How much can I safely trim in week 3 flower?

WickedMichelle · Apr 22, 2025

I am trying to get my trimming techniques down. I wanted more lollipop on these however I seem to still have too much growth.

I started week 3 of veg. I took the bottom 1/3 of the plant as recommended by a few videos I have watched. I have seen drastic trimming in veg week 3 but my plant did not look anywhere near the size of the ones that were being lollipop'd.

Where these look much better on the underside compared to my last two grows.... however I still see too many suckers that will not amount to anything.

I have seen that taking these after flower can inhibit the flowering process.

Here is where I am.

I know it is hard to really tell what needs to be trimmed by these photos. But to me they look like there is still a lot that can be trimmed off.

I need to trim some down, that is a given. How much can be trimmed without causing shock or seeding? Will it hurt if I took off some of the smaller/thinner branches with tiny tops that are hidden below the canopy? Open the canopy so the lowers get light and just take some leaves?

Maybe I need to use a lesser aggressive chart for the nutrients. I am using a chart from General Hydroponics, their aggressive grow. This formula seems to make the plants really take off. Maybe I need to drop to moderate. Or lower.

Bobcat.Branch · Apr 22, 2025

Day 20 (you're on the money) is when schwazzers do their final schwazzing trim.

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Schwazzing, a pruning technique for cannabis plants

Discover the pruning method Schwazzing which involves removing many fan leaves to allow a better light penetration and better yields.

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Hope this helps!

I see some lower fans that definitely aren't contributing much.

WickedMichelle · Apr 22, 2025

Bobcat.Branch said:
Hope this helps!

I seem to have missed the recommended time frame. Also concerned in the risk section that experience is recommended. I am not experienced as you can see LOL.

Bobcat.Branch · Apr 22, 2025

WickedMichelle said:
I seem to have missed the recommended time frame. Also concerned in the risk section that experience is recommended. I am not experienced as you can see LOL.

My basic rule is, when first starting out with something new... Less is more. You can always add more salt, but you can't take it out.

You can always trim more leaves, but you can't glue them back on.

Galgrows · Apr 22, 2025

Bobcat.Branch said:
My basic rule is, when first starting out with something new... Less is more. You can always add more salt, but you can't take it out.

You can always trim more leaves, but you can't glue them back on.

Great answer

Bobcat.Branch · Apr 22, 2025

Galgrows said:
Great answer

Your browser is not able to display this video.

JIMKSI64 · Apr 22, 2025

From research and my own grow nodes below 13 inches or so from canopy top get pulled as non viable. Fan leaves in good shape produce energy as low as 300 ppfd but bud sugars need higher amounts so they get plucked.

The problem is that at week 3 your canopy top is not established. It is nice and level but it is going to go up and up unless you tie em down or run them horizontal and dude you look to be out of tent for that.
Great spot to be in and will watch to see how you handle that smokin grow.

WickedMichelle · Apr 22, 2025

Bobcat.Branch said:
You can always trim more leaves, but you can't glue them back on.

I worry about stressing them and having them seed. My 1st grow seeded. Could have been a misuse of additive lights or plant stress. I do need to take out a few more leaves, I may try to take out some of the thin branches that are not reaching the top.

JIMKSI64 said:
The problem is that at week 3 your canopy top is not established. It is nice and level but it is going to go up and up unless you tie em down or run them horizontal and dude you look to be out of tent for that.

There is a net in there and I have the mains spread out to allow for more light into the center. The last trim was 4 weeks ago in veg week 3. They had week 4 to recover before flipping to flower.

They are looking about the same as the last grow, I do not think they will be getting much taller. 2 of these plants are re-grows. They turned out really good last grow so I grew more LOL. My goal is for bigger top colas than last grow. I had a ton of tiny popcorn buds my last 2 grows. I think that kept the top buds from reaching their full potential.

Maybe I will do some trimming when lights come on tonight or sometime early in the morning. I will try not to go too crazy, maybe a few of the thin branches and some inner leaves to open more light through the center.

