Small tent growers: Yield? or Variety?

[laddyd]

I try to run 4 strains at a time in my 3 x 3. I use 4 gallon SIP pots. The goal is to veg them under 28 days so I get 4 medium sized plants 3 times a year. I rarely run the same strain twice in a row, variety is the spice of life.

 

[VaSmile]

Typically more smaller plants will produce more flower then fewer larger plants faster in the same space constraints.

I would put them in 2 or 3 gal pots and if all 6 are F flip them as soon as they mature. For every male you cull up your pot size a gal or 2 and add 5-12 days veg time to fill out the open space

 

[Delps8]

3 X 3 tent

2 new (to me) strains -regular, photoperiod seeds

I'm popping 3 seeds of each strain in order to up the % that I will get at least 1 female plant out of 6. I know it's likely that I will at least 1, but you know how Murphy's Law works. If I end up with all 6 being females, then I'm going to quickly get myself into trouble with space. So, I'm thinking of using 2-gallon containers for the 6 plants in order to avoid potential overcrowding. Of course, this will decrease the potential for higher yields, but gives me more potential for unique phenotypes. I'm hoping that with the proper fertigation, the plants will still yield a decent amount. I've seen people who have used small containers and ended up with some pretty impressively-sized plants relative to the container size.

I guess I'm going to go for it, but I'd like to hear from others who have been in the same situation and get their feedback, too. Thanks

My Grow It on You Tube did a video "Why I grow small plants" (or somesuch). By growing smaller plants, you can get more crops/year. I found his arguments compelling.

In terms of maximizing yield, from my signature block:

"Growers lose more yield from their crop by not giving their plants enough light than they do by giving their plants too much light."

"Aside from CO2, once the inputs to the grow environment have reached the 'sufficiency' level, light is the only input you can add that will increase crop yield."

If you want to maximize yield, get things "within normal limits", buy a light meter, and get your grow to its light saturation point ASAP. Cannabis is a prodigious yielder when given lotsa light.

 

[tstick]

My Grow It on You Tube did a video "Why I grow small plants" (or somesuch). By growing smaller plants, you can get more crops/year. I found his arguments compelling.

In terms of maximizing yield, from my signature block:

"Growers lose more yield from their crop by not giving their plants enough light than they do by giving their plants too much light."

"Aside from CO2, once the inputs to the grow environment have reached the 'sufficiency' level, light is the only input you can add that will increase crop yield."

If you want to maximize yield, get things "within normal limits", buy a light meter, and get your grow to its light saturation point ASAP. Cannabis is a prodigious yielder when given lotsa light.

Yep I saw that video! I kinda like that show.

I'll say that I just finished a run of Tuna Kush F2 from Hazeman......I went for it because it was described to be a moderate yielding plant with small, dense buds. But, what I ended up with were HUGE plants with big, donkey dick colas that were leafy and hard as heck to trim. The scent was described to be really pungent and skunky, etc. In fact, the flowers were lightly floral and somewhat gassy, but nothing special at all. So, now I have nearly 2 pounds of mediocre flower. Did my ability to grow make the plants yield way more than the way they were described? Or, was it just that the seed sellers will say anything they want to say regardless of the outcome?

On an earlier occasion, I took a chance (again with Hazeman) on what was advertised a
Drawoh's Chocolate Thai F5. I grew up in the 60's and 70's and I know what Thai weed is. What I got from Hazeman turned out to be something just this side of hemp. It was some of the worst weed I've ever smoked. Of course, it didn't grow like Thai weed. It didn't smell like Thai weed....because it wasn't Thai weed. Who knows what it was?

On the brighter side, I luckily also grew some Triangle Kush (from Mass Medical Strains) along with the Tuna Kush and the Triangle Kush is superb! -smaller, tighter buds with a great smell and flavor -kinda spicy....hard to describe, but really nice. So, it wasn't a total loss this run, but I'll NEVER buy anything from Hazeman again. Two strike and yer out!

I always look for descriptions of plants that are NOT described as good yielders. I look for plants that are low yielders because I know that those are likely the types of plants that exist for some reason, other than yield. But, in a mindset based on industrial standards, they always select for high yields for obvious business reasons.

In my experience, it's always about growing a variety of small plants. You stand a better chance of getting something special. But, if the seed sellers aren't true to the descriptions, then anything can happen. It takes time to find the reputable people. And, I also find that you get what you pay for. Hazeman has been nothing but a ripoff for me. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Delps8]

Yep I saw that video! I kinda like that show.

Same here. I'm a "data person" so I appreciate reading research but Mr Grow It does a good job of explaining topics in very digestible chunks.

I'll say that I just finished a run of Tuna Kush F2 from Hazeman......I went for it because it was described to be a moderate yielding plant with small, dense buds. But, what I ended up with were HUGE plants with big, donkey dick colas that were leafy and hard as heck to trim. The scent was described to be really pungent and skunky, etc. In fact, the flowers were lightly floral and somewhat gassy, but nothing special at all. So, now I have nearly 2 pounds of mediocre flower. Did my ability to grow make the plants yield way more than the way they were described? Or, was it just that the seed sellers will say anything they want to say regardless of the outcome?

I have no doubt it was due to your incredible knowledge and expertise!

