Well larf is light leakage during flower, lollipop will not cause that.
As far as defoliation is concerned, enough to allow light penetration and good air flow.
I don’t defol tips until about 3 week into flower, this gives the plants time to gain from having extra leaves.
Bottom scrogged, tips I didn’t do I may need to support it via tying off.
This is 1.5week into flower, I’ll defoliate in 1.5weeks to thin out the heavy foliage and ensure good air flow and light penetration, outdoor greenhouse so not supplementing light until winter grow when I use led lights to supplement

Waiting on the stretch to end before I do anything drastic

I'm in the same boat waiting on my stretch to finish before i do anything