Extreme defoliating and lollipoping

Valentino92zg

Valentino92zg

Well-Known Member
Hello again to all, Im thinking of trying "extreme" lollipoing and defoliating of autos that are 2 and 3 weeks into flower,early flpwer sort to say. I am shocked when I see those plant with only big collas with just those set leaves, without any fan leaves. Not really sure if its a good Idea and the benefits or drawbacks to it. I believe you need really great enviorement and all dial in to make it work. If nothing I would like to remove all small bud sites (small branches that I know want make somw nice buds) but little afraid of side affects. Its an auto maybe that plays a part. And dont want to loose to much on yeald too.
Any suggestions will be appreciated 😃
 
Valentino92zg said:
Hello again to all, Im thinking of trying "extreme" lollipoing and defoliating of autos that are 2 and 3 weeks into flower,early flpwer sort to say. I am shocked when I see those plant with only big collas with just those set leaves, without any fan leaves. Not really sure if its a good Idea and the benefits or drawbacks to it. I believe you need really great enviorement and all dial in to make it work. If nothing I would like to remove all small bud sites (small branches that I know want make somw nice buds) but little afraid of side affects. Its an auto maybe that plays a part. And dont want to loose to much on yeald too.
Any suggestions will be appreciated 😃
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Some more info, both plant are in 2x2 under 100w full spec Led. So penetration thru canopy isnt great I think.
I Did removed small bud sites in past. But nut that much that I want now,cause this plant are really big for my picture. That auto gorilla cookies from fast buds is about 3 ft tall with many bud sites. And autp blue dream from 00seeds is a bit shorter but still tall for 100w led to penetrate thru I think.
 
Valentino92zg said:
Some more info, both plant are in 2x2 under 100w full spec Led. So penetration thru canopy isnt great I think.
I Did removed small bud sites in past. But nut that much that I want now,cause this plant are really big for my picture. That auto gorilla cookies from fast buds is about 3 ft tall with many bud sites. And autp blue dream from 00seeds is a bit shorter but still tall for 100w led to penetrate thru I think.
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I don't like to take off too much, maybe 25-30% since the plant has already converted nutrients into those leaves
So just the lower popcorn and any major fans I can't tuck in in the top half
 
I get it, what I dont understand when I see on the net those pics of plant without any leaves on it aside those coming from buds. And buds are huge. Im thinking its misconception or? Its a finished plant with all leaves removed to take pics and then a newbie like me thinks its a growing plant.
 
Valentino92zg said:
I get it, what I dont understand when I see on the net those pics of plant without any leaves on it aside those coming from buds. And buds are huge. Im thinking its misconception or? Its a finished plant with all leaves removed to take pics and then a newbie like me thinks its a growing plant.
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Yep - you can't grow big buds without leaves, it's just not possible
 
Heyup!
Gunna chuck my 2 pence in, although everyone has a different way of growing and no 2 plants are the same. I think it depends on how you grow, I use trellis nets so have ALOT of tops ik a small space so I'm forced to do a good strip to get light penetration, air movement through the canopy at later stages of flower.
What I have learnt especially when growing from seed is I go really harsh on removing lowers and defoliate before I flip.
Once I flip I take NOTHING off until after stretch is definitely done. I hate the 21 day rule cos all plants are different. Let them tell you when it's safe. I've done some heavy work with plants at the 21 or earlier and just end up with stress and hermies. As for clones when you know what your dealing with you can judge weather they would be ok with it.
But yh once stretch is done I'll defoliate if needed about 20% ish other than that I leave them be until week 5 ish and that's when I do my heavy strip, all fan leaves off. This allows me to get into the 50-60% RH light pen and that air properly moving around my buds.
I've just completed a strip this week middle of wk5 12/12 ... here's a pic.

20250103_235423.jpg


20250103_235500.jpg


20250103_235511.jpg
 
DISCLAIMER...
All plants are different, these are all clones and I know the parent and how it behaves. I know its safe to strip that heavy and I won't get any problems. Seeds you don't know what your dealing with most the time these days... just go easy my plants are photos not autos as well you just don't want to stunt them.
 
TechnicalTerps said:
Heyup!
Gunna chuck my 2 pence in, although everyone has a different way of growing and no 2 plants are the same. I think it depends on how you grow, I use trellis nets so have ALOT of tops ik a small space so I'm forced to do a good strip to get light penetration, air movement through the canopy at later stages of flower.
What I have learnt especially when growing from seed is I go really harsh on removing lowers and defoliate before I flip.
Once I flip I take NOTHING off until after stretch is definitely done. I hate the 21 day rule cos all plants are different. Let them tell you when it's safe. I've done some heavy work with plants at the 21 or earlier and just end up with stress and hermies. As for clones when you know what your dealing with you can judge weather they would be ok with it.
But yh once stretch is done I'll defoliate if needed about 20% ish other than that I leave them be until week 5 ish and that's when I do my heavy strip, all fan leaves off. This allows me to get into the 50-60% RH light pen and that air properly moving around my buds.
I've just completed a strip this week middle of wk5 12/12 ... here's a pic.

20250103_235423.jpg


20250103_235500.jpg


20250103_235511.jpg
Click to expand...
Thank you for comprehensive explanation it helps very much and prety much puts me on point with my final thoughts.. I did some defoliation and light lollipoing, and I can say gorilla cookies loves it cause it bushes out fast, I cant say the same for blue dream from 00seeds. Its a learning curve constantly,, with every new strain its a new learning curve again..
 
It's a tough one. The last run I did I tried no defoliation and it was a sh*t. I had over 50% fluff and crucified my yeild. I don't like autos if I'm honest I always feel like I'm on a timer and if I fart in the wrong direction it stunts an auto. 00seeds I've only ever had as freebies from a purchase.
Genetics us soooo important that's something I have learnt in my time. I've completely stop on seeds but that's just a personal opinion. I've also had once when I defoliated too heavy in the stretch period and the plants almost stopped re bushed out and then carried on, my flower was delayed by a week that was a weird one.
 
TechnicalTerps said:
It's a tough one. The last run I did I tried no defoliation and it was a sh*t. I had over 50% fluff and crucified my yeild. I don't like autos if I'm honest I always feel like I'm on a timer and if I fart in the wrong direction it stunts an auto. 00seeds I've only ever had as freebies from a purchase.
Genetics us soooo important that's something I have learnt in my time. I've completely stop on seeds but that's just a personal opinion. I've also had once when I defoliated too heavy in the stretch period and the plants almost stopped re bushed out and then carried on, my flower was delayed by a week that was a weird one.
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Seems really hard to be sure what to do,I came to conclusion its best to go by feeling,and try to poke your plant,like you know do a little of that and wait to see what happens and then continue or not,, depends on what happens.. as for 00seeds they where good in my experience so far. But we will see,its my next grow,and sure will do a journal for them 😃
 
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