I am generally very cautious with cutting something. Exception: topping but that‘s another story.
Every single leaf is a „power plant“ and provides the vital energy to our beloved plants. Fan leafs primary for growth of the plant itself, branching and also for preservation of the plant during its cycle of life. Sugar leafs primary for bud development.
IMHO every single leaf has its function. Cutting leafs means stress to the lady and it‘s always recommendable to evaluate the benefits vs. possible damage. When you cut some leafs, often you will notice that plants drink less afterwards ... so there is no or nearly no transfer of energy to the remaining plant but less photosynthesis.
I think that spreading the plant (LST, possibly topping) and leaf tucking in order to provide more light to the top and leafs of the lower branches are the key. If the lowest pair of branches are small and weak, a bit of LST of all the other branches above will provide enough light to let them grow quite big (close to the stem „through“ the branches above).
Plants are smart enough to deal with the covered leafs (and a lot of other situations). If there is not enough light for photosynthesis, leafs keep their green colour but start to get flaccid and finally fall down. If not, then there is enough light for photosynthesis. Even a highly reduced photosynthesis of a covered leaf is better than cutting it off.
If you have a very dominant branch whose fan leafs cover too much of the lowers, it can be a benefit to top the leafs instead of cutting them off.
Leafs are „power plants“ ... not consumers of energy.
P.s.: all above is based on my experience and understanding ..I am no scientist.
Cheers and happy growing,
El Gringuito
