Maximizing Cannabis Yields With Hydroponics: Tips and Tricks

Think of your plant like a used-up toothpaste. You might think it's given you all it can, but there's always more in it. You just need to squeeze it out. So, how do you do that with your hydroponics cannabis plant? 

Whether you're a rookie grower or a seasoned green thumb, you can get the best out of your cannabis plant by optimizing your setup and using some nifty techniques to boost your plant's yields. 

But don't worry — it's not rocket science. With the right strains, nutrients, and techniques, you can turn your hydroponic setup into a high-yielding machine. And you'll learn all of that in this article. So, let's dive into the best tricks to boost your cannabis yield. 

What is Meant by Cannabis Yield, Anyway? 

Before we get into the whole thing, let's go over the basics first — what is cannabis yield or crop yield exactly? You must've heard the term already (which is why you are here)! 

Simply put, yield is the amount of plant material you harvest per unit of land, and when growing cannabis, this refers to the amount of flowers you get at the end. You may grow a massive plant but if you only get 50 grams of buds, you didn't exactly get a good yield.

Usually, this yield is measured per season or year and in kilograms or hectares. But, you're more likely to measure cannabis yield in grams per plant or grams per square foot, especially if you're growing indoors. 

However, why does yield even matter? Well, the bigger the yield, the more you get from your plants — without having to invest extra time, space, or effort. It's about maximizing it, and it's actually easier than you think. 

Can You Boost Your Plant's Yield? 

Every grower wants bigger yields, and getting there isn't as difficult as you'd think. Yes, some methods of increasing the yield do take some serious effort, but other methods are pretty straightforward. 

And once you get a hang of it, even the most challenging tricks become second nature. The key here, which you must remember, is to keep your cannabis plant happy and healthy.

So, your focus should be on taking care of your plants — a well-cared plant naturally produces better yields. This means providing the right nutrients, maintaining optimal lighting, and ensuring proper airflow to prevent mold or pests. 

Even minor adjustments, like tweaking your watering schedule, can make a huge difference in how your plants grow.

And if you've been doing this for a while, it might be time to push the boundaries of yourself as well as your plant. Experimenting with training techniques, fine-tuning your nutrient mix, or even adjusting environmental factors like temperature and humidity can help you maximize your harvest. 

In this article, we'll break down both simple and difficult techniques to help you get the most out of your plant.

Tip 1: Pick the Right Strains 

You might be growing cannabis in a NASA-approved aeroponics setup, but your plants will only ever be as good as the seeds you start with. This is why picking the right strain is just as important as setting up your hydroponic system properly. 

You can find various cannabis seeds at a seed bank, but with so many options, picking the best strain for your hydroponics can feel overwhelming. It doesn't have to be. 

When looking for seeds, you'll come across three main types: regular, feminized, and autoflowers. Regular seeds have a 50/50 chance of being male or female, and since only female plants produce buds, feminized plants are the way to grow. 

On the other hand, avoid autoflowering strains if you're aiming for maximum yields. These strains grow quickly but also produce a much smaller yield compared to a photoperiod strain. Plus, they cost more. 

Beyond seed type, you must also pick the right strain. Hydroponic systems are less forgiving than soil, and even small mistakes can compound into bigger problems. So, you need to pick strains that are resilient, easy to grow, and vigorous. 

Lastly, you need to pick strains that naturally produce more buds. There's no point in trying out the tips listed below if your strain is genetically not predisposed to growing massive buds. Some of the best high-yielding strains include classics like Amnesia Haze, Northern Lights, Green Gelato, Purple Punc, and Girl Scout Cookies. 

Tip 2: Pick the Right Hydroponic System 

Next up, you must pick the right hydroponic system. This isn't just a technical detail — it can make or break your grow. The wrong setup can lead to stunted plants, slow growth, or worse, no growth at all. 

Since hydroponics is all about maximizing yields, choosing the right system ensures your plants get the best possible start. Here are a few awesome hydroponic systems you can pick.

Deep Water Culture

DWC is one of the simplest and most effective methods for home growers. It works by suspending the plant's roots in oxygenated, nutrient-rich water, giving them 24/7 access to everything they need to thrive. This setup encourages rapid growth and high yields with relatively low maintenance. 

But there's a downside. There's a bit of an upfront cost, and you'll need to monitor water levels and oxygenation closely to keep things running smoothly. But if you're after a hydro system with great results, DWC is hard to beat. 

