Many growers wonder how much marijuana one plant can produce. The short answer is “somewhere between one gram and one pound.” But that’s not very helpful, is it? Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. Every grow is different, and many factors like genetics, plant care, and conditions come into play. Here’s a quick reference with rough estimates.
The rest of this article will discuss everything there is to know about calculating marijuana yields. Plus, you’ll find some bonus tips to maximize your yield.
You will find many cannabis yield calculators online. Some are more exact than others. Because of so many factors, like genetics, light, indoor or outdoor conditions, and plant care, I prefer to stick to estimations.
Years of growing cannabis have led to me doubling the outcomes of my grow over time! So I can tell you how much to expect as a new grower as well as the optimal results possible.
Growing chunky, high-yielding cannabis plants indoors requires balancing patience during the vegetative stage with timely flowering triggers While many factors influence yields, allowing adequate veg time enables plants to develop the robust structure necessary for heavy harvests But what’s the optimal vegetative duration for yields of 8+ ounces per plant?
Understanding the Vegetative Stage
The vegetative or “veg” stage starts after seed germination or clone rooting. During veg plants focus on leaf stem and root growth under 18-24 hours of daily light. This continuous brightness signals plants to expand rapidly upwards and outwards rather than directing energy into bud production.
A month or more of vigorous vegetative growth results in plants with:
- Large, established root systems to support flowering
- Numerous leaf nodes primed to become flower sites
- Desired height and fullness based on space and training methods
The longer plants vegetate the bigger they get, increasing yield potential. But there’s a point of diminishing returns. Excessive veg risks outgrowing your space while too little limits yields. Finding the veg sweet spot takes trial and error.
Factors Impacting Needed Veg Time
The ideal veg duration for 8+ ounce yields varies based on:
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Genetics: Some strains grow larger and faster than others. Indicas usually need less veg time than lankier sativas. Autoflowers have a fixed veg period.
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Space: Small grow tents need less veg time than a spacious grow room. Match veg length to your footprint.
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Container Size: Plants grow faster with more robust root systems in bigger pots, supporting heavier flowering.
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Training Method: Untrained plants require more veg time to fill out than trained plants with more bud sites. Training slows growth slightly.
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Lighting: Intense lighting fuels faster growth and greater size potential versus weaker lighting.
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Medium: Soilless mediums like coco coir give faster growth and less needed veg time than soil.
Guideline Veg Times for 8 Ounce Plants
Here are general veg timeframes for achieving 8+ ounce yields per plant when growing in soil under HID or quality LED lighting:
- Untrained plants: 4-6 weeks
- Topped/fimmed plants: 6-8 weeks
- LST or SCROG trained plants: 8-10 weeks
Your strain’s traits and other variables can shift these timeframes. Use them as a starting point and adjust based on your plants’ actual development.
Signs Plants Are Ready for Flowering
Rather than a fixed veg time, judge readiness for flowering by plants’ physical signs:
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Height: Reached desired height accounting for stretch. For many strains, 16-24 inches pre-flower is ideal.
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Canopy Width: Untrained plants filled out the entire grow area. Trained plants have a developed canopy.
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Bushiness: Plants look vigorous, stocky and well-branched with lush foliage and dense nodes.
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Root Development: Plants are rootbound when roots fully occupy the container.
Example 8 Week Veg Timeline
Here’s a hypothetical 8 week veg timeline using photos of plants yielding 8+ ounces in soil:
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Week 1: Let clones establish and start vigorous growth.
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Weeks 2-3: Growth accelerates, start training. Transplant if needed.
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Weeks 4-5: Noticeable size and width, side branching continues.
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Weeks 6-8: Achieved desired height and filled canopy. Ready to trigger flowering.
This provides a rough guide. Gauge your plants’ pace and signals to determine optimal veg length.
Tips for Maximizing Veg Growth
Here are tips to optimize vegetative growth for chunky, robust plants:
- Start with vigorous feminized seeds or clones from reputable sources
- Use smart pots to encourage air pruning of roots
- Employ training techniques like topping, LST, fimming, etc.
- Maintain ideal temps of 68-80°F during veg
- Keep humidity around 65-70% in vegetative stage
- Provide plenty of airflow and circulation
- Water when top inch of soil dries. Flush salts every 2-3 weeks.
- Use an appropriate vegetative fertilizer regimen. Avoid excess nitrogen in late veg.
- Monitor for pests/diseases and address issues immediately
- Switch smoothly to 12/12 when plants are primed for flowering
Being Flexible Within Your Veg Window
Keep in mind these are general guidelines depending on your circumstances. Stay flexible and reactive.
If plants seem small or straggly after 4-5 weeks, extend veg time for more bulk. If they’re stretching too fast, consider an earlier flowering trigger to limit height. Dial in veg times across grows to pinpoint the sweet spot for your setup and strains.
By balancing patience in veg with timely flowering transitions, you can maximize yield potential in the 8+ ounce per plant range. Avoid cutting the vegetative stage short – allow enough time to build the foundation for impressive harvests!
FAQ
Does longer veg time increase yield?
Yes, the longer the vegetative stage, the larger plants get, resulting in bigger yields from plants vegged longer.
How long should I veg for best indoor yield?
Most indoor growers vegetate plants for 4 to 8 weeks, including the 10-14 days after planting seeds/clones. It’s a range that works for most setups.
How many ounces per plant can you get?
Under ideal outdoor conditions, yields can reach 500 grams or 17.5 ounces per plant with adequate space, container size, water and nutrients.
How long to veg clones before flipping to flower?
Clones can be flipped immediately, but for optimal yields, wait until the clone has a strong root system, typically 2-3 weeks old.
How many plants can you legally grow per person?
For personal use, guidelines generally recommend growing 4 to 8 plants per person, spacing them 1 to 3 inches apart or in rows 2 to 3 feet apart for adequate yields.
How long do vegetables take to grow?
Most garden vegetables take 70-120 days from planting to harvest. Avoid pulling them earlier, as flavor and texture benefit from full maturation.
How far apart should plants be spaced?
Ideal spacing depends on the plant, but guidelines recommend spacing most vegetables 18-30 inches apart in rows spaced 2-3 feet apart for adequate growth and yields.
How far apart should onion plants be spaced?
Onions grow best spaced 3-4 inches apart equidistantly or in rows spaced 20-30 inches apart. Shallots can be spaced 5-8 inches apart in rows 2-4 feet apart.
How to yield more cannabis outdoors
Perfect conditions to maximize outdoor yield means:
How much can a single plant yield outdoor
Growing outdoors in good soil, the right climate, and with great genetics can produce plants with desired yields between 600 and 750 grams (21-26 oz). That’s not the case for most growers though. Most growers aren’t growing professionally tended monster plants. The majority of growers with the right factors can see outdoor marijuana yields of 300-500 grams (10-17 oz) per plant.