Early defoliation

If the leaves are blocking underlaying growth i would say tuck the leaver under if its to hard to big and its annoying you take it off if she is in good shape Greetings butch 🐕

Wait 3

DON'T do it! ALL of the plants' energy to grow and thrive is made by/in the leaves. Less leaves = less energy being made = less potential growth............it's that simple! Besides, if your plant would not NEED those leaves, it would not grow them in the first place. Defoliation is probably the most misunderstood "thing" when it comes to plants. Unfortunately people think they have to do it just because everyone else is doing it, without ever realizing or knowing how it actually effects the plant. It really is not required at all IMO, unless there are massive problems controlling humidity in an enclosed area during flowering.

Wouldn't remove anything from this plant at this time. Unless you intend to grow an incredibly tiny plant, those first couple nodes along any side branching won't even be used later on.. a fraction more stretch is no biggie at this point for thos lower branches. When they ar elong enough, just tilt them to each side of the larger fan leaves and they'll be in direct light again soon enough.

No , wait . They need those leaves to grow