Nutrient Film Technique 

Then comes a more advanced technique: NFT. Here, a thin stream of nutrient water flows continuously over the plant roots. This method saves water, makes efficient use of space, and can lead to impressive yields. 

However, it does require a bit of technical know-how. Since the system relies on an electric pump to keep the solution moving, any failure can quickly affect plant health. If you're comfortable with a slightly more complex setup and want maximum efficiency, NFT is worth considering.

Ebb & Flow System 

Here, a grow tray is flooded with nutrient water periodically, which is then drained back into the reservoir. This ebbing and flowing cycle provides your plants with both hydration and oxygen, promoting strong, healthy growth. 

While these systems are fairly easy to maintain, they do rely on a functioning pump and timer. Choosing the right growing medium, like rockwool, is also key to ensuring the system runs efficiently. If you're looking for a balance between automation and hands-on control, you can't go wrong with this one. 

Of course, there are other high-tech systems like aeroponics and aquaponics, but those methods are specialized, expensive, and not suitable for most growers, so we've skipped them here. But if you have the mind and budget for it, they're terrific. 

Tip 3: Keep the pH Levels in Check 

One of the most important factors for a good yield is the pH level of your plant. Think of it this way: pH is the gatekeeper that determines how well your plant absorbs all the nutrients you've given it. Even the most expensive and the best nutrients are a waste if the pH is wrong and your plant can't absorb them. 

Here's the thing — each nutrient is absorbed within a specific range. For a hydroponic cannabis plant, that range is between 5.8 to 6.2. If the pH is out of this range, your plant will struggle to absorb the nutrients, leading to lower yields. 

During the vegetative stage, pH control is critical, but you can let it slide a bit here and there. Nitrogen, which your plant needs most during growing, is readily absorbed in a wide range. 

However, as you move to the flowering stage, your plant will need more phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. These nutrients require a slightly higher pH, so don't hesitate to bump the pH by a bit. However, do not cross 6.5 — that's asking for trouble. 

By maintaining proper pH levels and adjusting as needed, you'll ensure your cannabis plants receive all the nutrients they need for optimal growth and high yields.

Tip 4: Give Your Plant Some Carbon Dioxide 

Carbon dioxide is to plants what oxygen is to us — it fuels the photosynthesis process, helping convert light into energy. So, more CO2 means more energy, which translates to bigger and denser buds. 

In a typical grow room, CO2 levels are around 400 ppm, but boosting that to 1,200 ppm can increase your buds size by up to 25%! However, CO2 supplementation can be expensive and tricky, so it's worth weighing the pros and cons before jumping straight in. Hence, this one is reserved for the pros. 

Here are some ways to increase CO2 levels in your grow space:

• CO2 Generators 

The most effective method to add CO2 is using a generator, which burns propane or natural gas to produce carbon dioxide. It essentially works like a heater and releases a steady supply of CO2, making it ideal for large grow rooms.

If you opt for a CO2 generator, you'll need to adjust your environment slightly. To help your plants make full use of the extra CO2, you'll have to bump the temperature by 5 degrees and humidity by 7%. 

• Compressed CO2 Tanks 

A more controlled approach is using compressed CO2, which you can get from a hydroponics store or homebrew shops. These tanks release CO2 through emitters, giving you precise control of its flow rate. 

For most growers, this is the ideal choice. It doesn't produce extra heat, humility, or sulfur — factors that can negatively impact both the plant and you.

• Dry Ice or Compost

If you're on a budget, you can even place some dry ice or compost in your grow room. This can provide a natural CO2. 

Essentially, dry ice slowly releases CO2 as it sublimates, while composting organic materials generates CO2 over time. These methods are cheap and easy, but they lack precise control over CO₂ levels, making them less efficient than dedicated systems.

Tip 5: Prune Your Plants

There are plenty of training methods you can use on your cannabis plant, from sea of green to topping. While these methods have their merits, for the most part, pruning does the trick. 

Pruning is an awesome training method if your goal is to maximize your plant's growth and bud production. Essentially, it improves the light and air penetration within the canopy, which helps them grow better buds. 

Plus, it removes the lower branches that don't get a lot of light anyway. As a result, your plant directs more energy to the higher bud sites, allowing them to grow bigger buds. This may look like taking a step back, but you're actually taking two steps forward. 

Remember, timing is key when pruning. Prune the lower branches just before your plant enters the flowering stage. If you prune too soon, your plant may stretch excessively during the pre-flowering period. Do it too late, and your plant won't grow tall, resulting in short buds. 

For best results, prune your plants before switching to a 12/12 light cycle or within the first two weeks of flowering. This ensures that energy is focused on bud production rather than unnecessary foliage.

