Advice?

Advice?..........don't defoliate........training and "leaf tucking" is all you need to do. Those big leaves you removed were making bulk energy for your plants to grow. Less leaves = less energy being made = less growth. Buds look like another 7-14 days to go, depending on preferences. Also, raise the smaller plants up so that their tops are level with the tops of the older plants Bricks or inverted empty pots work well. Remove the bricks etc as they grow upwards, always aiming to keep a level canopy layer.