How to properly Defoliate?

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Well I'm going to disagree as my grow has followed 1st day of switching lights and 3 weeks later aggressive defoliation,using your head not to rip through virtually every leaf etc, my diary is up to the week I did just that with before and after pics, Why if a theory is a proven one do people dismiss it? Great for sog situations in tent. I would say the strain is important to do this. RQS Critical for example,fast grower and pretty bulletproof. It's your grow and I see where you are going, yes, start low and follow your instincts, GO FOR IT

Personally, I never remove leaves unless they are almost dead. Defoliation is not a necessary "step" when growing cannabis. I would strongly advise against traumatizing any plant ever with the "technique" known as schwazzing! Again, personally I do not think your plant would benefit in any way from leaf removal, she isn't a huge jungle that needs opening up, what you have done is great and your plant looks super healthy, so why distress it. What GrowingGrannie wrote has a lot of merit too. Just remember, - Less leaves = less energy being made = less potential growth. Your plant is also relying on nutrient reserves that she has stored in its older leaves for use during flowering, as this is more efficient than growing flowers and making new nutrients (carbs, sugars, starches, amino acids etc) at the same time. Without those reserves she has to divide her available energy between flower growth and nutrient making. With those reserves in the leaves (if they are left on the plant), she can put much more energy into just flower growth, resulting in bigger buds. So, not only does defoliation rob your plant of its ability to make energy, which limits growth, it also robs her of vital stores of pre made nutrients that she needs to grow her flowers, again limiting potential, so why defoliate at all? Hope this helps, Organoman.

There's nothing wrong with what you are doing, just imagine, plants grow leaves to catch sun which moves, under light its fixed so no need for many leaves, fan leaves generally store food, unless you don't feed them is that necessary? Better airflow and RH lights off, Like I said, they need leaves to drive them and breathe, there's nothing wrong with the method

This method may be what you are seeking. https://www.growweedeasy.com/schwazzing-cannabis

Why do you think you HAVE to defoliate? There are a lot of growers who never defoliate even one fan leaf unless it's dead... If this is your first grow, I'd skip that "requirement" because it ISN'T a requirement! Selective defoliation is fine if you do it slowly AND FOR A REASON... if you've got a terribly bushy plant (I'm talking JUNGLE here), and you want to get more light to bud sites or you need to increase the air flow then you can start trimming off a few fan leaves here and there that will help the cause. The only thing you have to make sure of is that you use very sharp, sterilized scissors or knife. And don't do a whole lot at once because it IS stressful to the plant and she'll need time to recover. You've done SUCH a nice job with the LST, I don't see what you're going to gain. But it's your call! Good luck...

I recently did mine leaving the 4 or so round bud sites and removing big storage fan leaves and by looking down on ot to see what bud sites are shaded,but leaves drive the plant so don't go mad, remember you can't stick them back on if you change your mind! Nice choice Good luck 👍