Defoliation?

overlapping / touching leaves might not be a bad idea, but don't create large gaps in canopy. I try to think ahead 2-3 weeks.. whats going to be a mess of congested shit? then i alternate what i remove as i go around the plant. Leaves that are less than 5 days old aren't the most useful, but will be shortly. Be patient.. wait until there is a good reason to remove a leaf.. Depending on size of the plant, you may want a little less intense light early on. The plant can spread out better. Unless growing a very small plant, these earlay nodes are unlikely to produce buds later on... likely pruned off at some point. Don't over do this.. but a little less early, then amp up after a week or two can really be helpful to spread the plant out more easily. Get those tight nodes going again after 1-2 nodes of growth on the branches. Train them out early... check out the 'defoliate or not' article on cocoforcannabis by dr photon.. best info out there i've found. debunks a few myths and gives framework of cause/effect to make informed choices instead of following a herd of stupid.