@Born slippy
I've been practicing defolarization techniques for many years.
The techniques are not unlike what's used in the floral industry to produce beautiful flowers.
Those are exactly the same techniques that I use. And have been using them again, for I can't even count the years now I'm too old. But at least 20.
I've been preaching these techniques all over the internet for at least 8 years now.
You can view my techniques on my thread
Growtogrow Michigan Unlimited multi-strain organic grow. and also in the present competition here on AFN, The 2022 Outside Auto photo competition here on this forum.
These are some of my past years photos and also of a commercial farm where I work at part time and taught him these techniques.
The only thing is though, is we don't grow autoflowers. We only grow photosynthesis flowers. I know this technique works on autoflowers. But the reason we don't run autoflowers is because of their inconsistency in product output.
Autoflower's are fine for Niche growing wanting something different so on. But as far as a production plant I have not found one yet that's consistent like a photosynthesis plant can be, consistent in bud structure, flavor n terp profile, growth consistency certain amount of weeks of veg n consistent flower time, yields, and repetitive.
I'm looking forward to see what these techniques with the Autoflower and how they do.
I know there's many Growers on this forum that do practice defoliation techniques.
I'm sure if these techniques work well with the Autoflower that more people will pick up on the techniques.
Present grow in the toenail.