Is this the age old question

[Jamez]

Ok this is the deal. I grow White widow in soil under 400w hps, I was wondering is it better to cut off all the shade leaves once buds start showing so the ones on the bottom get more light or just leave them to do there thing?

 

[GreenThumb]

Leave them.. Never cut off leaves. It's like taking away the plants food supply.
Leaves not only store nutes but are crucial for photosynthesis.

 

[skunk]

the lower buds wouldve have light if you lst them in the beggining.

 

[Biffdoggie]

Or prune all the little suckers of in the beginning. You can "tuck leaves out of the way surrounding bud sites to give a little more clearance also.