I did notice that I am almost out of room for the lights to be raised. I think I can go up another inch, not more. They are only at 65% power on a 300w light. No light stress, at least not at the moment. One plant is much shorter and not showing much for flower yet. I am not sure what to do with that as I need to dry in this tent. I really should have checked their grow schedule.... live and learn. Last two grows they all were ready within a few days of each other.

JIMKSI64 said:
Great spot to be in and will watch to see how you handle that smokin grow.

Thanks, I will keep you updated. The punch pie and fat banana from royal queen seeds are incredible. They are the two on the left. Pie is in front. I like to take a bud of each and grind them together, I call it banana pie LOL, the high from those two combined is really nice. That is how I create a new strain

JIMKSI64 · Apr 22, 2025

WickedMichelle said:
I worry about stressing them and having them seed. My 1st grow seeded. Could have been a misuse of additive lights or plant stress. I do need to take out a few more leaves, I may try to take out some of the thin branches that are not reaching the top.

There is a net in there and I have the mains spread out to allow for more light into the center. The last trim was 4 weeks ago in veg week 3. They had week 4 to recover before flipping to flower.

They are looking about the same as the last grow, I do not think they will be getting much taller. 2 of these plants are re-grows. They turned out really good last grow so I grew more LOL. My goal is for bigger top colas than last grow. I had a ton of tiny popcorn buds my last 2 grows. I think that kept the top buds from reaching their full potential.

Maybe I will do some trimming when lights come on tonight or sometime early in the morning. I will try not to go too crazy, maybe a few of the thin branches and some inner leaves to open more light through the center.

I did notice that I am almost out of room for the lights to be raised. I think I can go up another inch, not more. They are only at 65% power on a 300w light. No light stress, at least not at the moment. One plant is much shorter and not showing much for flower yet. I am not sure what to do with that as I need to dry in this tent. I really should have checked their grow schedule.... live and learn. Last two grows they all were ready within a few days of each other.

Thanks, I will keep you updated. The punch pie and fat banana from royal queen seeds are incredible. They are the two on the left. Pie is in front. I like to take a bud of each and grind them together, I call it banana pie LOL, the high from those two combined is really nice. That is how I create a new strain

At about week 7 flower with everything chugging my back was bugging me so much I could no longer get to those little bud nodes in the back of the grow. Within a week vertical cola development stopped but the mini buds towards the bottom got bigger and the node growth was nuts even 3 inches up from dirt with like 1500 lux lighting. I bet that 2 weeks cost me 2 ounces

WickedMichelle · Apr 22, 2025

JIMKSI64 said:
At about week 7 flower with everything chugging my back was bugging me so much I could no longer get to those little bud nodes in the back of the grow. Within a week vertical cola development stopped but the mini buds towards the bottom got bigger and the node growth was nuts even 3 inches up from dirt with like 1500 lux lighting. I bet that 2 weeks cost me 2 ounces

I have one mason jar of banana and one mason jar of pie, full of popcorn. They get you high but do not taste as good. I will use them for butter or use in a vape. I bought a dry vape and everything tastes the same so good place to smoke popcorn LOL. I had some popcorn left over from my 1st grow, sherbet queen was the strain. The butter I made from it came out really potent. More-so than the smoke. Different high if nothing else. They are good for sleep. Little tranquilizers LOL.

I am a smoker though so my aim is for more smoke-able buds than cooking buds.

WickedMichelle · Apr 23, 2025

Update: Ok, lets hope I did not mess things up.

I noticed that there was a bit of standing water in a couple of drain trays. Also noticed roots growing down into the water. I drained excess water, trimmed a few leaves and branches. Again, I hope not too much. Time will tell.

Another modification I made was to take the net off. I really do not have room to spread them out so I hope they do not "over grow" the tent height. I think max is 5' on one or two of the plants. Special queen really lagging behind. UG!!!

If nothing else, I have good air flow.

