Wow, almost forgot to update. I did some pruning, close to the pistilwhipt method that @monkeyman mentioned my first round. I removed all but the top 5 or so nodes, what ever left a relatively even, but not wide canopy of tops. The main goal was to open up air flow, and to keep the bushing out to a minimum.
I flipped them to 12/12 last night (Jan 31). After the pruning, there was enough space to squeeze in the two smaller god bud clones, one for pollination, one for smoke. The male that is remaining is going in just till I can collect some pollen to satisfy my curiosity. It’s a male that grew from a fem seed. It’s a tester, along with almost everything else in the tent. I won’t be spreading any seeds from this tester male, I just want to see if males from fem seeds (possibly xx males) produce fem or nearly fem pollen. On that note, I may have more pollen to Choose from to put on the orange goji and god bud. @TheBubbleKing is sending me some, and then I just got two nice males from a friend so I can collect pollen, a NL x orange grove, and Aloha OG (came from a pack of fem MWCB, but sebring says pollen may have drifted from the Primate OG). Too many pollen choices and not enough branches, going to have to save some for later.
I prob could go more aggressive with defoliation, but up until recently I didn’t even know that was a thing, so I won’t do it unnecessary. Is there a benefit besides airflow? Removing the extra sucker branches already gets rid of most of the air restrictions and eliminates the larf. Does it force more bud production since the plant isn’t supporting all the foliage? But I always saw lower leaves as a reserve for nutrients, even if it’s not getting much light.
Before
After (male front and center, small container with pink label)