Remember, pruning isn't just about snipping off random parts of your plant. That's plant abuse. Instead, you need to be selective and strategic. Assess your plant's growth and remove only the lower, unproductive branches. Some plants may require more aggressive pruning, while others may need minimal intervention.

Tip 6: Pick the Right Fertilizers

Fertilizers are essential for your cannabis plant, just like a specialized diet is crucial for elite athletes. A well-fed plant grows faster, produces more buds, and develops better flavors and aromas. 

But with so many fertilizers available, how do you choose the right one?

Cannabis fertilizers fall into three main categories: first, organic fertilizers that require microbial activity to break down nutrients before plants can absorb them. They improve soil life and flavor. 

Next, mineral fertilizers provide immediate nutrient availability for quick absorption, leading to faster growth. Finally, there are organo-mineral ones, which are a mix of both, offering a balance between speed and quality. 

If you want to focus on taste and terpene development, you should use organic nutrients. However, mineral ones can also produce high-quality buds if you know how to use them properly and flush your plant before harvest. 

Here are some great fertilizers and additives you can consider using to boost your plant's bud development:

• Base Fertilizer

Use these during the growth and flowering stages of your plant. This is essentially the fundamental nutrient mix your plant needs during its life cycle. This can either be a single-bottle solution or an A+B formula that requires mixing. 

• Root Stimulators 

These boost root growth and increase nutrient absorption, which leads to healthier and more productive plants. 

• Growth Stimulators

These additives encourage better vegetative growth since they contain a lot of nitrogen. As a result, your plant gets bigger and produces more bud sites. However, be careful not to overfeed your plant with these — it can lead to nitrogen toxicity. 

• Bloom Stimulators

Similarly, bloom stimulators contain amino acids, auxins, and hormones that help your plant produce bigger and better flowers. Pick these, it's worth it. 

• Enhancers

Enhancers are high-concentration nutrients designed to maximize vegetative growth or flowering potential.

• Other Additives 

This includes microbial life, micronutrients, amino acids, and hormones to fine-tune plant development.

Keep the Air Flowing

Airflow plays a very important role in helping your plant produce dense, resinous buds. Since cannabis naturally relies on wind for pollination, proper ventilation helps direct energy to the budding sites with the most light and airflow, leading to bigger yields. 

When growing cannabis hydroponically, your goal should be to replicate outdoor airflow using a ventilation system. The best way to maintain a steady airflow is by installing an air exchange system with intake vents near the floor and exhaust vents near the ceiling. 

When picking the fans, check their CFM ratings — they should match your grow room's size. 

On the other hand, if you're on a budget, you can consider using oscillating fans. These keep the air moving around the canopy, which can work like a proper ventilation system, just not as effectively. You need to place these in a way so they create a gentle breeze without drying out the plants. 

Tip 7: Automate Mundane Tasks 

Hydroponic systems are highly capable and have come a long way, but they are not so forgiving — small mistakes can lead to big mishaps. 

So, it's best to avoid any chances of mistakes on your hands. Even if you may care about your plant as much as your cat, you're not immune to mistakes. Sometimes, life gets in the way; you may miss your alarm, get stuck in traffic, or take a nap at the wrong time. 

The best way to beat this is by automating your system. Instead of simply adding timers and alarms for tasks like feeding your plant or turning off the lights, automate those things. 

Today, tech has come a long way, and you don't need to invest in a full-fledged IoT system to automate these tasks. Instead, all you need to do is buy smart devices, like fans, grow lights, pumps, air stones, etc., that can connect to your smartphone and work on automation. 

It doesn't have to stop there, though. If you have the dough, you can invest in proper smart hydroponics automatic setups, which can go as far as measuring and adjusting the pH of the nutrient solution! Yes, they'll be expensive, but if you live a busy life and want the best for your plant, you can't go wrong with them. 

Remember, the goal is to automate repetitive tasks. This reduces your manual labor, so you can focus on other tasks, like training your plant, pest control, and general maintenance. Plus, it helps improve efficiency in your garden while reducing errors. 

Tip 8: Get Your Grow Lights Right 

Light is just as important as water and nutrients when growing hydroponic cannabis. The right lighting setup ensures optimal growth at every stage of your plant, helping you maximize yields and bud quality.

