Should I hold off defoliating until week 3 after flipping?

[Brother_Antioch]

Hi, folks. So I flipped my plant 4 days ago to 12/12. It's a Godfather OG photo, topped once and scrogged, and 6 weeks of vegging when I flipped it. Currently I'm avoiding doing any defoliation as I've read it's best to wait until 3 weeks. In the meantime, I'm trying to just tuck any fan leaves out of the way from blocking lower bud sites. As you can see from the pics, it's a very dense canopy, but lots of visible nodes. I've had no issues with moisture or mold, so I'm not too worried about that factor. But this is my first indoor grow, after all, so thought I'd seek out your much more experienced eye.

Oh, and yes, there is a hint of burning on the tips. I've raised the light and it seems to have taken care of that, and I'm sticking to the GH Flora series schedule at 1/2 the recommended dosages, as per GrowWeedEasy's schedule I found here. Getting about 2L every day and a half (when the top inch feels dry) of nutrient treated water at 6.2pH in Promix HP soil in a 5 gal. bucket. So, any opinions one way or another are truly appreciated!

Cheers,

BA.

The two closeups were done using the flash on my camera (the one with a built in phone!)

 

[Bobcat.Branch]

Check this out... It may lend some insight:

Ultimate Guide to Schwazzing

Using the schwazzing method you can dramatically increase your yield! It takes time to master but we've generated cannabis yields north of 4 pounds per light. Here's our in-depth guide to get your schwazze process dialed.

threealight.com

Cannabis Cultivation: What Is Schwazzing? - Omega Equipment & Supply Blog

In this article, learn about the cannabis trimming technique known as schwazzing. We discuss the benefits & challenges of trimming fan leaves.

blog.omegastore.com

 

[Brother_Antioch]

Check this out... It may lend some insight:

Ultimate Guide to Schwazzing

Using the schwazzing method you can dramatically increase your yield! It takes time to master but we've generated cannabis yields north of 4 pounds per light. Here's our in-depth guide to get your schwazze process dialed.

threealight.com

Cannabis Cultivation: What Is Schwazzing? - Omega Equipment & Supply Blog

In this article, learn about the cannabis trimming technique known as schwazzing. We discuss the benefits & challenges of trimming fan leaves.

blog.omegastore.com

Thanks, Bobcat. Going to check them out right now.

Cheers,

BA.

 

[Bobcat.Branch]

You're quite welcome!

For me it always came down to personal preference and necessity. Schwazzing is an actual practice, one I just recently learned about. Go slow and be methodical. You can always trim more, but can't add back.

 

[Brother_Antioch]

You're quite welcome!

For me it always came down to personal preference and necessity. Schwazzing is an actual practice, one I just recently learned about. Go slow and be methodical. You can always trim more, but can't add back.

Thanks. I just finished both those articles on schwazzing. I suppose I've missed my window of opportunity for Day 1 by a few days now. Is it better to leave it now until day 20 or is it still early enough to do so now on day 4? I don't want to stress the plant out too much and have it go hermaphroditic on me. If it's best to wait, do you think it's still okay to snip the odd fan leaf here and there that are shading over bud sites?

Appreciate all your input. It's a learning process for me, and while I'm reading as much as I can, sometimes asking a direct question gives me more specific information.

Cheers,

BA.

 

[Bobcat.Branch]

Thanks. I just finished both those articles on schwazzing. I suppose I've missed my window of opportunity for Day 1 by a few days now. Is it better to leave it now until day 20 or is it still early enough to do so now on day 4? I don't want to stress the plant out too much and have it go hermaphroditic on me. If it's best to wait, do you think it's still okay to snip the odd fan leaf here and there that are shading over bud sites?

Appreciate all your input. It's a learning process for me, and while I'm reading as much as I can, sometimes asking a direct question gives me more specific information.

Cheers,

BA.

I think you'll be fine giving it a go now. Prioritize removing whatever is blocking key areas below. Tuck out of the way what you can to avoid chopping too much, or to minimize stress.

 

[Brother_Antioch]

I think you'll be fine giving it a go now. Prioritize removing whatever is blocking key areas below. Tuck out of the way what you can to avoid chopping too much, or to minimize stress.

Thanks tons for the help, Bobcat. I'll tackle the underside, removing all the fan leaves and stick to tucking on the upper canopy then. Key points I took away from those articles you recommended was allowing airflow under and through the canopy, and allowing light to reach all tops, so I'll keep that front and centre in mind. If this goes well, I'll name my first clone after you!

Cheers,

BA.

 

[Bobcat.Branch]

Thanks tons for the help, Bobcat. I'll tackle the underside, removing all the fan leaves and stick to tucking on the upper canopy then. Key points I took away from those articles you recommended was allowing airflow under and through the canopy, and allowing light to reach all tops, so I'll keep that front and centre in mind. If this goes well, I'll name my first clone after you!

Cheers,

BA.

Love it!

 

[OldOneEye]

I wait until after the stretch ends, usually around days 21 of flower. I also do a pretty heavy pruning if it's a real leggy plant.

 

[Brother_Antioch]

I wait until after the stretch ends, usually around days 21 of flower. I also do a pretty heavy pruning if it's a real leggy plant.

Well, I just took my scissors and gave her a slight trim but only on the bottom of the plant. Very small shoots (about 5) and maybe a dozen fan leaves that were entirely under the whole canopy and were wilting anyway. I don't think this girl will get too leggy, as it's a short indica mix from what I've read. One of the reasons I grew that strain was the constraint of having a 2x4x4' tent. Next year, I'll upgrade and keep this one for vegging and clones/mother. I'll give it 17 more days before doing that major defoliation, or schwazzing, and in the meantime, I'll stick to just bending/tucking any leaves in the way.

From the pics, does it seem on point to you for 4 days after flipping at the end of week 6? First indoor grow, so I'm always double guessing myself, especially with it being such a short plant. Never topped and scrogged before.

Thanks tons for your advice, OOE, and any further advice or suggestions are always welcome!

Cheers,

BA.

 

[Gmix]

The look good & yes it looks on point

 

[Brother_Antioch]

The look good & yes it looks on point

Thanks, Gmix. That's always reassuring to hear. I was a little concerned due to the height (or lack of) of her. You can't tell from the pictures, but from soil to the top of the canopy is only 14" so it's quite short and bushy as compared to what I get outdoors leaving it alone. Again, I've never tried topping and scrogging, so for all I know, it's "textbook" right now... For a single plant, it sure seems like a lot of bud sites!

Cheers,

BA.