Indoor Lower fan leaf removal?

[zeeker]

Once your plants reach height where you have a pretty decent canopy, should you remove the lower fan leaves (not getting much light anyway) so that the plant can use all of it's energy on top growth? Seems logical....

 

[archaiclife]

I was wondering if it would benefit the buds to cut the leafs.if they r blockin light on some buds in a scrog. Ive herd to leave them for sugar production but i need big buds this time around plus tuey r already rolled in sugar

 

['smax]

You've just entered the twilight zone of whether or not to defoiliate my friend. People generally seem to be pretty polarized on this. It's the logic of more light = more bud vs fan leaves as energy for bud production. I personally remove leaves when : They are hindering airflow through canopy, or I cannot tuck and fold them to allow light to penetrate to budsites.
I don't think there's an actual definitive answer to whether it helps or not.
Now that I reread your post properly, It sounds like your talking about lolly popping which is a widely used technique a la sog method.

 

[Muddy]

I only remove some of the lower ones that are close to the soil as they usually end up getting wet and covered in soil anyway. I also remove any small buds in close to the main stem as they never amount to much. Otherwise, I leave the fan leaves. They store energy that is released in the last 2 weeks or so of the grow and that energy really puts some weight on the buds.

 

[canon]

IMHO,, your thinking upside down.
Often I'll remove the higher fans and leave the lowers.
If you think about it (AND TEST IT OUT)......

Admittedly,,, it's not a straight across the boad thing. Timing means a lot, and that is relevant to strain.

 

[Muddy]

Removal of those lower leaves also promotes better air circulation to the soil surface. Wet soil can provide the perfect environment for fungus gnats, algae and mold. So for me, the lower ones go. I like at least 2 - 3" of bare stem at the bottom of the plant.