SCHWAZZING AUTOFLOWER

DISCLAIMER
I'm just getting a topic going and If you decide to try it and don't like the results then don't be blaming me lol

But ive done it & others have too and have liked the results
I see that a lot off people is interested in learning about the method of heavy Defoliation at certain points of a grow. (SCHWAZZING)
So I would like to get a thread going regarding this so people can see the benefits off it and how this method is used to increase yeild and to also help out in other factors too.

I copied and pasted the info below from the THREE A lIGHT Google post
to help people out​

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SCHWAZZING
WHAT IS SCHWAZZING?
A Schwazze is essentially an extreme defoliation. Where 100% of the fan leaves are removed from the plant during specific times of the flowering cycle.

How can trimming and pruning a cannabis plant possibly increase its yield? It’s kind of Yin and Yang if you think about it. On one hand we take away, and on the other, we receive!

Our favorite comparison is working out at the gym. When you break down your muscles through constant repetition and heavier weight, your muscles grow stronger and larger. By removing fan leaves from the plant, we are creating more space for airflow, light penetration, and most importantly, we are refocusing the plant’s energy where it matters most: flower development.

WHY USE THE SCHWAZZING METHOD?
One word: Yield. We’ve found that we can dramatically increase our total yield with just 2 Schwazzes at key points in the flowering cycle. The industry standard yield without Schwazzing is around 1.5 to 2lbs per 1000 watt bulb. With Schwazzing, we’ve been able to consistently produce 3 pounds per light and are seeing results north of 4 pounds per light as we continue to optimize the process.

This leads to savings on all fronts, you can generate the same amount of cannabis from a smaller area, meaning you need less space to grow. Energy is saved as you’ll produce so much more per square foot.

If you’re looking for a corporate board room description: Schwazzing allows the plants’ resources to be more effectively allocated. Think of it this way, every single leaf and bud on the plant is pulling nutrients from the soil, using more water, and requiring more light. With a good Schwazze, you reallocate these resources to provide them where we want them most, in the buds.

WHY DOES SCHWAZZING WORK?
Schwazzing works for multiple reasons. The more you think about why this is helping, the more it makes sense. It seems counter-intuitive and destructive at first, but it’s a process that naturally trains the plant to produce more.

A Schwazze will provide the optimum light penetration through the canopy. This increases airflow and light to the lower nodes on the plant. You are essentially eliminating all shade spots. Allowing the energy to focus on the tips instead, where it needs to be focused for more flowering.

The increased airflow provides the plant with a much stronger O2 and CO2 exchange. Basically, it lets it breathe!

In addition, Schwazzing eliminates homes for pests and mildew that can ruin your plants.
IS SCHWAZZING THE SAME AS DEFOLIATION?
Although the idea is similar, defoliation is almost never taken to this extreme of a level. Defoliation is a process that has been used for centuries for many different plants and helps to achieve higher crop yields, it’s even used to produce cotton.
SCHWAZZING IN A HOME GROW SETUP
Schwazzing began in a home grow setup and can be used very effectively on a small scale. Schwazzing has also been scaled up to accommodate larger commercial grows as well.

The only tools you will need are a sharp pair of scissors and patience.
HOW DO YOU SCHWAZZE?
Before we go too deep here, let’s get a little disclaimer in. Schwazzing is a method that can either help you deliver your highest yield ever, or cause plant lock and hermaphroditic plants. Please proceed with caution!

You probably have the basic idea now, trim away the fan leaves. Be advised timing, approach, quantity, and nutrients all play a huge part in this equation. If these exercises aren’t executed properly you can ruin your crop.

You can use this method if you have a hydroponic setup.

If any one would like to add any pics or info to get this thread going then your more than welcome to.
 
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Schwazzed on the 23rd and filling out again.. @420autoflower when would you recommend another stripping?
The the others have started thier stretch now so will tie them down when the times right and take more leaves off in the coming days to open them up for the tie.

DAY 28
LECTER & BRONSON

DAY 23
PREDATOR

DAY 22
SKOOSH


 
Have heard that one can't/shouldn't use any method on auto's (true/False) basicly it comes down to stress (which takes a plant 1 week to recover from) being that auto's can't "adjust" their grow times from defoliation - maybe that can be taken into consideration with auto's --Know there are many posted grows that demonstrate different defoliation methods be it positive or negative. I see no issues with some light defoilation thru grow. Remember that for autos' week 1-3 are veg and weeks 4-12 is flower
 
Schwazzed on the 23rd and filling out again.. @420autoflower when would you recommend another stripping?
The the others have started thier stretch now so will tie them down when the times right and take more leaves off in the coming days to open them up for the tie.

DAY 28
LECTER & BRONSON

DAY 23
PREDATOR

DAY 22
SKOOSH
View attachment 1560142

Your crop looks great @Born slippy!
You have spacing in between your plants and plenty of air flow and light going down below. Might only have to defoliate in a couple weeks and not strip them completely.
 
Your crop looks great @Born slippy!
You have spacing in between your plants and plenty of air flow and light going down below. Might only have to defoliate in a couple weeks and not strip them completely.
Thanks mate.. I probly could fit one in but I the gse controller seems to be doing its job again since I turned up the negative pressure.
24 hour light and good airflow keeps the mold away even at 60 Rh most the grow I find.
I cant do a dark period in my setup due to its location as it would probly get damp. I always have to have the heat and extraction going or my setup will rot. Even when its got no plants in.
 
Thanks mate.. I probly could fit one in but I the gse controller seems to be doing its job again since I turned up the negative pressure.
24 hour light and good airflow keeps the mold away even at 60 Rh most the grow I find.
I cant do a dark period in my setup due to its location as it would probly get damp. I always have to have the heat and extraction going or my setup will rot. Even when its got no plants in.
I have a couple tents in my garage where there isn’t any climate control so I have to leave my lights on 24/7 as well to keep my temps above 60F. I do run a dehumidifier in there but no heater or AC.

Where are you growing? Underground?
 
Here are some finishing pics of the Beaver testers that were schwazzed twice during flowering which were both documented on this thread. They have about another week to go and still doing well. All three are decent size plants and they should end up producing some good weight with absolutely no larf. I know for a fact that these plants wouldn’t have grown so well and I would’ve ended up with over half of it being a bunch of unwanted fluff bud if it wasn’t for all the heavy pruning.

View attachment 1543191View attachment 1543201View attachment 1543192View attachment 1543193View attachment 1543194View attachment 1543195View attachment 1543196View attachment 1543197View attachment 1543198View attachment 1543199View attachment 1543200
Thought some of you might be interested in seeing the final results and numbers of the last 3 plants that I schwazzed and posted here a months ago.
Total gross weight for the 3 autos was 1718 grams (3.83 pounds) and that’s with absolutely zero larf. IMHO… I highly doubt these plants would have produced the way they did if it wasn’t for schwazzing.

#1 862 grams
(3.59 grams per watt)
#2 482 grams
(3.21 grams per watt)
#3 374 grams
(2.49 grams per watt)

 
Thought some of you might be interested in seeing the final results and numbers of the last 3 plants that I schwazzed and posted here a months ago.
Total gross weight for the 3 autos was 1718 grams (3.83 pounds) and that’s with absolutely zero larf. IMHO… I highly doubt these plants would have produced the way they did if it wasn’t for schwazzing.

#1 862 grams
(3.59 grams per watt)
#2 482 grams
(3.21 grams per watt)
#3 374 grams
(2.49 grams per watt)

Amazing numbers mate :thumbsup: did you top or bend the tops for that?
 
Did I do this right?

Before - 100_1540.JPG

After -
100_1541.JPG
 

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