Quote Originally Posted by Wert
...I've basically been cutting them around the lights opposed to fitting the lights around them. I do this mainly just to focus the lights on the Kali Mix. It's wierd too the side buds are getting much larger whereas the colas aren't seeing as much production.

I've always been interested in the debate on whether or not trimming fan leaves so the buds recieve more light was a beneficial process. Most people say that light on buds doesn't effect production, but if that is so, why are the buds closer to the light getting bigger than even the main cola?
I did an experiment a while back. I had two clones from same sativa, (Swazi) and I didn't top 'em. On one I removed a couple of fan leaves from the main cola's branch, to allow light to lower budsites. On the other I left untouched.

On the one with the fan leaves removed, main cola slowed her growth allowing lower budsites to catch-up vertically. On the other, the main cola continued normal growth, and filled-in nicely.


Results at harvest:
(no scale in years, so don't know weights)
1. Main cola on untrimmed lady was rock hard and approx. triple the size of the other. Was about 10" long 3 1/2" in diameter. Normal secondary buds...a bit airy, but smokable, lol.
2. Main cola on trimmed fan leaves plant was almost as short as normal secondary buds, which ended-up almost as tall as main cola, netting lower yeild overall. Cola was about 7" long, a couple of inches in diameter.
Secondary buds were a bit larger and possibly a tad firmer than the other, but did not make-up for the lesser cola yeild overall. The bowl of Untrimmed disassembled plant was fuller than the other, and you could feel the dry weight difference.

Not scientific, and just one experiment...but same conditions, same light, same everything except removing a few of the fan leaves from the main cola.
Not sure if it's a 'light' issue, or it's removing that branches storehouse of nutes, hormones and minerals which slows it's growing tips, or what, but it did convince me to push the leaves aside rather than plucking them.

Overall, if a leaf is already looking sorry, and is in the way, I'll pluck it. Otherwise the most I do is push it out of the way.

However, SOG growers trim all the undergrowth, don't they? Perhaps that's the difference,
Taking from the top: not so good.
Taking from the bottom: not so bad?
Hmmm.....
Rusty Trichome Reviewed by Rusty Trichome on . First log, CFLs & PHarvest?! Well guys, I've been around here soaking in all the information for quite some time. I think about three years now? I've got about 5 grows under my belt this is my 6th. I'd like to thank everyone on the board here by the way because without you guys I would never have been able to get this far. I'm using FFOF with the FF 3 Part Nutrients. All of my strains are from bagseed, I am skeptical posting this let alone mailing seeds to my house. My lights are 7 6500K 27W Daylight and 6 3700K(I Rating: 5