Will removing bottom leaves create more forks?

[chillilover]

Will removing bottom leaves create more forks? My plants have only a few forks at the moment but ton of leaves below the first fork. Should I remove them all? Will that allow the plant to have more energy to make more forks and thus, more peppers?

 

[SouthernYooper]

The plant will pretty much boot it's lower leaves when it's ready.

 

[charlesNYC]

i removed the bottom leaves from my habs and the small leaves at the nodes forked up.

 

[SouthernYooper]

My Bhut dropped it's bottom leaves and started to fork.

 

[POTAWIE]

In my opinion removing bottom leaves will not create more forks. I only remove bottom leaves that are unhealthy, or near the soil to avoid fungii and pest problems but generally if a leaf is healthy it is still useful for photosynthesis

 

[patrick]

In my opinion removing bottom leaves will not create more forks. I only remove bottom leaves that are unhealthy, or near the soil to avoid fungii and pest problems but generally if a leaf is healthy it is still useful for photosynthesis

+1 I recently had a Master Gardner tell me if the leaf is green it's working to keep the plant growing and healthy.

 

[AjarnV]

In my opinion removing bottom leaves will not create more forks. I only remove bottom leaves that are unhealthy, or near the soil to avoid fungii and pest problems but generally if a leaf is healthy it is still useful for photosynthesis

+2 I have to agree, IME. Topping does however work quite nicely.

 

[bigt]

I let the bottom leaves fall off on their own. It's empowering to the plant to let them make their own decisions.

 

[Nova]

I let the bottom leaves fall off on their own. It's empowering to the plant to let them make their own decisions.

You dawg!

 

[Hot Pooper]

Mine told me they like it when I take them for a little walk...