Obtain higher yields from marijuana plants
Every indoor or outdoor grower has always been concerned with how to get a higher yield from their plants. marijuana plants, seeing an increase in its bud production both in weight and quantity.
It is important to remember that outdoor crops have certain climatic parameters (humidity, air, temperature, hours of light, rain, etc.) that are difficult to control because they are determined by the type of climate and the place where we grow.
It's essential to select a good location for outdoor cultivation and conduct a study to determine the approximate conditions for that specific site. We can base this on our previous experience growing in that location and on local weather forecasts. Once we have gathered all the necessary information, we can then choose which type of cannabis plants (indica or sativa) will be suitable for growing there.
Find more information on our blog about the types and characteristics of marijuana plants:
- Difference between feminized seeds, regular seeds and autoflowering seeds
- Difference between cannabis sativa, indica or rudelaris
Outdoor crops or indoor crops
- Select high-yielding cannabis seeds and genetics
- Types of pruning for marijuana plants
- Apical pruning
- FIM pruning
- ‘'Pinching off'’
- ‘'Super-cropping'’
- Fertilizers for growing your marijuana plants
- pH adjustment in cultivation
Indoor crops
- Optimize the conditions of the growing site
- The renewal and extraction of air from the crop
- Humidity in the crop
- Light intensity
- (SOG) cultivation technique
Below we will detail some aspects that can help increase the production of marijuana plants in both outdoor and indoor cultivation:
Outdoor crops or indoor crops
Select high-yielding cannabis seeds and genetics
Choosing the type of marijuana seeds The type of seed you choose to cultivate is a very important factor, as not all genetics have the same yield percentages. We always recommend germinating a few extra seeds, because it's possible that not all of them will follow the desired growth pattern, allowing you to keep the best ones.
It can be grown from seed or from cuttings. We always recommend starting from seed, as this eliminates the risk of pre-existing and unwanted pests. Seeds will always result in a more uniform crop and allow for a more developed, vigorous, and strong root system in each plant, which will positively impact the health of the cannabis plants. Seeds will also produce noticeably larger plants with more shoots and buds, resulting in a heavier harvest.
Therefore, we conclude that planting from seed will always result in a higher yield.
Furthermore, cannabis seed banks always take care to guarantee the quality of their seeds, so that the grower does not have any problems.
One of our most productive genetics is the seed Kritikal Bilbo.
Types of pruning for marijuana plants
We have different types of pruning so that marijuana plants offer us a higher yield and an increase in production.
The purpose of pruning is to create stronger and more numerous branches, control the plant's growth, or balance its height. This will obviously affect the plant's yield, potentially increasing it.
Pruning also allows the plant to branch out and for more light to penetrate, consequently the plant will make the most of all the light possible.
There are several types of pruning to perform: apical pruning, FIM pruning, pinching off, super-cropping, lollypop pruning or lower parts, low stress training (lst) pruning, etc.
We will focus on four of them, although the most commonly used are apical pruning, FIM pruning and bending or 'pinching off' pruning.
Apical pruning
This pruning technique allows you to control the height and growth of the plant. It consists of cutting the top of the marijuana plant. This pruning should always be done during the plant's growth stage.
Technically, what happens when you cut the top bud is that the auxins (phytohormones that regulate plant growth) are distributed throughout the rest of the plant's branches, competing with each other to become the new main bud. By concentrating the auxins in the main branch tips, we increase vigor, producing more buds and a higher yield.
It is important to note that the apex cut should be made as cleanly as possible and with scissors or a knife that have been previously sterilized to avoid infections and ensure a quick recovery.
FIM pruning
FIM pruning is very similar to apical pruning and should always be done during the plant's growth stage.
This pruning technique also controls the plant's height, branching, and overall growth. The goal is to encourage the growth of main and lateral shoots without sacrificing the upper shoots, thereby increasing the cannabis plant's yield.
We must remember that the cut should be made with properly sterilized scissors or a knife to avoid infections.
Here we can see the result of an FIM pruning
Pinching off pruning‘
This pruning is very similar to apical pruning, but instead of cutting the apex or stem of the upper node of the plant, we only need to pinch it with our fingers (thumb and index finger).
This will slow down the plant's growth in height and stimulate the growth of secondary branches.
This technique can be applied to different stems of the plant, and also to secondary branches or arms if they grow beyond the main stem. This pruning should be done during the growth stage or in the early stages of flowering.
We will obtain a plant structure very similar to apical pruning, gaining in shoots without giving up the top shoot and therefore a greater production of buds and a high yield of the plant.
'Super-cropping' pruning‘
'Super-cropping' or super-cultivation, as its name indicates, is also to increase the production and yield of our marijuana plants.
It consists of bending the branches without breaking them, in this way we stimulate the growth of the buds in the lower parts of the branch and make better use of the light due to the bending.
This technique can be performed both in the growth stage and in the flowering stage, except at the end of the flowering stage when the buds are already of a considerable size.
Fertilizers for growing your marijuana plants
There are several types of nutrients, stimulants and enhancers for marijuana plants and to get a higher yield from them.
There are growers who ask why we need to give plants so much fertilizer, and the explanation is very simple: we simply need to give the plant what it needs at each stage of its growth for optimal development.
