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.

 

[420autoflower]

Did the second and final schwazz and cola shearing last week on the Beaver testers.

View attachment 1536166View attachment 1536167View attachment 1536168View attachment 1536169View attachment 1536170View attachment 1536171View attachment 1536172View attachment 1536173View attachment 1536174

View attachment 1536177View attachment 1536178View attachment 1536179

This is them a week later

 

[Egg]

This is them a week later

View attachment 1536181View attachment 1536182View attachment 1536184View attachment 1536185

View attachment 1536186View attachment 1536187

Looks awesome in there, if I get half of that with the current run I'll be well happy

 

[420autoflower]

Mucho Gracias @BorincanaLaCucu!
Me alegra que te guste.

 

[420autoflower]

Looks awesome in there, if I get half of that with the current run I'll be well happy

Thank you @Eggboy!
How did your last crop end up turning out? All dried yet?

 

[NORB YIPPLS]

Got the scrog net up last night and they gonna be getting Scwhazzed when the time is right.
What u think @420autoflower. Another week at least?

 

[Egg]

Thank you @Eggboy!
How did your last crop end up turning out? All dried yet?

Not quite @420autoflower, got 1 hubbabubbahaze dragging her heels but buds are solid and I'm happy with the results. That was my first time schwazzing and also topping but I'll be practicing both from now on thanks to you and @hope2grow, you've certainly got it down to an art.

 

[Bob's Auto's]

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.

Timing is a big question for me...When do we defoliate?

Warning - rememeber when you take leaves most will; not grow back depending on time defoliated. here is when yopu do it - 3days before 12.12 flip and 4th week of flower. Just be careful !! another reference source is GrowWeedEasy - have a picture of process

That's for photo's, but what with auto's?

 

[420autoflower]

Got the scrog net up last night and they gonna be getting Scwhazzed when the time is right.
What u think @420autoflower. Another week at least?View attachment 1536410View attachment 1536411

Wow! Nice looking canopy Slippy.
Good time to do a final defoliation but I don’t think its necessary to completely strip them down. You have some good light penetration and airflow already from what it looks like.

Not quite @420autoflower, got 1 hubbabubbahaze dragging her heels but buds are solid and I'm happy with the results. That was my first time schwazzing and also topping but I'll be practicing both from now on thanks to you and @hope2grow, you've certainly got it down to an art.

I’m sure they came out nice bro… they looked very dense and frosty in your last pre-harvest pics.
Great growing!

Timing is a big question for me...When do we defoliate?



That's for photo's, but what with auto's?

All depends on how dense my canopies are but I typically like to do the first strip towards the end of the second week of flower and the second round of heavy pruning at the end of the fourth week of flower. If I notice my R/H climbing or excessive stretch then I might do the first schwazz sooner.

 

[Ronesko_420]

Advice on this? Looks like it’s fox tailing, should I defoliate all the yellowing leaves and some that are curling? Took a good amount off today already before the picture. Trying not to stress her too much lol. 5 week ish in flower.

 

[Humanrob]

I'm curious if any of the more experienced 'schwazzers' have noticed any plant characteristics that make a strain a better or worse candidate for schwazzing? What made me think of this is that my Fugue State is a very sativa leaning pheno, and when it came time to do the second trim it had not developed many new leaves compared to the others. Some of my more Indica leaning strains filled right back out again after the first trim. I ended out taking most of those new leaves off the FS, hopefully I didn't go to hard with it.

Completed my second round. No doubt there is more light getting through. Six different strains, each was it's own challenge. Possibly the hardest one was the Cosmic Queen, because the whole top of the plant is covered with frost, even the fan leaves. Great "problem" to have, but it did require a lot of trimming choices.

Overall so far I'd say schwazzing makes more sense if you are growing all one strain (or very similar ones). As I mentioned before, I have to do these all at once, and I have quick-to-finish and slower/longer strains started together that all got trimmed on the same schedule, and I don't think that's optimal. If they all manage to do well, that will indicate a lot of flexibility with this style of growing.

The first six weeks are always the easiest for me with autos, it's the next six+ that could be a challenge. Hopefully I can keep them properly fed and happy. Knowing there are no fan leaves for them to cannibalize, my tendency is going to be to feed them more, but I'm assuming I should resist that urge?