Yeah i dont think it affects them. I trim my fan leaves at the top and bottom, if the top ones are blocking light they come off and the little airy buds at bottom come off so all strenghth goes to main buds. Just experiment, you wont kill it and you will find how you like them to grow. I have recently started topping my plants and i get double yield as i get 4 main leads. I know the fan leaves feed the plant, just dont go over the top. :rasta: