Interesting. That data is 10 years old but still relevant. I'm not sure that I agree with all of it but there is a case for some leaf trimming at different stages. My comment was referring solely to post veg stage and diseased parts. Dead rotten leaves would apply. I've never seen evidence that trimming leaves reduces stretch but I'd have to do some experimentation to verify that. As they point out, leaves are the engines of photosynthesis so I just use the tuck method that they mention last.

Now, as to your exact situation, I don't know how yellow, how big, nor how many leaves were trimmed so my advice was more generic. That said, it's your grow, of course, and you can use any methodology you prefer. Leaves usually don't yellow and die, naturally until the last 2-3 weeks of life, so you're a bit early for that. Other than that, growing is part science and part art and the "art part" leaves for a LOT of flexibility.

Hope that helps...


EDIT: on a side note, I knew some of the people Ed quotes in that article from the old OverGrow forums over a decade ago and the people I knew were very knowledgeable. They certainly make good arguments but I'm still not convinced that every instance Ed talks about is appropriate for trimming leaves. In some cases, yes, they're right. In others, I'm not so sure and I'm not sure that your journal is the right place to debate the subject so if you'd like to continue discussing when and where leaf trimming is right, we should start a new thread in the MJ growers section.

Thanks for the follow up SME... the total amount of fan leaves I trimmed off was 4.... not too many.... while on the subject of trimming , more specific topping, is it better to not top to get the largest, most potent cola? That has been my thought... thanks

Yeah, 4 leaves is no big deal unless the plant is tiny.

Topping/fimming and other "cutting" type manipulation should be done while in veg to allow time to heal and start new growth before going to flower. I prefer to do it when they are very small and I, personally, won't cut them 1-2 weeks before flowering. If you top or fimm you trade one large cola for 2 or more smaller ones so it really depends on your grow area and style. If you're growing many small plants, like a SOG, then you probably do not want to to cut. If you're growing 1 or two large plants under a 1000w HPS (like I used to) then topping and fimming will allow the plant to get more bushy with many flowers but they're smaller, especially if head room is an issue. Then there is something in between. If you want bushier plants, yes. If you want thinner/taller plants, no. Overcrowding can cause light problems no matter how much light you have. Typically, 1 large cola will be bigger than two or more smaller ones but they might end up with the same overall weight by time you're finished if the other environmental factors are good. If your goal is the single biggest cola you probably don't want to cut them.

TXStorm wrote:thanks for the input....this appears to me to be a genetics thing with the stretching....the light has been ~14-16" from the plants.... and in a 32" x 32" area the SolarStorm is over rated for that coverage...

Meaning that there is more light than is needed?

Awesome thread by the way, and nice looking ladies.

Yes, the SolarStorm-800 is rated (by the manufacturer) for a 4x4 area but I prefer more than 38.75w/sqf for our crop.

FireBrand wrote:

TXStorm wrote:thanks for the input....this appears to me to be a genetics thing with the stretching....the light has been ~14-16" from the plants.... and in a 32" x 32" area the SolarStorm is over rated for that coverage...

Meaning that there is more light than is needed?

Awesome thread by the way, and nice looking ladies.

thanks Firebrand- yes indeed, I think the SolarStorm 800w is plenty for my tent size (GrowLab 80)....

week 11 and day 21 of bloom of my SolarStorm trial.... a few days late with my update but not much to add.... a brief summary is (3) of (3) of the "old" bag seeds I started back in May ended up to males.... I had one outside and two in the tent when I began the bloom cycle.... so out they went as soon as they started to show the sacks.... there was a "free" seed from an order and that went outside at the beginning of the bloom as it was really too tall and with the days getting shorter now it showed itself to be male also.... so (4) out of (6) plant were male.... the "nepalese" is now 37" (from 12" at the start of bloom) and flowers are coming but at a slow rate.... it really doesn't look too good and next time around I hope for a better result with this strain.... the "white queen", while a small plant (14"), is developing thick fat buds.... sorry for the pictures under the light, I didn't catch it as the lights went out for some shots....

That white queen looks like it would make a good SOG plant...

Hi SME.... I agree..... even though I didn't have a veg cycle as long as I would have preferred, which may have allowed for a fuller bushy plant, it has grown really well.... specs say 40 - 60cm tall and I and at the low end of that.... I hope to get some good pictures this weekend of the buds to show....

SolarStorm trial week 12 and day 35 of bloom.... the "Nepalese" is just about another inch taller, almost 38" tall.... 26" in 28 days.... has anyone had another strain do this ?.... the nodes at the top are close together and flowers are forming but if it's going to thicken up I can't be sure.... the "Queen" is looking frosty and getting fatter.... it specs to a 8-9 week flower cycle so it's over half way.... the light is as high as it can be in my tent and 13" from the top of the "Nepalese" and 15" from the "Queen" with no issues....UVB have been on for 2 weeks.... feeding with Earth Juice and GO products every other feed (1/2 to 3/4 strength) at ~3-4 day intervals.... it seems to me the plants respond better to the EJ.... my close up pictures were too blurry so I need a photography lesson.... here's two of the "Queen" though.... also my trial for the SolarStorm has ended but plan to keep the light and will finish out the grow blog....