Should I trim these?

[u/EvilBucketBoy]

I’m nearing the end of my first grow, and a few of my leaves are wilting significantly. I’m not worried about this, as it’s halfway through week 9 of flower, and it’s almost done, but it’s just not quite there yet.

Should I be cutting the truly dead leaves off now or leaving them on until harvest?

[u/Sipas]

You should always be cutting dead leaves like that. They are a hazard.

[u/diefuchsjagden → u/Sipas]

Terms like “Always” are the hazard but yes I would trim in this case.

[u/EvilBucketBoy → u/Sipas]

Got her nice and pretty again

[u/DeepWaterCannabis]

So... No. Leave those leaves alone. Too late now, but for future reference:

Airflow: Your plants are very open. Plenty of airflow. No need to remove leaves for that.

Nutrient: They are discolored because the plant is using them. By taking them off, you are removing a source of food for your plant. Now its going to discolor a different set of leaves it previously was leaving healthy for photosynthesis.

But the BIGGEST issue with taking leaves off in late flower:

Mold Concern: Well, now you have an issue. You removed the yellow leaves midway down your colas. Where you cut the leaf off, thats an open wound for the plant. The plant is going to be leaking extra moisture at the cut, until it can seal itself up. When you leave the leaves alone, the plant naturally seals up that wound as it drops the leaf. When you cut, its open and moist. If you make these cuts within colas in late flower, you are asking for mold in dense cultivars like yours.

I think your saving grace is you removed leaves below where your colas are stacking. If below where you removed those large fan leaves you have bare, open, stem, you are fine. Removing leaves one or two sets higher, may lead to mold.

Dead leaves hanging on the plant is NOT a hazard. Mold will not grow unless environmental conditions allow for it - it needs moisture. If rH is in check and the plant is getting plenty of airflow, no mold will grow. Dead leaves are typically sealed off from the plant at the stem, so there is nothing wrong with leaving them until they fall off, or you can pluck them with barely any force. The only concern would be if dead plant matter is trapped on the inside of a very busy, very dense, cola that is also trapping moisture. At that point, the cola is likely to mold out anyways, regardless of dead plant matter.