The pick
Lollipopping wins for most home grows. It takes one pass, one tool, and about 15 minutes per plant. Defoliation takes 2 or 3 passes and returns less per minute of work.
Defoliation Outdoor Cannabis Guide
What each job does
Defoliation removes fan leaves from the canopy. Growers strip leaves at the switch to 12/12 and again near day 21 of flower. A hard strip removes 50% or more of the leaf area. That cuts photosynthesis.
defoliation vs lollipopping cannabis
Lollipopping removes growth below the lowest bud site. The cut starts at the base and stops at the bottom third of the plant height. The plant keeps its canopy and drops the larf.
Compare
- Time: lollipop 10 to 20 minutes per plant, one pass. Defoliation 20 to 45 minutes per plant, 2 to 3 passes.
- Tools: bypass shears for stems. Leaf pluckers or gloves for defoliation.
- Risk: defoliation in week 3 of flower can stall stretch. Lollipopping has no window after week 3.
- Yield: lollipopping moves growth to top colas and drops airy lower bud. Defoliation helps light reach lower sites in a scrog.
- Airflow: both lower mold risk. Lollipopping does more, since the bottom holds the damp air.
Options
For lollipopping
- Straight bypass pruners, 6 to 8 inch blade. Clean cut, one squeeze.
- Curved blade snips for tight nodes.
- Trim tray to catch the cut material.
For defoliation
- Thin nitrile gloves. Grip leaf, pull down.
- Leaf pluckers with a small hook tip.
- Bonsai snips for petioles.
When to skip both
Skip if the plant is under 12 inches, if it shows stress, or if it is an autoflower past week 3. Do not cut a plant that is 2 weeks from harvest.