Trimming
Trimming is also known as defoliating, which means removal of leaves from your plant. It can be done for various reasons, such as to control pests, promote better air circulation and light penetration, and to increase yields.
At this stage (week 3 of the vegetation/autoflowering stage), the primary purpose of trimming is to promote the growth of strong branches from axillary buds. This can be achieved by removing the large fan leaves located under the axillary buds.
It's essential to trim with caution to avoid stressing the plant, and only remove necessary leaves to encourage healthy growth.
To trim a plant, follow these steps:
Determine which fan leaves to remove by targeting the ones located under the axillary buds.
Use a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to make a precise cut and remove the identified fan leaves.
After completing the trimming process, the plant's growing energy will shift towards the development of its branches.