Trimming

You are better to LST your autos initially. I defoliate only after those approaches. It is too easy to stress autos. I have in the past with topping. I defoliate and lollipop because I pack a lot into a small tent. Without a bit of defoliation it gets too crowded. The best approach I have found so far though is scrogging. It exposes more of the plant to the lights.

Hey :-) I would not cut anything away yet ;-) leave it as it is. When it blooms you can trim the lowest weakest shoots :-)

I have a plant that develops much nicer colas when i defoliate it. I've had plants where it only reduces yield. Mileage will vary. Try a portion of the plant and comapre -- if you've LST'd make sure to compare areas that branch off at same point on apical meristem. i lower branch gets less resources than a higher branch and over time that gap only widens. If you stil have 10-14 days left of growth before it focuses on ripening, what you cut off will most likely still grow back, if a bit smaller depending on how much time you have left. Try taking off the higher leaves that are large and blocking multiple other colas. By doing that, those branches that are revealed will grow tighter nodes instead of stretching to find light. Same ideas behind how LST works. The plant reacts in predictable ways, so manipulate it as you see fit. If you can tuck a leaf instead of cutting it and get the same results that is a far better way to go. i'd still remove lower nodes / branching that only grow whispy pistils. If you do a SoG type setup, this is less likely to be seen than with larger plants. So, many factors will come into play as far as how much help it actually provides. Just do it to an area of the canopy and compare later to a similarly vigorous area of canopy. 2 clones, even better.

Hello.. Hope you are well.. If ur a new grower i personally wudnt try defoliation.. She will get great bud formation all over(even those in shade) if she healthy and strong.. She looks great so far.. In nature nothing comes and naturally defoliates ganja so let her grow n just watch n learn a plants traits and growing characteristics.. Concentrate on other techniques like feeding correctly and room air conditioning.. Once uve got these sorted then start developing ur pruning and defoliation techniques once ur a bit more confident.. - Ur the boss of ur grow tho so if u really want to take them off then go for it n do so.. Just dont eva take off loads in 1 sitting.. Stay safe n gud luck.. 👍🍀