First Ever Grow - Orange Sherbet Auto 420FastBuds

Week 5: I had to defoliate some more, I was having a hard time watering, and it seemed that the upper leaves were blocking some areas. Anyway, I think I overdid it again. I also increased the nutrients, and re-adjusted the light a little bit lower. It seems the plant is getting quite strong. I want it to get as much light as it can. Hope I didn't stress it out too much. I took ofF some of the middle leaves that were too long but now I wanna stick them back on! Second guessing this is killing me. Buds start to develop but they look quite airy so far. Maybe I shouldn;t have messed with it that much. Lots of white pistils, but I don;t see any serious bud development. Very small, popcorny, spaced one from the other (because of too much stretching?) except from the tops. Maybe it's too early? I don't know. Nothing fat so far.