Is bigger better

Of course good buds can be grown on 12 ft plants but the whole point of growing a big plant is to have it full of buds. It would be inefficient for the plant to have to carry nutes and water up several ft of stem to get to the buds. If your plants get 12 ft naturally then great, but I would rather have them bushy and well trained than skinny and tall. Super tall plants are much more likely to break or blow over in the wind.

 

I'm not sure what your question is, exactly... But the larger you grow your plant in veg, it has the potential to grow more buds, than a small plant.

Trimming your plants is a point of controversy. Personally, I defoliate, as much as possible. (remove all fan leaves that are blocking bud sites) My general rule of thumb is to remove all fan leaves (once flowering stage begins). I've had subjectively better results. More importan, I've had consistent results this way. Thinning the fan leaves (or removing them all together) not only allows more light to penetrate the plant, but allows more air to flow around it. This helps increase co2 distribution, and helps prevent excess moisture build up, and the mold/rot which thrives in that condition.

People will argue against trimming the fan leaves in the flowering stage. It's my opinion that anyone who does argue against it hasn't tried it. I say try it both ways, and see what works best for you.

If you're new, I also suggest researching the Lucas Method, using FloraNova Bloom nutrients for the entire grow. There's a single formula, with two different doses. A dose for high intensity lights, and a dose for flourescent lighting. One product, the same dose from start to finish. This provides ALL the nutrition that your plant will ever need. This leaves environmental variables for you to control (light, temp, humidity, and co2) You can rest assured that your plants are getting proper nutrition, and you'll reduce the risk of effing something up but overdosing, underdosing, or wasting a bunch of money on a ton of different products.

Best of luck to you.

Cheers,
Past

 

I never trim fan leafs unless they touch the ground. The fan leafs are your plants food.

Also most folks do not know this. But sun light travels right thru a pot leafs. Cannot remember the % but it is pretty high considering. So my thinking is why trim the plants main energy food source to get more sunlight into the plant when in fact sun light will travel thru the leaf with ease?

Go out at night and shine a brite light up up under your plant. every leaf on the plant will light up like a light bulb. Proving that light travel right thru pot leafs. even a simple flash light will light up a hole 4 foot plant.

Also when your plant start to bud. It pulls nutes from the leafs. This is why they turn yellow during flower. But wait. You picked all the leafs off. In turn taking food from the plant.

Do what you want. But I say never trim any leafs. I considered both points of view. I go with leaving the plant as it grows.

Also I notice a lot of the people that trim fan leafs have other problems making the leafs droop slightly. A heathly plant will be sticking it fans leafs straight up in the air. If this is the case then no need to remove them. For thousands of years has taken care of this problem.

These shots were right before morning sun. A few hours later and every leaf will be sticking almost straight up. If my plants had any health problems or over watering problems. The leafs would not be straight up. And the plant would look like it is to full. Making some people start picking leafs.

This is just my thinking on the matter. Not trying to agrue with anyone. were all friends here. I just like to think out loud.