Defoliation VS Harvesting in Sections

Like the title says... Looking for thoughts and idea/opinions on Defoliation before flipping the lights as opposed to harvesting in sections at the end... As in chopping top sections and letting the smaller buds grow some more to get some weight... Maybe 2 - 4 sections from top to bottom


TIA..

I chop all at once. I don’t defoliate but recently I started to go through and get rid of bud sites down low that are not going to amount to anything. It probably reduces yield. For me trimming that fluffy little stuff is just too much trouble. If it’s not pretty in don’t keep it anyway.
That said, I recently saw a reply to another thread that got my attention. It’s killing me that I can’t find it now because I meant to get back to discuss further. It was from a grower that I respect, and I hope I have this right, and that I understood it correctly, my apologies In advance if I didn’t. He said, if you harvest in sections and let the lower bud develop, the lower buds will have a higher THC content than the main colas harvested earlier.

Honestly I am not big into defoliation. I agree with @Merlin1147 about pruning off the branches that don't get any light. I like to do this at day 20 of 12/12, after the stretch, then you can really see what needs to go. I believe this makes the top buds bigger as all the plants energy is focused there.

Another option is side lighting. this is what I do and it really boosts yield. If you have the space and can cool the added heat, thats the way to go.

You guys and this lighting thing..

Lower bud sights do not need direct light to develope. They do need more direct light to ripen properly.

Defoliation is NOT a productive way to grow anything. It creates smaller but rather dense buds with a lower bag appeal. You do get "some" yield increase but, most who practice defoliation. Do way, way to much!

The leaves are the "food factories" of your plant.. If you reduce the amount of food production... What do you think is really going to happen?

I lollypop my plants before they go into bloom.... Don't you remove "suckers" from your tomato plants? Those ain't leaves either...

Interior bud sites or ones near the main stem that stay shaded. Get removed before bloom...

I also do a staggered harvest in 2 steps on my big plants... Some strains need it, others, do not.
Merlin is correct in saying that the lower buds have higher THC levels also.....
I have long time, well educated patients that only want those lower "second harvest" buds...
Your big old mains are nice, and sell out quick but, those lowers pack the power.. Sometimes the difference can literally be staggering..

mattman089 said:

Like the title says... Looking for thoughts and idea/opinions on Defoliation before flipping the lights as opposed to harvesting in sections at the end... As in chopping top sections and letting the smaller buds grow some more to get some weight... Maybe 2 - 4 sections from top to bottom

Click to expand...

I don't defoliate mine. I grow White Widow exclusively. I grow two plants at a time, top them once and let them go under a 600 watt MH/HPS.

I net between 4 to 6 ounces per plant with relative ease. At least a half ounce from each plant comes off of lower branches with only a couple buds each. It adds up.

These are some great replies thanks everyone. Im gonna stick with harvesting in batches.

i defol last week before chop, to shut down the sugar making process and eat whats left,