Just looking for insight. I have heavily defoliated at the flip and again at two weeks in. I have been reading that some people will also take off all the sun leaves about a week before harvest. Is this a good idea? Bad idea? I like to hang the plants whole so wouldn't taking those leaves off at the end make them dry too quickly?
Without seeing any pics, I’d urge caution when removing the big fan leaves too zealously. They absorb a lot more energy than the sugar leaves and even if they’re not immediately next to the buds, they still contribute to flower growth.
I usually cut out the inner tangle of fan leaves and smaller leaves from my outdoor plants, thereby proving better airflow.
Removing fan leaves for light exposure is less necessary outdoors because the sun’s energy isn’t significantly diminished a few feet closer to the ground, while an artificial light will be greatly diminished between the top of the plant and the bottom.
Also the sun is more penetrative of the canopy because it “moves.” (Obviously it’s the earth moving but you get my drift.)
