GMSgrowsanswered grow question 4 years ago Usually if a non purple plant starts getting some purple in the stem of the leaf means they were wanting a little more nutes. Defoliation is ok but that is a pretty heavy defoliation you did there.. stressed her some for sure. Plants use the leaves to create the sugar-energy they need to grow and bloom. It's best just to remove the light blockers. I personally tuck most of the leaves down and in to let light in. Remove to many leaves before flower and you lose a lot of its energy production. Big leaves, big buds.... Cheers