How Much Weed Can You Get from One Plant?

How much weed does one plant yield? The answer to this question is dependent on three main variables, such as the grower’s depth of experience. Secondly, cannabis exists in a variety of strains and each has its characteristics. Thirdly,  yields will vary based on indoor or outdoor cultivation. Below are a few guidelines to help you maximize yields from your cannabis plants.

How Do You Estimate The Yield of One Weed Plant?

Cannabis growers consider yield as the dry weight of harvested buds since the finished product loses 70-75% of moisture after chopping down the plants. Yields can vary based on the following environments;

Average Yield Per Indoor Cannabis Plant Grown In Soil

Indoor marijuana growers usually aim for one gram per watt of light. Assume that a grower has two plants flowering inside the grow tent containing a 600-watt LED panel. The expected return, granted that the cultivator did everything perfectly, is 600 grams per plant, totaling 1,200 grams in dry yield. As mentioned previously, cannabis yield is measured after the buds leave the drying room.

Average Yield Per Outdoor Cannabis Plant Grown In Soil

Outdoor marijuana farmers determine yields by calculating grams produced per plant, and the desired range is 600-750 grams. This requires cultivating larger plants compared to indoor breeding plus it depends on consistent sunlight and favorable weather conditions.

Average Hydroponic Yield Per Marijuana Plant

Hydroponic farming makes it easier for the roots to absorb nutrients through the water rather than penetrating deep into the soil. This method is believed to increase yields by 40-50% more than growing indoor cannabis with soil. Growers who prefer this method of production, however, need experience in operating and maintaining hydroponics systems.

7 Factors That Determine a Marijuana Plant’s Yield

1. Type of Strain

Cannabis breeders usually create new strains to achieve specific objectives. Hash makers, for instance, cultivate indica strains that are highly resinous and loaded with THC. This means that the focus leans more toward quality than on quantity.

Some growers don’t mind experimenting with landrace varieties found on different continents. The yields, however, depend on the plant’s ability to adapt to foreign climates.

2. Light

A cannabis plant requires sufficient light for photosynthesis and developing strong branches to support the blooming buds. Photoperiod plants that are in the final stages of vegetation require a strict 12-hour light cycle to trigger flowering. Photosynthesis helps flowering marijuana plants to convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into energy useful for growing bigger buds.

Insufficient light especially during the vegetative state drastically impedes the crops’ rate of growth. This means that the plants will take longer to transition to flowering and the yields will fall below expectations.

3. Growth Duration

It takes about 16-20 weeks for an indoor cannabis plant to reach maturity for the producer to harvest. Experienced growers sometimes use a trick known as light deprivation to force the plant into the flowering stage. This method reduces the time spent in the vegetative state by two to three weeks and it doesn’t impede the production of buds.

Impatience, however, is a farmer’s biggest enemy because it leads to premature harvests. This happens commonly around the end of September and early October when outdoor farmers are gearing up for harvesting. A few growers who started late in the season tend to feel left out and end up harvesting underdeveloped yields.

4. Amount & Type of Soil

Cannabis plants thrive in soil that has a neutral pH because nutrients such as Iron, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous are readily available. These nutrients play an important role in the formation of strong branches, stems, and healthy leaves. It’s crucial to have a pH meter and soil test kit before germinating your cannabis seeds.

A marijuana plant cannot produce a good yield when planted in shallow soil, because the roots cannot absorb sufficient nutrients when confined in a small grow pot. Large pots allow the roots to stretch out and maximize their surface area for oxygen and nutrient absorption.

5. Climate

Sativa strains thrive in warm and moderately humid environments and that’s why they tend to have thin leaves to reduce transpiration. Indica varieties prefer cool weather and that’s why they tend to thrive in the northern hemisphere compared to pure sativa breeds. This knowledge is essential when purchasing clones or seeds because it helps growers to provide the best humidity and temperature inside the grow tents.

6. Size Of Grow Area

A large grow area allows maximum light penetration, making it easier for marijuana plants to carry out photosynthesis. Good airflow prevents the accumulation of humidity between the foliage where powdery mildew can occur. The grower also benefits because they have enough space to implement a Screen of Green (SCROG) and maximize yields.

Confined grow areas affect the plant’s ability to yield since leaves positioned in the middle and near the stem receive insufficient light to carry out photosynthesis. Powdery mildew attacks are more likely to occur due to humidity problems caused by poor airflow.

7. Wet vs Dry Yield

Cannabis end-users and product manufacturers prefer using dry yield for making edibles, pre-rolls, or solventless concentrates. Dried buds develop stronger potency and taste better due to the reduction in chlorophyll that happens during the drying stage. Wet yield, on the other hand, is prone to degradation from powdery mildew infestations.

How Can I Maximize Yield for One Weed Plant?

1. Adequate Preparation

Learn about the strain by contacting the clone/seed provider, preferably in person or via video calls. Interacting with farmers who’ve successfully grown the variety is a sure way of getting reliable grow journals.  In addition, purchase your ideal growing medium whether it’s hydroponics or sterilized soil on time.

2. Ideal Temperature & Humidity

Good inlet and outlet fans provide consistent airflow and help in regulating room temperature. This is crucial during summertime to avoid crops from drying out. Seasoned growers use a humidifier and dehumidifier to maintain humidity within 40-50%.

3. Enough Lighting

Skilled marijuana growers recommend setting LED lights at 400-600 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) for plants in a vegetative state to maximize the growth of branches and bud sites.

Flowering plants grow rich under 600-900 ppfd.

4. pH and Nutrients

Feeding the right type of nutrients promptly is crucial to maximizing yields from a cannabis plant. It’s wrong to assume that a flowering plant will benefit from veg nutrients rather than bloom supplements. Furthermore, remember to use a pipette to correctly measure out liquid fertilizer.

5. Trimming and Pruning

Maintaining an even canopy ensures maximum absorption of light on all the bud sites. Getting rid of unnecessary branches helps the marijuana plant to redirect energy and nutrients to bud sites for bigger and more potent yields.

6. Train your plants

Low-Stress Training (LST)  by itself increases cannabis yields by 30-40%. It enables growers to fully utilize the light by growing additional branches to increase bud sites compared to having one main cola. Lollipopping is also another free method you can use to help your plant redirect nutrients toward the canopy.

7. Hydroponics

Using air stones to oxygenate the water enables the nutrients to become more accessible for root absorption. It’s a good idea to create a chart for monitoring daily water and nutrients ppm intakes.

8. Grow Fewer Cannabis Plants At a Time for Higher Marijuana Yield

This strategy allows you to maximize yields through stress training and SCROG because your plants stretch out horizontally over a large distance. It also allows maximum light penetration and consistent airflow.

9. Re-Vegging for a Second Harvest

Re-vegging plants require small amounts of vegging nutrients and an 18-hour light cycle.

New foliage will develop after 4-6 weeks and you can apply stress training to the new branches to maximize yields.

Final Thoughts

There’s really no secret to maximizing cannabis yields from one plant except providing the right external conditions, applying stress training, and feeding on time. It’s important to nurture these growing skills before purchasing high-end growing equipment to ensure maximum returns on investment.