I could definitely use some help on further learning about pruning, in order to validate if my pruning is correct or good enough.
Any tips? Thanks.
4 Likes
What are you doing currently? Let’s start there. You may be training/pruning just right
2 Likes
I´m trying to go really slow about it, so I just look for those leafs that seems to be only taking up the nutrients, especially the big ones that are just out there “hanging”. Also I try to prune the new leaves that are growing from the bottom. My doubt is really not having enough experience or sensibility to say when its enough or should I prune more.
3 Likes
That sounds about right. Those bottom leaves can go.
Are you pruning at all from the top of the canopy? Are you doing any FIMing/Topping?
2 Likes
I have not pruned the canopy. Honestly, If I did FIMing/Topping was out of luck and not because I knew what to do.
1 Like
Bear in mind that those large leave are photosynthesizing sugar for the plant. There is a concept in horticulture called net photosynthesis, abbreviate (P net), that being gross photosynthesis (all sugar produced), minus respiration (all sugar consumed for maintenance). Of course this needs to be positive, so there is energy for new growth. If this is negative, your plant is dying. If it is not optimized, growth rate slows. If (P net) is negative for a specific region of the plant from shading, it is an energy sink and should be removed. If that leaf gets a lot of light and is not shading a flower, it’s (P net) will be positive and should be left alone. Removing shaded bottoms is a good practice, by increasing overall (P net) and increasing airflow. Overall, if it isn’t excessively shaded, and isn’t causing too much shade on flowers, leave it in place. Some people do a lot of defoliating (lollipopping or excessive pruning), I disagree with this practice on the basis of net photosynthesis. Opening up the canopy through selective pruning is good, particularly for indoor, but once you hit a point where light is hitting your soil, you’re wasting energy that could have gone to photosynthesis.
That being said, my best suggestion for you is to experiment to learn. Give different plants of the same cultivar slightly different treatments and track final yield so you can learn where that sweet spot lies for each cultivar in your specific system.
4 Likes
@Farmer_Dan, I have no words to say how much I want to Thank you! I really appreciate your message.
Not only have you nailed with such a scientific explanation, also a very fancy one.
Thanks for encouraging me on continuing experimenting, in order to learn and be a better Grower.
4 Likes