This isn't a problem more curiosity! The leaf...

Hi @hydrohippy! Short answer: both! That leaf is certainly helping in the photosynthesis process and at the same time she is consuming plant's energy to get bigger. If the leaf isn't creating shade onto bud sites, I would leave it as it is, this would be the "solar panel" to develop the buds on this same node. If the leaf is problematic, because it's blocking light penetration or because it's way too big and it's disturbing your airflow, I would tuck it away. Did you know that bud-sites are also really good at catching light and handling photosynthesis? Hope this will help, keep us up-to-date and happy growing! 👊

In veg I generally leave the leafs alone for the simple reason that if you cut off the leaf to redirect the energy, that energy will go into growing new leaves, as well as new nodes but new leaves as well. The best thing to do in veg to redirect the most amount of energy to the nodes is to top or FIM. The leaves are good in veg as they will act as solar panels for the plant. Doing a big defoliation before flowering, and/or doing it after the stretch to help redirect energy into the buds has also been helpful for me.

Interesting question ! I think the leave is a surface that allow plant to make the photosynthesis happens so at that stage the leaf will provide energy to the plant , Now if you cut the leaf you are redirecting the energy she was consuming to the other parts of the plant ( generally the new leaves )