CUT LOWER BRANCHES
I have 11 plants growing in a sea of green (SOG) system. They are in the third week of flowering. I noticed the lower side branches are not going to produce much. Is it OK to cut them off so the plant's food and energy can focus more on the bigger top branches?
Carlson
Yes, they can be removed. In your SOG system all the action takes place at the top of the canopy. When light hits an opaque surface such as a leaf it gives up almost all of its energy. The only spectrum that passes through is infrared, which is not used in photosynthesis, but is used as a signal by plants to elongate to grow out of the shade. As a result leaves underneath the canopy are in shade and do not produce sugars. Instead they receive energy from the plant, emit moisture and block airflow. For all of these reasons they are a detriment to the plant, which will do better without them.
S
Soft Secrets