Each phase of your plant's growth requires different light conditions. So, you need to keep these tips in mind:

• Seedlings need gentle light while flowering plants require stronger intensity
• Young plants thrive on 18 to 24 hours of light while flowering plants require a strict 12-hour light cycle 
• Blue light promotes vegetative growth, while red light encourages flowering and bud production

Proper light management is key to getting the most out of your hydroponic growth. In addition, understanding and adjusting light cycles throughout different growth stages will ensure healthier plants and bigger yields.

But you can take this a step further, too. For instance, you can install UV lights in your garden, which can help your plants grow bigger and better. 

Additionally, you must bring light pollution or leaks during the dark hours to zero as they can disturb your cannabis plant and affect its growth. Worst case scenario, your plant may end up turning into a hermaphrodite! 

Lighting for cannabis plants is a vast subject, but you need to focus the most on the intensity. 

Importance of Light Intensity

In simple terms, it refers to the light energy that reaches your plants. It also encourages photosynthesis and plant growth so consider it a VIP in the world of artificial lights. 

Cannabis plants need a significant amount of light, whether they are in the vegetative or flowering stage. Low light causes weak and leggy plants so it's important that you get powerful lights. 

You can have a great setup with top-notch equipment but it's pretty much useless if your grow light isn't intense enough. However, again, don't overdo it with the intensity as it can cause light burn or stress usually when you place the lights too close to the plants. The buds may turn white and look bleached while the leaves will take on a scorched appearance. 

To prevent your plants from suffering from light burn, increase the distance between the plants and the lights. Strong LED lights don't produce much heat, but they give off a lot of light, so check out a few LEDs while shopping.

Ideal Light Intensity

Cannabis plants often measure light intensity in micromoles per square meter per second (µmol/m²/s). During the vegetative phase, plants grow well under a light intensity of 400-600 µmol/m²/s, while flowering requires at least 800-1000 µmol/m²/s.

As a plant grows, you need to change the light intensity it gets. Young seedlings and early vegetative plants do not require high light. While flowering plants, on the other hand, require more intense light to fully form buds.

Light penetration

Another important factor when it comes to light is light penetration as you need to make sure that all the plants have equal access to the light and that the light doesn't get blocked when they grow tall. The more the light reaches the lower branches of the plant, the better the canopy penetration. 

But, if the light does not reach past the top leaves, the lower parts of your plant will not receive sufficient light. This will hinder the bud development on the lower canopy, which ultimately leads to a lower yield. 

Impact of Dense Canopies

As cannabis plants grow, especially indicas and some hybrids, they create dense canopies (branches). If the canopy isn't penetrated properly, the lower branches will get little to no light and the plant will produce too many popcorn buds. 

To ensure that all parts of the plants get enough light, place your lights properly. LED lights ought to be put directly above the canopy at a distance that ensures equal intensity across the plant. If you are using HID lights, you may need to raise the light a little higher to avoid light burn.

In addition, training your plants to establish an even canopy will help them receive more light. Methods like LST and super cropping can help spread the branches of your plant and ensure that it gets as much exposure to light as possible.

You can also use a technique called Screen of Green (ScrOG) that will have your plant grow horizontally, getting wider and flatter with the use of a mesh screen. This arrangement lets light reach the lower parts of the plant, resulting in more equal bud growth.

When you pull off excess leaves, especially the bottom ones, it helps light reach more branches, improving penetration. But don't overdo it, as leaves are important for photosynthesis.

Tip 9: Provide more Oxygen

Cannabis roots require oxygen to be healthy in a hydroponic system. They need oxygen for cellular respiration, which uses sugar to create energy for growth. So, as you can surmise, a lack of oxygen can be problematic as the plants will grow slowly and also have weak roots. And, as if that's not enough, low oxygen can promote anaerobic bacteria that cause diseases like root rot.

To maximize cannabis growth, DO or dissolved oxygen is crucial for the plant's roots. As the name implies, dissolved oxygen is the oxygen in water that plant roots can absorb. Hydroponic cannabis will grow best with DO levels of 5-8 mg/L. However, when the levels are low, nutrient uptake can be slow too. In contrast, when the levels are higher than 8 mg/L, it can sometimes lead to nutrient imbalances. In any case, more DO is beneficial because plants can access nutrients more readily and grow fast too. 

Signs of low oxygen levels in hydroponic systems include:

• Leaves turning yellow (a sign of deficiency)
• Slow growth or wilting.
• Roots may go brown or become slimy.

Optimum oxygen levels are vital for nutrient absorption, especially during critical stages like flowering when plants require increasing amounts of nutrients.

Also, proper aeration can ensure high oxygen levels in your hydroponic system. To increase the aeration, you can use water pumps and air stones that almost guarantee high levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. 