Bobcat.Branch · Apr 23, 2025

WickedMichelle said:
Update: Ok, lets hope I did not mess things up.

I noticed that there was a bit of standing water in a couple of drain trays. Also noticed roots growing down into the water. I drained excess water, trimmed a few leaves and branches. Again, I hope not too much. Time will tell.

Another modification I made was to take the net off. I really do not have room to spread them out so I hope they do not "over grow" the tent height. I think max is 5' on one or two of the plants. Special queen really lagging behind. UG!!!

View attachment 2420178

View attachment 2420179

View attachment 2420180

If nothing else, I have good air flow.

Celebrate every win!

Glomus · Apr 24, 2025

WickedMichelle said:
I am trying to get my trimming techniques down. I wanted more lollipop on these however I seem to still have too much growth.

I started week 3 of veg. I took the bottom 1/3 of the plant as recommended by a few videos I have watched. I have seen drastic trimming in veg week 3 but my plant did not look anywhere near the size of the ones that were being lollipop'd.

Where these look much better on the underside compared to my last two grows.... however I still see too many suckers that will not amount to anything.

I have seen that taking these after flower can inhibit the flowering process.

Here is where I am.View attachment 2419545

View attachment 2419546

View attachment 2419547

I know it is hard to really tell what needs to be trimmed by these photos. But to me they look like there is still a lot that can be trimmed off.

I need to trim some down, that is a given. How much can be trimmed without causing shock or seeding? Will it hurt if I took off some of the smaller/thinner branches with tiny tops that are hidden below the canopy? Open the canopy so the lowers get light and just take some leaves?

Maybe I need to use a lesser aggressive chart for the nutrients. I am using a chart from General Hydroponics, their aggressive grow. This formula seems to make the plants really take off. Maybe I need to drop to moderate. Or lower.

I mean they look great, I wouldn't do anything, week 3-6 is where they really need to build so I say the less stress the better, You could trim a few tiny branches thinner then a pencil but I say its not worth messing with the plants metabolism. Like anything you're losing from the suckers is negligible compared to stressing the plant from over pruning. just let grow. defoliate week 6ish.
They look like they got a little too much N imo too. but they looking sexy. Honestly they look too good. I perfer to try and starve the plant towards the end of flower and stress them a bit for more resin

WickedMichelle · Apr 24, 2025

Glomus said:
They look like they got a little too much N imo too. but they looking sexy. Honestly they look too good. I perfer to try and starve the plant towards the end of flower and stress them a bit for more resin

I am using the chart from general hydroponics, aggressive grow formula. The roots are growing through the bottom of the bags and getting into the drainage water. They were constantly being fed and I didn't know it. I drained the trays so hope that will help them. I was almost hydro

Aside from taking some shade leaves as they finish, I am done trimming. If nothing else, they are MUCH thinner than my last grow so less suckers will help the tops, at least that is the hope. One is wilting a little after feeding today. She was dry so a little confused on that. Nothing to worry about but still curious why it happened.

They are much taller than last grow. Hmmmmmm, I am starting to get white tips. I cannot raise the light any higher so I am going to have to lower the power a little until it stops. I may have to put the net back in :( Bend them a little to get them further from the light without blocking other stalks. This will be challenging LMAO.

Glomus · Apr 24, 2025

WickedMichelle said:
I am using the chart from general hydroponics, aggressive grow formula. The roots are growing through the bottom of the bags and getting into the drainage water. They were constantly being fed and I didn't know it. I drained the trays so hope that will help them. I was almost hydro

Aside from taking some shade leaves as they finish, I am done trimming. If nothing else, they are MUCH thinner than my last grow so less suckers will help the tops, at least that is the hope. One is wilting a little after feeding today. She was dry so a little confused on that. Nothing to worry about but still curious why it happened.

