Is it too late to defoliate?

[Weedly]

I read in multiple places that for the first grow to keep defoliation to a minimum, which I agreed with since I wasn’t really sure how the plants would end up growing. Also, the site said that having extra leaves on the plant would safeguard against rapid deterioration in the event of an issue. I followed this advice and really only defoliated enough around the bases to allow a good amount of airflow. In week three after flip I did go through and clip a few big leaves that were overlapping and seriously blocking light to the middle of the plant, but I kept it to a minimum.
Now I’m midway through week five after flip and I’m thinking it’s just gotten too bushy and I’m worried about mildew or other problems. So far I don’t see any moisture building up on the leaves, but light is barely making it to the floor of the tent. So my question is, should I do some defoliating to prevent a future issue, or would any leaf removal now stress the plants out too much?
Tent: 4.6’ x 2.3’
Lights: 2 Spider Farmer SF1000
Temp: 65-75
RH: 45-50%
Coco coir with FloraTrio nutes.

 

[OldOneEye]

I wouldn't defoliate very much until around 2 weeks before harvest.
If you keep good airflow under and through the canopy and keep your humidity below 45 percent you should be okay.
About 2 weeks before harvest you can prune much of the fan leaves away providing extra light underneath to help ripen the lower buds.

 

[Weedly]

Okay, thanks a ton. I’ll definitely do that in a few weeks, but now another quick question: I just noticed in some photos I took that the tips of some sugar? leaves are turning bright yellow on one plant—5 1/2 weeks after flip. Is this normal? Nute burn? Light burn? FloraTrio half strength. 100 watt lights about 15” away on 100%.
The yellow tips are hard to see with the naked eye. I just noticed them because I was thrilled to see trichs forming and had to get a photo.

 

[OldOneEye]

Okay, thanks a ton. I’ll definitely do that in a few weeks, but now another quick question: I just noticed in some photos I took that the tips of some sugar? leaves are turning bright yellow on one plant—5 1/2 weeks after flip. Is this normal? Nute burn? Light burn? FloraTrio half strength. 100 watt lights about 15” away on 100%.
The yellow tips are hard to see with the naked eye. I just noticed them because I was thrilled to see trichs forming and had to get a photo. View attachment 2363943

Riding the edges of nutrients burn. You see them all the time in growers that push heavy nutrients. It is not a problem.

 

[Weedly]

Thanks. Would it be a certain nutrient, or should I just scale back everything a little bit?

 

[OldOneEye]

Thanks. Would it be a certain nutrient, or should I just scale back everything a little bit?

No, that is old damage. You are looking fine.

 

[sickseeds]

Riding the edges of nutrients burn. You see them all the time in growers that push heavy nutrients. It is not a problem.

I totally agree with this

 

[Weedly]

Okay, thanks guys. I’ll keep going at half strength.