Most of us by now have seen the Solo Cup Grow Challenge, so I am aware that a plant can Grow in smaller environments. This brought me to my next pondering. Can a pot size be too large for the grow space and lighting? This past harvest I have six 5 gallon pots In a 2X4 Tent. As far as yields go it was more than anticipated but still felt it could have been better. I was growing in COCO but still feel as if the excess coco and nutrients were not being utilized. Even if I was watering accurately. I Would also like to say that it seemed as the excess growth was primarily sucker branches. So it is hard to decipher if it the excess dirt was worth the space. I’m open to any thoughts on the matter.
I definitely think the bigger the pot the more yield. There is a point of diminishing return I’m sure but the more roots to reciprocate the canopy growth would ensure the plant can grow with out getting root bound and slowing down. Larger pots also allows the media to no dry out as much and keeps the root tips from dying when it dries out allowing for continuous nutrient uptake.
I would choose my container size depending on how long I vege and water frequenzy. I personally at the Moment have a 5×5 tent with 10x 4 gallon pods with coco/perlite 70/30% veged for 5 weeks. I handwater every day but I could do it also every two to 3 days, but the salt build up caused of the dryback gets high so u have to make sure your feeding ec is not so high the next time or u just water more until u rech the rigjt run off ec! If i would have an automated feeding system I would definetly max. use 3 gallom pods maybe 2 gallon ! I mean think of a plant outside in the soil it has as much space as it needs it, but does it really need it in the end probably not, so I don’t see any benefit in using to big pods other than u wouldnt have to water that often! I always check how the pros are doing it and get my Inspiration from there! 💚💨🙏🏻✌🏻
Pot size for coco/hydroponics vs soil differ. The only reason to use larger pots with coco in a hydro system is to not have to water as frequently. You’ll have more control with 3gl pots, but 5gl isn’t too bad. I just finished in 7s and never again. I’m sticking to 3gls.
In soil, nothing beats the buffering capacity of large volume of media.
If the plant has the time to fill in the media than the larger pot size is beneficial for yield. There is a trade off when you grow for yield only though. Studies have been revealing that larger plants are less potent than smaller ones.
The size of your pot should be a function of your watering style and watering time budget. Your choice of media also factors into this decision. If you are growing in soil, you will generally want a bigger pot to maximize your CEC and you will need to allow for dry backs and water less frequently than a coco pot of the same size or smaller.
The light is more of the yield limiting factor than pot size especially if you are in coco. I have pulled the same yield out of 5g as 7g before in coco. I’m opposite of coach Steve though it seems. I hated growing in the 5g (had to water to frequently for my taste) and I have settle into 7 gals with coco. It allows me to get by with a once a day watering if I can’t make it into the grow twice a day everyday. It’s all comes down to your preference and time commitment.
I generally trim all of the scruffy branches below and let the tops shine. Don’t let the plant waste energy on budsites that will never be worth much anyways. Training is huge when it comes to consistently in the canopy.
With watering and CO2 being on point, yield is limited by the energy being given to the grow by the light. You could have a 200 gal pot under a 100 watt light in a perfect environment and still get underwhelming yields.
As steve said above… this totally depends on your media and your grow style.
With a media like coco where you are feeding liquid nutes, going really big with your pot will probably just end up being a waste of resources. When the plants are being fed regularly with a liquid food, pot size becomes a lot less important. Going too big can also lead to issues like overwatering too. It becomes pretty difficult to properly water a huge pot of coco, especially when the pot isnt fully rooted out yet.
On the flip side, living soil style grows do awesome with huge pots or even beds. When the soil is storing all the nutrients for the grow, more soil means more storage and more of a ph/nutrient buffer to help keep the plants happy. Big beds of living soil can usually be used for a few cycles before they even need amending.
In other words… when you are relying on the soil to feed the plants, going big is a good idea and will usually make life easier, but when you are using coco, hydro or other grow methods where the food comes from a bottle, going too big can cause you a lot of headaches and usually isnt worth it.
Planning on discussing this on the 3/24 420 Happy Hour! come join us if you want to hang out or join the conversation.
420 pm pacific time on the DGC discord, and released later as a recording for the patrons.