They are much taller than last grow. Hmmmmmm, I am starting to get white tips. I cannot raise the light any higher so I am going to have to lower the power a little until it stops. I may have to put the net back in :( Bend them a little to get them further from the light without blocking other stalks. This will be challenging LMAO.

yeah height restrictions can be a real issue. I definitely am a heavy pruner but it just sucks when you over do it. Im usually pruning out bigger plants outdoor so I don't have to worry about taking too much too early. Once the plant has a strong root system you could brake 60% of the branches off that thing and will still finish strong lol

WickedMichelle · Apr 24, 2025

Glomus said:
Once the plant has a strong root system you could brake 60% of the branches off that thing and will still finish strong lol

I watched them do that in a video. I forget the term they used. Too paranoid to do that. I worry about trimming, that would stress me more than the plant

Newty · Apr 24, 2025

The hardest thing for me to overcome was letting my plants veg to long.
They double or triple in size after you flip them so they go through a ton of vegetative growth which means the tent gets filled more and more.
Some strains after you defoliate will grow leaves back 2-3 thicker then before, even after week 3 flower.

I now veg shorter intervals because of the foliage and air flow issues, even with defoliation.

I lollipop 1-2 weeks before flip, depending on training method.
My next and last defoliation will be week 3 flower. Anything major after week 3 is to stressful IMO.

Even though I don't veg as long, I'm actually yielding more because I don't have as much foliage in the way of bud sites.
I also don't have to defoliate as much because I'm not vegging as long.

Most people fill the SCROG then flip.

If I use a SCROG, I will flip my plants before the scrog is filled because I train the last of the tops while they stretch, allowing me to fill the SCROG without being over crowded after the stretch.

defective · Apr 24, 2025

Bobcat.Branch said:
My basic rule is, when first starting out with something new... Less is more. You can always add more salt, but you can't take it out.

You can always trim more leaves, but you can't glue them back on.

Can you explain the salt thing to my wife please?

ScroggerDave · Apr 24, 2025

Newty said:
The hardest thing for me to overcome was letting my plants veg to long.
They double or triple in size after you flip them so they go through a ton of vegetative growth which means the tent gets filled more and more.
Some strains after you defoliate will grow leaves back 2-3 thicker then before, even after week 3 flower.

I now veg shorter intervals because of the foliage and air flow issues, even with defoliation.

I lollipop 1-2 weeks before flip, depending on training method.
My next and last defoliation will be week 3 flower. Anything major after week 3 is to stressful IMO.

Even though I don't veg as long, I'm actually yielding more because I don't have as much foliage in the way of bud sites.
I also don't have to defoliate as much because I'm not vegging as long.

Most people fill the SCROG then flip.

If I use a SCROG, I will flip my plants before the scrog is filled because I train the last of the tops while they stretch, allowing me to fill the SCROG without being over crowded after the stretch.

Tucking through the stretch is essential. For the OP, the net was creating airflow by spreading out the plant. The plants bunch up when removing the net, and more trimming is then needed causing more stress. This may be anecdotal, but I think its less stressful to leave the net on once it’s there.

NairnM16 · Apr 24, 2025

defective said:
Can you explain the salt thing to my wife please?

Did you ever boil salt water in chemistry?

After the water evaporates your left with the salt build up in the bottom,

The same happens with your plants,
Picture the salt as your fertiliser and your water is just water,

If your plants drink all the water or it all evaporates from your medium,
You’re left with a salt build up of fertiliser in your soil,

Recommend a plain water ph adjusted every other day after feed to just rinse the salts or make them avalibke for uptake again,

If I feed a full strength and my roots aren’t established I’ll end up with a heavy salt build up at the bottom of my pots,
Once my roots grow into this zone they’ll be far to hot in food if this makes sence

Less is more in tht sense ^

How much can I safely trim in week 3 flower?

How much can I safely trim in week 3 flower?

WickedMichelle

Bobcat.Branch

Ultimate Guide to Schwazzing

Schwazzing, a pruning technique for cannabis plants

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Galgrows

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JIMKSI64

WickedMichelle

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WickedMichelle

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Bobcat.Branch

Glomus

WickedMichelle

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Newty

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