The vocal ones are usually those who boast the most about their growing experience and insist they've done comparisons and get more yield out of defoliation. I remain unconvinced because I've been unimpressed by the standards to which growers adhere to when making claims. Seeing as how even scientists disagree or contradict each other, I'd say there is a LOT of room for further experimentation and testing under more rigorous protocols so that aspect may be studied.

If you look at it from a different angle, fan leaves are covered with few trichomes compared to sugar leaves, which means the trich on the sugar leaves must serve an evolutionary function. If trichs serve as defense mechanisms against predators, if the buds required fan leaves for maturity, it's unlikely those cannabis species would have survived to this day. At least that's what botanists like Michael Pollan are saying. And if you think about it, it's extremely logical.

Since nobody has bothered to publish experimental results that could shed more light on this, I'll default to my "I'll believe it when I see it" position and test it myself further down the line.

Day 108-56

Two weeks to the day to go before I hit 70 days of flowering. I'm pretty sure this bud will be ready in two weeks.

Looking good!
Nice clear shots, lots of terpen heads...
Lets see some bud porn:p

Awesome grow journal by the way keep it up.

Day 109-57

The tall branches have finally started to fill out a week or so ago.



These two measure 17 inches from the scrog to their tip. There are about half a dozen more like it on the periphery of the scrog.

I imagine the the lack of direct light is responsible for the stretching of the branches around the screen?

How far was your light from canopy?

Jtpurplekush wrote:How far was your light from canopy?

12-14 inch

One more question: days are getting pretty hot now and I'll be running AC in the house so I'd rather run my day cycle during nighttime now.

Will more than 12 hours of dark interrupt something?

I would keep it the same you got it right now any disruption might cause to much stress...
Besides you got 2 weeks left. Better off fixing your hours of light on your next go,I think you will do much better on your second and third go around.great grow though.

P.s a lot of strains only fill in the last 2 weeks.

Hey Frank,

I would not change the light cycle now.
It is too late and you may run the risk of a bunch of hermied plants...
Not what you want after everything you have put into them.

Looking great by the way!!!

Yeah, I wouldn't switch it now. I know people that have done it but it is a risk.

Ok thanks guys.

By the way I'm now running 35-45% rH.