Air Stones

An air stone is nothing but a porous stone that's connected to an air pump. These stones break up air into small bubbles which rise to the surface, agitating the water and improving the oxygenation. The finer the bubbles, the more the surface area available for oxygen to dissolve in the water. Just make sure you use good-quality air stones so that they aerate the water more and last longer as well. 

While one or two air stones are sufficient for small setups, you'll need to use several large air stones to ensure that the oxygen reaches the roots evenly, especially if they have extensive root systems. 

Also, place the air stones close to the roots to maximize exposure to oxygen. They should be deep enough in the solution so that the bubbles don't escape or pop before reaching the roots.

Water Pumps

Water pumps circulate water and are essential components for some hydroponic systems like DWC and NFT. Water pumps prevent the water from being stagnant as stagnation can quickly deplete the dissolved oxygen and will also promote anaerobic conditions. A good water pump will keep the water running continuously and maintain enough oxygen. 

To aerate the water even further, use a water pump along with an air stone. However, make sure you have the right water pump for the size of your system to create enough water flow and not make things too overwhelming for the roots.

You can also water chillers to keep your water temperature below 70°F (21°C), which is good for holding oxygen. 

Warm water delivers inadequate oxygen, and excessive heat will stress your plants leading to reduced yields and more disease, so try and maintain the water temperature below 70°F. 

Tip 10: Prevent Root Rot 

Root rot refers to the death of a plant's root system, often resulting from the presence of a fungal pathogen. It typically occurs due to a lack of oxygen in the root zone (now you know how important oxygen is!) and the roots decay, and turn brown and slimy. Oh, and they emit a foul odor too. 

Here are a few tips to control root rot and even prevent it:

1. Maintain Proper Oxygenation

Adding to the previous point, make sure there's enough oxygen in the root zone to stave off anaerobic pathogens like pythium. 

As mentioned above, use air stones and water pumps to keep the water aerated. In addition, using perlite or expanded clay pellets in hydroponic systems, like the NFT or aeroponics systems, allows air to reach the roots. This further minimizes the risk of rot.

2. Keep the water temperature in check

And, don't forget to maintain the water temperature as it plays a key role in maintaining the oxygen. If you use an aeroponic system or a deep water culture, you should definitely get a water chiller to keep temperatures within range.

Lastly, ensure your reservoir is properly insulated so it doesn't experience temperature fluctuations that will stress the plant roots and promote rot.

3. Do not overcrowd the roots

If you place too many plants in a small space, the roots become overcrowded. In addition, this creates stagnant water, leading to low oxygen and more diseases. Therefore, make sure the roots have sufficient space to spread freely, especially in a hydroponic system. 

Remember, if you're using a system like DWC where the plants share the same reservoir, you should be extra careful with the roots. Just don't grow too many plants as it can stifle the roots. 

If you are growing multiple plants, trim the roots every now and then. This helps the root system to grow healthily and avoids tangled roots. However, don't overdo this. You need to be very gentle when pruning the roots or you'll kill the plants immediately. In fact, don't prune the roots if you have no prior experience and don't know what you're doing. 

4. Use beneficial microbes

To prevent pathogens, try using beneficial microorganisms in your hydroponics. Use products containing mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria to stop the colonization of harmful pathogens. These good microbes prevent root rot as they starve off the disease-causing bacteria by taking over their space. Besides, these helpful organisms will also help the roots take up nutrients better and grow more.

5. Make it a habit to clean and sterilize tools regularly

To help prevent root rot, keep your hydroponic system clean. Make sure to clean the reservoir, tubes, air stones, and pumps frequently to remove any biofilm, algae, or organic matter that attracts pathogens.

To sterilize your hydroponic system equipment, use hydrogen peroxide or a diluted bleach solution of approximately 10%. Use this on a regular basis every 2 weeks or if you have root issues. Seriously, do not underestimate this — keeping your tools sterilized will help you keep harmful organisms in check and keep your plants disease-free.

Summary: Maximizing Cannabis Yields with Hydroponics: Tips and Tricks

Maximizing your cannabis yield with hydroponics isn't just about throwing nutrients at your plants and hoping for the best. It's a game of precision — choosing the right strains, maintaining pH levels, optimizing CO₂, and pruning strategically. 

But once you dial it in, the rewards are massive. Whether you're growing for personal use or aiming for top-shelf buds, these tips will help you get the most out of your plants. So, gear up, fine-tune your setup, and watch those buds grow like never before!