By Natascha Pearson
April 17, 2021
The importance of Defoliating, also known as de-leafing, is to promote growth and allow air throughout the plant to cut down on mold and stagnant air. By getting rid of dirty, bruised, and large leafs the plant can focus its energy on growing its flower. Topping and Lollipopping is a way to defoliate the plant. When clearing leaves from the base of the plant, it might be necessary to pluck tiny flowering buds called Suckers which have an unwanted fluffy consistency.
By defoliating the plant, you are allowing the plant more oxygen and CO2 to the plant. The defoliation process is an excellent time to check for bugs. Growing outdoor caterpillars are camouflaged under leaves and at the stem, leaving minor bite marks amongst the leaves. Mites leave specks on the leaves and can be easily removed by spraying a mix of peppermint essential oil and citric acid or Dr.Bronners. Strip any damaged leaves by removing them by hand or with scissors (preferably without springs) at the leaf's base. For best results, spray vitamin B on the plants before defoliating to aid with stress (use lightly if going into flower) and water afterward. After de-leafing properly, the bottom of the plant should look bare. Now the tops are ready for new growth, and light can easily penetrate all of the plants. If the plant's buds and stems are exposed to direct light, there won't need to be as much defoliation.
Topping the plant is done early on in vegetative growth. By cutting the tops of the plant, you are allowing more room for the bottom leaves to grow and flower.
Three weeks before flowering, an option is to lollipop your plant by removing the bottom third of its stems and flowers. It is also recommended to defoliate before flushing the plants to help ripen lower bud sites.