Re. hard to trim - A bowl trimmer was the answer for me. I grow (usually) one plant in my hydro set up (2' x 4' tent) and I end up with at least a pound per grow. I did hand trimming at first but never again. For my last chop, it took about an hour to buck and trim 17 ounces. I'm more than happy to spend $100± to save multiple hours of pain inducing labor every grow.

Re. "donkey dick" - are you a hydro grower? I end up with very large plants, long grow times (120 days), and large colas. I think it's largely the result of having a large res (it holds 28 gallons of nutes) and using lots of light (average >1000µmol starting at day 30).

"seed sellers vendors will say anything" - fixed it for ya.

On an earlier occasion, I took a chance (again with Hazeman) on what was advertised a
Drawoh's Chocolate Thai F5. I grew up in the 60's and 70's and I know what Thai weed is. What I got from Hazeman turned out to be something just this side of hemp. It was some of the worst weed I've ever smoked. Of course, it didn't grow like Thai weed. It didn't smell like Thai weed....because it wasn't Thai weed. Who knows what it was?

On the brighter side, I luckily also grew some Triangle Kush (from Mass Medical Strains) along with the Tuna Kush and the Triangle Kush is superb! -smaller, tighter buds with a great smell and flavor -kinda spicy....hard to describe, but really nice. So, it wasn't a total loss this run, but I'll NEVER buy anything from Hazeman again. Two strike and yer out!

Good of you to pass along that info about Hazeman. It must have been pretty disappointing. I've used only a handful of vendors (four years) and have only struck out once.

I always look for descriptions of plants that are NOT described as good yielders. I look for plants that are low yielders because I know that those are likely the types of plants that exist for some reason, other than yield. But, in a mindset based on industrial standards, they always select for high yields for obvious business reasons.

Excellent idea! My last grow was Gorilla Glue and everything turned out great. My next grow won't be until this Fall but I'll definitely look at vendor sites from that perspective.

In my experience, it's always about growing a variety of small plants. You stand a better chance of getting something special. But, if the seed sellers aren't true to the descriptions, then anything can happen. It takes time to find the reputable people. And, I also find that you get what you pay for. Hazeman has been nothing but a ripoff for me. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Boatguy]

I havent tried a whole lot of top tier breeders or maybe just my luck. I dont get a good ratio of keepers. Mothers and clones is just the way for me. The new strains I popped sucked. I got a new tent one bean at a time hunt. New tent for a grafted 3x3 mother. 12 plant limit.

I went bean shopping though on review based decisions. I learned a new pheno could yield much less hash. I lost that tent to seeded weed only good for giving away to smoke. Seeded weed makes nasty flower rosin.

High hopes I got some dank beans even saw them on a live theyre so popular. Im a sucker for that instagram bud I want that frost monster.

I have had very good luck with akbb. Very consistent plants.
If you want a guaranteed frost monster, a clone is obviously one and done.
Some of the best i have smoked was more oily than frosty though.. Showy sells, dank is dank

 

[conor c]

Yep I saw that video! I kinda like that show.

I'll say that I just finished a run of Tuna Kush F2 from Hazeman......I went for it because it was described to be a moderate yielding plant with small, dense buds. But, what I ended up with were HUGE plants with big, donkey dick colas that were leafy and hard as heck to trim. The scent was described to be really pungent and skunky, etc. In fact, the flowers were lightly floral and somewhat gassy, but nothing special at all. So, now I have nearly 2 pounds of mediocre flower. Did my ability to grow make the plants yield way more than the way they were described? Or, was it just that the seed sellers will say anything they want to say regardless of the outcome?

On an earlier occasion, I took a chance (again with Hazeman) on what was advertised a
Drawoh's Chocolate Thai F5. I grew up in the 60's and 70's and I know what Thai weed is. What I got from Hazeman turned out to be something just this side of hemp. It was some of the worst weed I've ever smoked. Of course, it didn't grow like Thai weed. It didn't smell like Thai weed....because it wasn't Thai weed. Who knows what it was?

On the brighter side, I luckily also grew some Triangle Kush (from Mass Medical Strains) along with the Tuna Kush and the Triangle Kush is superb! -smaller, tighter buds with a great smell and flavor -kinda spicy....hard to describe, but really nice. So, it wasn't a total loss this run, but I'll NEVER buy anything from Hazeman again. Two strike and yer out!

I always look for descriptions of plants that are NOT described as good yielders. I look for plants that are low yielders because I know that those are likely the types of plants that exist for some reason, other than yield. But, in a mindset based on industrial standards, they always select for high yields for obvious business reasons.

In my experience, it's always about growing a variety of small plants. You stand a better chance of getting something special. But, if the seed sellers aren't true to the descriptions, then anything can happen. It takes time to find the reputable people. And, I also find that you get what you pay for. Hazeman has been nothing but a ripoff for me. Your mileage may vary.

Yeah what it costs mean nothing it's down to who makes them and do they care about what they put out in the end cos price and quality doesn't always correlate with cannabis in my experience anyway bud

 

[conor c]

I have had very good luck with akbb. Very consistent plants.
If you want a guaranteed frost monster, a clone is obviously one and done.
Some of the best i have smoked was more oily than frosty though.. Showy sells, dank is dank

You talking like more greasy trichs like the kind that sticks to a bag like hell Vs easy to separate type heads? I will say that was more common back in the day I ain't seen much new stuff that's this way