Grow Q&A: Bigger Yields Indoors

Dear Dan, I’ve heard you say on your podcast that it’s possible to yield ¼-lb. organic or 1-lb. hydro per plant in 5-gallon buckets. What amount of light would be required and would I want to veg in the 5-gallon pot or transplant to 5-gallons for flower?

Dear D.,
The amount of light I recommend in order to harvest the most per plant would be a 1000-watt HPS (High-Pressure Sodium) or MH (Metal Halide) light. These HID (High-Intensity Discharge) bulbs are the most powerful commercially available grow lights on the market.

My recommendation is to vegetate the plant for at least 4 weeks in the 5-gallon container you plan to flower it in. This will build up the largest root system without the plant suffering from transplant shock (which can stunt growth for up to a week or more). Keep in mind that plants grown in large containers (5-gallon’s are the smallest I would recommend) will grow tall and bushy so you must have enough vertical and horizontal space to accommodate them.

Have a grow question? Ask away at deardanko@hightimes.com