I honestly don't really know what I'm doing. I just watch the plant and when I can't take it anymore I start whacking stuff off. It seems to work for me though. I know a chemdoggin I grew out recently never would have approached the 13.2 ounce yield I had if I hadn't done some massive defoliation late in flower. But, I'm ready to fall on face and concede I just got lucky last time. If that's the way it goes.I've just harvested a N/L plant that had very similar thick foliage. I wish I had known it was okay to defoliate earlier in her life. Yours looks happier to breath. I'd be tempted to take more off in a few days