Due to the number of variables involved in the genetics and cultivation methods (not to mention climate and location), it is often hard to answer a question like, “how much cannabis can you get per plant?”. Outliers in both directions can give very misleading indications of what is possible or expected. However, it is also true that there are reasonable upper-bound limits in certain situations. Here is a quick look at how to maximise your yield by looking at how various techniques compare to each other in a standard way, followed by some notes on achieving the full yield potential of your plant.
Indoor Cultivation
Sea of Green (SOG): This method takes advantage of apical dominance and small plants to cram many plants into a small space. It is usually done with a short veg period and typically has between 9 and 25 plants per square meter depending on the pot size and desired outcome. An average yield per square meter would be around 200 grams (7 ounces), but if everything was perfect, it could get up to around 600 grams (21 ounces) per square meter. As with all points made here, the genetics and individual skill level of the cultivator will be a massive contributor to the results.
Screen of Green (SCROG): With training techniques like SCROG, which involves a single layer of canopy to maximise light distribution, you might expect around 1 to 2 grams per watt of light. When done correctly, SCROGing can yield over a kilogram (2.5lbs) per square meter or, if done by an expert, over a kilo per plant.
Topping: The simple act of plant decapitation can actually boost yield almost two-fold! Variables like duration of vegetation and timing of topping will also play a big factor in the outcomes. Topping is often is used in conjunction with other techniques such as SCROG.
Traditional Indoor Growing: Without using such specialised techniques, indoor grows often yield a bit lower than the techniques mentioned above. However, it’s not unreasonable to expect good yields if the pot/root mass is big and the health of the plant is well managed. Check the section at the end on useful tips if growing plants to their natural architecture.
Outdoor Cultivation
In outdoor cultivation there is a big difference in plants grown in enclosed beds/pots versus those in the ground. This can be further broken down by pot size or bed size.
Small to Medium Plants: The range of yield from outdoor plants varies greatly. For example, in small pots, with everything else optimal you can get outdoor plants yielding anywhere from 100 grams (1 lbs) pushing upwards, whereas a medium plant pot would allow the plant to yield up to 1-2 lbs.
Large Plants: If you have the space, the environment, and the expertise to grow larger plants, you might yield in excess of 2 lbs with some expert growers getting up to 5 lbs on large tree-like plants.
Autoflowering Strains
Autoflowering strains typically yield less than photoperiod strains due to their shorter growth period. Indoors, this might translate to a range between 30 to 150 grams (1 to 5.3 ounces) per plant, while outdoor auto-flowering plants might yield slightly more. Not repotting can have a positive impact on autoflower production, therefore planting out in the garden directly into good soil often results in best yields.
Hydroponic Systems
Yields in hydroponic systems can be higher due to the precise control over nutrients and environmental factors. Creating different salt gradients can force roots to uptake more nutrients and this can result in enhanced growth. Although there are incredible soil grown yields too, hydroponics can lead to 20% to 30% higher yields compared to traditional soil growing.
Achieving Upper Bound Limits
Select The Right Strain: Understand the growth characteristics and yield potential of various strains, and select one that aligns with your growing conditions and goals. Scanning genetic catalogues may only provide some of the relevant information for selecting the right strain. Seedsman's genetics have shown to be capable of huge yields in the correct hands and environment. Critical Purple Kush, is one such plant. You can learn more about it here.
Provide Optimal Light: Using high-quality grow lights with a proper spectrum and adjusting light schedules for vegetative and flowering stages can help achieve optimal yields, but to reach the upper-bound limits it is crucial that you reach saturation with light, air, nutrients and water. If all of these are at capacity then you are close to achieving the upper-bound limits of the genetics.
However, if, for example, you add CO2 to your air, it is possible to increase the light intensity beyond the previous saturation point. Typically around 1000umol/per/s-1, further increases to the light intensity without increasing CO2 will actually have detrimental effects on yields.
Monitor And Adjust Nutrients: Regular testing and adjusting nutrient levels as necessary can prevent deficiencies or toxicities. It is always better to be ahead of any problems so regular testing and sampling of nutrient mixes should help keep the plants on target for that maximum yield.
Control Environment: Implementing a climate control system to maintain optimal temperature, humidity and VPN is key here. With the possibility of supplementing with CO2 to maximizing growth, environmental control will keep your plant on track for optimal outputs. If not done correctly, it is unlikely that a plant will reach its full potential.
Use Proper Growing Techniques: Implementing effective training techniques as mentioned previously, regular pruning and care should lead to good results. Choosing the technique at the right time is always key to reaching plantIs maximus!
Conclusion
Keep in mind that achieving the upper limits of cultivation requires careful attention to detail and a willingness to adjust and refine practices continually. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, as different strains and growing conditions will necessitate various strategies. But with research, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn and adapt, it's possible to approach these limits in many growing situations.
Seedsman Recommends 3 High-Yielding Strains
Selecting the right strain is always crucial to achieving those big harvests you've been dreaming of. You can browse our entire collection of high-yielding strains here, but we'd like to offer three of our very finest as a starting point.
Cali Critical Mass
A highly potent hybrid of Critical Kush X Bubba's Gift, Cali Critical Mass is a perefctly-balanced hybrid strain with a THC content in the range of 17-22%. Flavours are mossy and earthy, with a zesty lemon bite, and yields are superb at up to 500-600gm/m2 indoors and as much as 700-900gm/plant outdoors. Flowering takes between 56-64 days.
Purple Ghost Candy
Cruising towards legendary status, our Purple Ghost Candy is a strain that has everything in spades - taste, potency, quality, high yields, and more. This mostly-sativa hybrid crosses the famed Ghost OG and Candyland Purple strains, leading to a sensation new variety with as much as 27.54% THC. The flavour is a fruity sensation, loaded with lemon/lime, grape, peach and mint. Yields are impressively high at as much as 500-600gm/m2 indoors and up to 700-900gm/plant outdoors.
Alaskan Purple
Packed with the irresistible flavour of juicy, sweet berries, Alaskan Purple is an incredible three-way hybrid of Alaskan Purple, Kush, and a Brazilian Sativa. The results are staggering - potency is high, between 15-20%, and this hard-hitting indica finishes flowering in just 63 days. If you want high yields, Alaskan Purple is the answer - indoor growers can reap up to 550gm/m2 of quality buds, while outdoor cultivators may need a fork lift truck to move the breathtaking 1700gm/plant that can be achievable under the right circumstances!
-30%Alaskan Purple
Feminised
