[OG Expressions]

Originally Posted by mushroombrew

Healthy plants produce way more leaves than they need. It's natural for predators to much some; as you'll know if the deer ever find your patch.

So you can remove lots without too much stress. But only on healthy fast growing plants.

If I was a plant and my leaves got eaten I would grow upwards to get away from predators. And a plant in flower that gets eaten produces more flowers in a self preservation move.
The above is anecdotal and not science. Just my experience.

Deer and rabbits. Plant predators. Bugs too

[mushroombrew]

Originally Posted by OG Expressions

Deer and rabbits. Plant predators. Bugs too

Rabbits? Do you hail from the UK? Those buggers are everywhere!

I miss a good rabbit stew yum.

[Crusader Rabbit]

Originally Posted by mushroombrew

Rabbits? Do you hail from the UK? Those buggers are everywhere!

I miss a good rabbit stew yum.

Say what ???!!!!???

[mushroombrew]

Originally Posted by Crusader Rabbit

Say what ???!!!!???

Don't worry I don't eat the Crusader variety.

[OG Expressions]

Originally Posted by mushroombrew

Rabbits? Do you hail from the UK? Those buggers are everywhere!

I miss a good rabbit stew yum.

Canada. We have lote here especially outside tge cities.

Far as the post below they do certainly taste decent but people around here think its depraved to "eat the poor little bunnys" so its not common.

[HereIgrowagain]

Rabbit nd Black pudding pie mmmmnnmnmnm....Very nice.

So is the consensus sorted now? Defoliation kicks ass once mastered?

[mushroombrew]

It's never sorted. There will always be those who drag huge leafy trees indoors. Especially here in Oregon omg... 8ft leaf bushes each with their own Gavita. Pumping out larf. I've seen a bunch since I've been here. The top 10" yields nice though. haha!

I've been indoor hydro since '90. Short veg, 1plant/sqft with a leaf here and there.

I live in a strict "No Larf" zone.

[Chunky Sloth]

Originally Posted by mushroombrew

Oh sorry. 21 & 42 of flower. No defoliation in veg. It slows them down.
Only do so if you need air flow. Don't strip to 3 fans unless you are in flower

Ok perfect. I'm glad I waited. Something told me that's was too much. Thanks for the clarification and advice. Will try it this run. Lucky for me I tried out a new high CBD strain and napping rather than working.

[Chunky Sloth]

Originally Posted by mushroombrew

It's never sorted. There will always be those who drag huge leafy trees indoors. Especially here in Oregon omg... 8ft leaf bushes each with their own Gavita. Pumping out larf. I've seen a bunch since I've been here. The top 10" yields nice though. haha!

I've been indoor hydro since '90. Short veg, 1plant/sqft with a leaf here and there.

I live in a strict "No Larf" zone.

That's what I'm trying to eliminate. I keep my girls nice and tight and compact, but feel like I dont remove quite enough.

[Junk]

Originally Posted by igrowone

i was a defoliating sceptic, didn't like the idea
however, doing micro grows and it did seem that the big fans weren't optimum for small spaces
and was amazed just how good defoliating can work
you pay a price with a slowed down plant, but 2 weeks later?
you really are filled in completely, except it's a tighter plant, and much better in a micro grow
my 2 coins

Agreed. On paper, it's not a good thing. I disagreed with it's practice heartily.

But you should try anything once (almost anything). And I've tried it, and it does, ime, make the lower sites larger and more mature? I can't think of the right word. Same plant, same light, same environment. It was the same run. Strain was Grape OG which has huge fans.

I basically got the same weight with both. but more buds by defoliating, instead of 7g nugs from the mains. That's why in post #2 I said it seems to take it from the main colas and redistribute it to the lowers and sides. I've had plants that 3 nugs = a zip. Which is fine for me, bc, I grow for my own usage. But other people I help, aren't fans of that look.

So, I forget who it was that said it works out the same either way, but that does seem to be the case. I'll try it on the next round too and if it repeats, I'll take some photos.

I would imagine that like anything else, the plant will dictate what works for it and what doesn't. I would just try it on the plants that are leaf heavy and see what happens. Check your weight, # of buds, and bud quality, and go from there.

The other thing was the defoliated plant flushed quicker, which makes sense...but I just never thought of it.