I do it 3 time during flower and every time I hack off so much at once you would think it would shock them but it doesnt as long as there healthy. My last trim is right around week 3 so go to town on them suckers now and take of all the suckers and popcorn potential buds
PS I fill big garbage bags full every time I trim them and they never skip a beat
thats me.
I cant seem to shock mine deleafing. And I have scalped those bitches before.
I can see it being strain dependent, though.
That being said...I try to have all the branches off by the end of week 2 on a 8 weeker...then just pull shitloads of fans to allow light penetration.
I get on a step ladder and look down at the plant from the angle the light is shining and make what I call "light tunnels'.down thru the foilage. Works nicely for me. I have an indica dom hybrid that LOVES deleafing.
I have also found that canopy depth is truly determined (within reason) by genetics. I have a strain that larfs out if my canopy is more than 12-14"s thick. I also have a Blue Sat2.2 that makes rock hard nugs all the way down to the bottom ....almost regardless of light penetration. I only deleaf her and remove the very most inside/low budsites.
Try pruning them with small differences from plant to plant and it may give you some clues on how to best manipulate your strain...thats what I did...just played until I found their sweet spot.