Time to defoliate?

Let them finish stretching (if they havent) before you start chopping as they will slow down for a few days which you dont wanna lose in stretch. Most of the guys here (me included) would advise defoliating an auto - just try tucking leafs where needed although for pruning and removing sucker buds do that after stretch, again to nit slow them down too much. You might have good light penetration if you keep on top of your LST and not even need to defoliate.

Servus Mate, I'd go with a light defo, as Autos are more likely to be stressed out. 3rd week of bloom is latest to do that.. Good luck, Servus ✌️

I do all my removal if I do any while the plants are in transition to try to slow there stretch, if they are stretching more than I like. When they actually show flowers, I don't touch any leaves until the last couple of weeks, to not give any undo stress... Cheers