How much you defoliate / how many nodes you go into flower with has a couple MAIN factors,
1) what is your final light? Wattage wise
2) how full is your canopy? You want 85ish % of your canopy full when starting flower, if it is less full you will get more light penetration and can have some more on the bottom..
Check out my newest grow, look how aggressive I stripes those plants before flower, I’m about day 35 now and have a 12-14” canopy of all top buds..
Don’t be afraid to cut lower branches..the buds are never as big, they take energy from the top of the plant, and they are a PAIN IN THE BUTT TO TRIM!
Also.. if you take say 30-40% of your foliage off, then your plants can use the same light for another 2ish weeks untill you need more light again... less light, less heat, less problems...