Lollipop and defoliation reduces very marginally the yield tho, BUT you "gain" that back n quality!!!
I agree with pretty much everything that has been mentioned above......
I'm no expert in any sense, even common......Ha........
My veg area is kinda small, so I've gotta control them.........my flowering area, ( veg area till flower )
Defoliating is a great experimental way to learn......but usually, just gently opening up the canopy by lightly tying the branches outward.....
Anything dead, or dying.......gone......
I personally like heavy defoliating 1ish week before flip......heavy.....
There may be a lower yield, but I see larger gains......it definitely depends on veg time, and all growing aspects......
For sure, your on the last of the time-frame for defoliating.......
Tie it back a touch to open the canopy........looks like your light will cover what you open.............gently.........
P.S. if your bored -
1. Are you growing from seed or clones?
2. How old are your plants?
3. How tall are your plants?
4. What type of hydro system are you using?
5. What brand/type of nutrients are you using?
6. What is the Ph of your nutrient solution?
7. What is the PPM/EC of your tap water?
8. What is the PPM/EC of your nutrient solution?
9. What is the temperature of your nutrient solution?
10. Does your PPM/EC show a rise or fall when you do your daily PPM check?
11. Does your pH show a rise or fall when you do your daily check?
12. Do you foliar feed or spray your plants with anything?
13. What kind of lights do you use and how many watts combined? (HPS, MH, fluorescent, halogen, incandescent "plant lights")
14. How close are your lights to the plants?
15. What size is your grow space in square feet?
16. What is the temperature and humidity in your grow space?
17. Have you noticed any insect activity in your grow space?
18. How much experience do you have growing?
Hope this helps.....I'm watching.....