Obviously, adding more fertilizer or stimulants to plants won't make them grow much faster; we need to give them exactly what they need, no more and no less. Otherwise, we risk over-fertilized plants that won't develop properly, and we'll alter their flavor and aroma.
The amount of fertilizer needed also depends on the genetics of each plant. Not all strains respond the same way to the same fertilizer dosage. That's why nutrient manufacturers usually provide a general dosage chart for the proper development of cannabis plants.
First we will differentiate between mineral fertilizers and organic fertilizers.
The difference between them is that the absorption of nutrients from mineral fertilizers by the plant is direct and instantaneous, while organic fertilizers must first decompose before being absorbed by the roots of the plants.
Any of the types of fertilizers mentioned above are perfectly suitable for good plant development, and we should always perform a root wash at the end of the growing season.
Fertilizers can be classified into: base growth and flowering fertilizers, root stimulators, growth stimulators, flowering stimulators and enhancers.
Our range of fertilizers, stimulants and enhancers Genehtik Nutrients It is perfect for growing any type of variety.
pH adjustment in cultivation
pH is what regulates the entry of nutrients in the metabolism of plants and that is why it is an important factor to take into account for crop production.
An incorrectly adjusted pH level will result in lower yields; conversely, if the pH is optimal for the marijuana plant, we will obtain higher yields, thus increasing the overall yield of our crop.
If we grow with soil or substrate, the range of assimilation and absorption of nutrients by the roots is usually between a pH of 6.0 and 7.0.
Normally the pH when the plant is in its growth phase is usually around 6.5, while when it is in the flowering phase the pH should be increased to between 6.5 and 7.0.
In our range Genehtik Nutrients We have a Genehtik pH regulator.
Below we will detail some aspects that can help increase the production of marijuana plants in indoor grows:
Indoor crops
Optimize the conditions of the growing site
The growing area must always be kept clean, and have correct basic parameters or levels for cultivation, including temperature, humidity, airflow (extraction and ventilation) and amount of light.
It would be convenient if these levels could be adjusted when needed, since for optimal cultivation each variety requires specific levels both during growth and flowering.
It is also advisable to always adjust the pH, maintain a correct dose of fertilizer in the marijuana plants and a correct watering frequency.
Any imbalance in these levels can cause a loss of production in the crop, which is why it is important to pay attention to the levels constantly.
There are climate controllers, which, as their name suggests, automate and help control all these levels automatically.
The renewal and extraction of air from the crop
The air intake and extraction system is important because it can help us maintain the desired temperature and humidity in the growing area.
The ideal temperature range for growing marijuana is from 20º to 28º.
You must check it constantly to ensure good ventilation and air renewal in the grow room.
Humidity in the crop
The humidity of the growing site is an important factor in obtaining an abundant production.
Humidity varies depending on the stage the plant is in; higher humidity is needed in the growth phase than in the flowering phase.
We can use humidifiers to increase the humidity in the growing area, or dehumidifiers to decrease it.
The relative humidity range for optimal crop growth is from 401% to 80% (32% to 40% to 80% to 8% to 8% to 8% to 8% to 8% to 1%. Depending on the specific crop variety, certain humidity levels may be required to maximize yield.
It should be noted that fungal diseases (botrytis, powdery mildew, etc.) can appear at relative humidity levels above 701% and above. Meanwhile, at relative humidity levels below 301% and 351%, pests such as spider mites, whiteflies, etc., may appear.
Light intensity
To obtain a good yield in the crop we have to try to maximize the intensity of the light, as this will allow it to penetrate better through the foliage.
We will remember that for the growth phase a period of 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness (18/6) is recommended, while for the flowering phase it is 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (12/12).
Light during the flowering phase is important because it fuels the photosynthesis reaction that produces sugar for bud growth, while darkness allows for the production and release of florigen, the flowering hormone, without which cannabis plants simply will not flower.
There are different types of lamps with varying wattages (from 250W to 1000W), the most common being 600W high-pressure sodium lamps. However, there is some debate about whether 600W or 1000W lamps are better. It is always advisable to use lamps of 400W or higher to achieve a more abundant harvest.
It's important to keep in mind that higher light wattages can affect factors like temperature, and we'll need to monitor them. We also need to consider the energy consumption of the lamps; the higher the wattage, the greater the consumption. However, nowadays there are many types of lamps that are increasingly optimized for energy efficiency. A clear example is high-quality, intensive LED lighting systems.
Recommended distances
Another very important aspect is the distance between the lights and the plants. If this distance is correct, the upper buds will be heavier, and the light will also penetrate to the lower parts of the plants, promoting better bud development. This will result in a better crop yield. If the distance is too great, the plants will be leggy, and if it's too short, the tips of the plants may burn.
Recommended distance of the lamps according to the power and distance/lux ratio.
- 600W – 50-60 cm – 92.0000 lux
- 400W – 40 cm – 62,000 lux
- 250W – 25 cm – 32,000 lux
We also need a good reflector so that the light reaches the entire crop.
Lux (a measure of illuminance) can be measured with a device called a lux meter.
This can help us always maintain the correct distance at all times as the plants gain height.
(SOG) cultivation technique
The SOG (Sea Of Green) cultivation technique is the most widely used to obtain the highest crop production.
They are also usually switched to the flowering phase (12/12) very quickly when they are 25-30cm tall, so that they do not gain too much height.
