To late to trim back?

You see the dark spot in the very middle? I would defoliate and try to get more light penetration

Hey Buddy first: big picture (and congrats) Before anything technical: Second grow, after a rough first one, and this is what you’ve got? That’s already a win. Seriously. The tent is full, plants are upright, buds are forming everywhere. Nothing here screams “mistake.” ⸻ What we see in the photo: • Healthy structure overall • Plenty of bud sites • Canopy is dense, especially mid–lower section • Some darker, shaded inner leaves (normal at this density) • Airflow and light penetration are the main bottlenecks, not nutrition or genetics This is not a situation that calls for aggressive defoliation. ⸻ The key question: “Should I trim it back?” Short answer: No heavy trim. Only light, intentional cleanup. Here’s why 👇 ⸻ Why hard defoliation isn’t the move (especially with autos) • Autos don’t recover like photoperiods • At ~58 days, you’re already well into flower • Big leaf removal now can slow bud development • The plant is already set on its trajectory So we’re not “resetting” anything, just optimizing flow. ⸻ What is worth doing (gentle & safe) Think selective, not aggressive. ✅ Light cleanup ideas: • Remove a few large fan leaves that: • Are blocking multiple bud sites • Sit deep in the dark with no light access • Clear some of the very bottom / inner fluff that will never see photons • Prioritize airflow paths, not aesthetics 👉 If you remove a leaf, you should be able to explain why that leaf was removed. ⸻ Light vs airflow (this is the real conversation) With a 420W LED in a 100×100 tent, you already have: • Plenty of top-down photons • A full canopy capturing light well What’s limiting yield right now is more likely: • Air exchange inside the canopy • Light reaching lower bud sites Two gentle options: 1. Minimal defoliation + better airflow • Adjust fan angle • Create movement through the middle of the plant 2. Supplement under-canopy light (if available) • Even low-wattage bars help • Much less stressful than leaf removal ⸻ About the darker leaves That slightly darker look: • Can simply be shade response • Not automatically nitrogen excess • Very common in dense, happy canopies If tips aren’t clawing and growth continues → don’t chase it. ⸻ The respectful bottom line • You don’t need to trim hard • You can remove a few strategic leaves if they’re clearly blocking light or air • Focus more on airflow and photon distribution • Trust your instincts, they’ve already improved since grow #1 And honestly? For a second grow, this is exactly where you want to be learning from. Growers Love my friend and keep it up that’s real grower energy 💚

As long as your passing air through the lower canopy were the mass of leaves are it shouldn't really be a problem, harder to get the perfect environment as is. If there are leaves on top of each other them remove, don't make holes in the canopy just remove touching/bunched up leaves that could be a mold risk and stopping airflow... Best of luck they look good nice and healthy

no reason to remove leaves.. .Why hinder light absorption and transpiration? whimsical defoliation is bro-science.