable variable getting acquainted with each one's idiosycracies takes a couple of cycles at very least. Every grow setup is different. I am always impressed with the ingenuity and
outcomes in so many infinitely unique man made environments. So what is working for one grower at any point in time may only be adapted by the observer in limited replication as those variables will always be at play.

Just like normal farmers many of us are trying to increase yield. In agriculture this process has been evolving for 1000's of years. Improving strains, breeding, training, fertilizers, machinery and now genetics. What one farmer does will not guarantee it will work for another, lots of variable to consider eg climate, temps, water.

I agree with your response wholeheartedly and I haven't even tried the defoliation technique.

 

[Smokin Sid]

Love KOG

 

[High Country]

Love your work KOG and your outlook on things man.Ive kept your video and it gives me a dead set laugh every time.And you personally have got me to bring my numbers right down for legal reasons as keeftreez has shown as well.You are the real KOG arent you?

No Sid, I am not KOG, I am High Country. Mind you I like his work, that bloke's a farmer and a good one at that.

 

[High Country]

Love KOG

You just edited your last post.

 

[disciple]

 

[disciple]

 

[Phedrosbenny]

Here are a few pictures of a Nirvana White Rhino 89 days in veg.It has been LSTed,topped,and defoilated through its whole life.I beleive the defoilation has helped to grow all the side braching you see in the pics.

 

[Bob-Hope]

snap.... i got me one of those as well. 7 wks veg

Bob

 

[Bob-Hope]

although its now in flower and looks like a juniper bush.

 

[Phedrosbenny]

Yours looks good.Im really trying to get close to that one pound yield.I figure growing a bush is the best way to go at at.

Hey I looked at your pic and it kinda looked like you had hydroton on top of soil..is that right? and if so..Why do you do it?Moisture?

 

[Relentless]

my gals LOVE being tortured. the leaves come back in 10 fold it seems..

 

[Bob-Hope]

i would love to yield 1lb a plant,but i feel as i only use 6.5ltr pots i may struggle,but half a lb would be nice.

the pots are filled with straight coco,and topped of with a 3" layer of hydroton,the 2 main reasons being. i like to have the ability to flood my plants when i see fit, having this layer means i don't damage the root zone that would otherwise be close to the surface.
and ive never had any form of flying gnat/bug with this layer in place,where as some times with coca straight to the top of the pots ive had issues in the past.
Bob

 

[slowandeasy]

i would love to yield 1lb a plant,but i feel as i only use 6.5ltr pots i may struggle,but half a lb would be nice.

the pots are filled with straight coco,and topped of with a 3" layer of hydroton,the 2 main reasons being. i like to have the ability to flood my plants when i see fit, having this layer means i don't damage the root zone that would otherwise be close to the surface.
and ive never had any form of flying gnat/bug with this layer in place,where as some times with coca straight to the top of the pots ive had issues in the past.
Bob

Use Smart Pots or Air pots to get bigger yields with less medium. Good luck.

 

[MisterGreen420]

Hey wuts up everyone.Im new to the grow scene and currently have a autoflower grow going..Can I use this technique on auto flowers...and if so how much leaf should i remove and when ect.

 

[BorkBorkBork]

Let's see what Great White Shark thinks. First defoliation in flower (16 days). Caught this thread late, so they only got a few rounds of defol in veg, but next round will be proper.

Before

After

 

[MisterGreen420]

Hey wuts up everyone.Im new to the grow scene and currently have a autoflower grow going..Can I use this technique on auto flowers...and if so how much leaf should i remove and when ect.