SCROG in 2.5 weeks Flower - Thin out the canopy or not?

if any condensation is occuring, i'd bend or remove a leaf to avoid it, otherwise save as many leaves as possible. it's a slightly over-crowded canopy, so i wouldn't expect a deep zone of 'better' buds. Lollipopping might be wise. No gaurantee. I don't think it's so over-crowded that you have to do anything drastic. You only need ~3 colas per sq ft to maximize yield. however much vertical growth you got in the last week, i'd expect at least that much before vege growth ceases. That can help decide where to draw that invisible line as far as where to lollipop. Because of how shielded lower areas are, may want a shorter depth of buds... could leave a bit more on some branches to compare your choices after harvest. Verify if your guessimate of the "larf level and below" was good or not. (branches in high-intensity light areas might get a little deeper with good buds - i.e. corners vs central area are going to have some differences) leaving a couple potential whispy buds won't ruin anything. Since you are learning, i'd be conservative in this regard until you know exactly what you prefer.