I'm not an expert but I'll give this a shot...
Quote Originally Posted by harris7
is their a major problem with removing the lower branches in flowering??
I don't think there is... hormonally, they are pretty much under control of the topmost tips [apical dominance] ... their growth is supressed by the presence of the top shoots... cutting dominant tips changes the hormonal balance of the plant... low, useless branches that get no light got no say in the matter, lol... I take them right off at the last transplant.. just like the 4 weakest ones... if they are healthy, go ahead and use them for clones.
Quote Originally Posted by harris7
how many woul dyou suggest removing at a time? ?
As I said above, I don't see that taking them all at once or a couple at a time would make much difference because of the lack of auxin production in those sites.. the plant would basically not really notice them being gone, you know?
Quote Originally Posted by harris7
Do you remove the small fan leafs that dont get light?
no, I NEVER touch fan leaves until they are at least 50% dead.