misinformation

[bluehue]

I'm surprised this technique is recommended. Cutting fan leaves? I can't believe this is actually on your growing link. There is actually no evidence to support cutting healthy fan leaves and no evidence to support the need for direct light on buds (yes on the plants but not necessarily the buds themselves)for bud development. Cut the food providers from the plant and kiss goodbye to yield and bud size...there are of course many ways to skin a cat, and many methods that can work equally well when growing this great plant, but the following quote is just plain false.

gl and happy smoking
From your growing link:
"If you've stuck with me this far, you are wondering what a "fan" leaf is. They are the wonderful, fat, shade leaves that are going to cut the light to all of the bud sites developing down thru the plant and must be removed.
"Snip the fan leaf stem close to but not touching the node. Remove the upper fan or shade leaves to expose the floral clusters. Do not trim all the leaves away for the upper portions of the plant as they are still necessary for food production."

[lemonboy]

"Do not trim all the leaves away"Looks like that information is already there.

common sense => faqs => questions

[bluehue]

sort of...I included the two quotes, the first is false the second is true(er) and together they are contradictory

[Herbus]

The theory is that fan leaves are only for shading and keeping the plants cool under hot natural sunlight. Since the majority of folks out here are growing indoors these shading fan leaves are not needed. That being said - fan leaves also draw water and nutrients up the stem and to all plant parts. Without these fan leaves the plant gets less water and nutrients. All in all I've tried it both ways. Way 1 - I cut off all fan leaves that were below where the main cola began. Way 2 - I left all of the fan leaves in place until they yellowed and fell off on their own. Both ways I got about the same overall yeild. Way 1 - was much easier to manicure however this is why I always use way 1 now.

Herbus

[HARDDON]

You can cut fan leaves to expose more light to the rest of the plant.

In some extreme cases, where the heat may approach 95 degrees, the fan leaves will become huge. I too have done it both ways...

And in the future, I just simply wouldnt do it again.

If done in late flower stage, you may be able to get away with it but the harvest time will be accelerated.

Here is the infamous WHORE who underwent near death surgery by removal of most fan leaves. While potent, pure and large, I wouldnt do it again.

2 Befores
2 Afters

[J DOG 6000]

I knew when you were doing that you would regret it^^^
You can cut like 3-4 but thats it and only if they are blocking important bud sites...I like to just move them out of the way instead of cutting them.

[Garden Knowm]

Cutting fan leaves IS wrong.. i concur..
but...but...
for example,
if you have 12+ plants in a 4x4 area with a 1000watt hps
and you flower at 20 inches tall
You can/should remove more than just fan leaves from the bottom 6 inches of those plants, Including all dying or dead matter (fan leaves included) needs to be removed... this will help with light, AIR FLOW, and alllow the plant to use its strength in areas that will actual grow substanial buds.. : )

love

blue hue - great observation, great point,
you have taken on a MONUMENTAL and nobel task of pointing out misinformation... the world is FULL of it, if you continue to be "suprised" you will have some sort of mental break down.... I welcome your re-direction and guidance..

and watch out you dont give misinformmation about misinformation, cause we have a LIBRARIAN/SECURITY asshole ripper, among us, and he'd love to de-virginize you.

i love you

[Johnny Hempseed]

Fan leaves provide the energy directly to the flower they are growing under..a few years back I tested this and trimmed the fan leaves from one side of a plant..and left the other side alone..
You can imagine the results..

[HARDDON]

Johnny Hempseed is correct. While they regulate internal temps, they also act as solar panels for the plant itself.

Without these solar panels the flower will cease to grow much no matter how much sunlight they get. So if you do want to do it, I would advise about 1 week prior to harvest.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

As for the "cause we have a LIBRARIAN/SECURITY asshole ripper, among us, and he'd love to de-virginize you. "......

ROFLMAO

You're not that bad GKnome.....

[Garden Knowm]

YOU KNOW I WAS TALKING ABOUT YOU!!!!

you scary bastard

i love you




LMAO

[Zandor]

Boy I thought this was settled a long time ago.

[bluehue]

lot's of great points--looking at my first post, I sort of came across as a knowitall--didn't mean to but I thought that this was outdated information (not subversive misinformation ;)).

garden knowm--agreed, and the older lower fan leaves are the least productive too. In a sea of green I can see how it has application like you described above.

harddon--nice to see that fat ass plant made it throgh surgery :)

Herbus: hey I can't argue with something that you know works for you, but I have to respectfully disagree with this quote:
"The theory is that fan leaves are only for shading and keeping the plants cool under hot natural sunlight. Since the majority of folks out here are growing indoors these shading fan leaves are not needed."

Fan leaves are as you suggest later also food providers, and as importantly, they aid in photosynthesis, they regulate the metabolic rate of the plant, they transpire water, and yes to a smaller degree provide shelter and protection.

Personally, IMHO the buds that are "underdeveloped/light/fluffy etc. that are hidden underneath those big shade leaves are so because of where they are located on the plant as much as anything else. I never get near the bud production from the lower few branches--and I tie down so that all branches on the plant are equally exposed. But take one of your main branches and tie it down so that it is under the canopy and it will still produce a good dense bud.

I'm not saying that sun on the budsites is useless (light to all portions of the plant is good)...in fact I took the time to tuck and paperclip a lot of the fan leaves on this last grow to see if it would help (though I think it was kinda of a make-work project), but as for trimming I believe the negatives far outweigh the positives of in my opinion.

And hey if I'm wrong, then please feel free to pop my cherry.

cheers all

[Herbus]

You need to remember Bluehue that most folks out here are not using Nitrogen when there plants are on 12/12. You make a good point - but photosynthesis happens at a much slower rate with no nitrogen present. Many of the fan leaves are rendered useless anyways. For the most part I agree with you though.

BTW I use some nitrogen right up until the end. Most all of my fan leaves remain somewhat green right up until harvest. good thread though I'm pretty new here and was not privy to past discussions on this subject.

Herbus

[Garden Knowm]

blue hue - you sound like you could be a keeper
: )