HOW TO PRODUCE MULTIPLE HARVESTS PER YEAR

The great advantage of growing indoors is the chance to achieve multiple harvests in a single year. By manipulating the growth of marijuana plants, it is possible to get six or seven harvests per 365 days! If you have the space outdoors, it is possible to push this out to 12 harvests per year. Although the plants have lower yields during the winter months outdoors, they still provide potent buds.

Depending on whether you are growing from seed or clones, getting six or more harvests per year requires some planning. You will be sprouting or taking clones while other plants are flowering. It is certainly advantageous to have a seedling and vegetative chamber. This way, growth phases can overlap and you can step up production and turnover. If you only have the one grow space, then you will have a busy day or two when it comes to harvest time—harvesting one batch then immediately prepping the next.

Traditionally, plants are vegetated for at least 2–4 weeks after germination or the striking of clones. Unless you have a source for cuttings, making clones means having a mother plant(s). This means you already have a vegetation chamber of some kind, putting you ahead of the curve.

GROWING FROM SEED

The 12-12 photoperiod from seed technique was very popular in the mid to late-90s. This method increases turnover as vegetation time is negligible. Young plants are forced into flowering from the very beginning by only exposing them to a 12-12 photoperiod. Depending on subspecies, this can mean full maturity in between 6 and 8 weeks. Nutrient routines remain the same, but smaller plants will need less watering. Your hygrometer is your friend—don’t drown them.

The resulting plants are small and lean, yet dense and without a drop in bud quality. Pots can be smaller so more plants can fit per m². Buds will sprout at the first internode, which can be very close to the surface of the growing medium. Be careful when hand-watering and keep a keen eye out for disease. Be sure that air circulation is thorough around plants and across the top of the pots. This is similar to the sea of green technique, where many smaller plants with little understory and a singular main cola are grown to maximise yield/m².

Growing lots of small plants that bud immediately has a number of advantages. All the light energy is concentrated onto the central bud. Small side branches can form, but they will have minimal lateral stretch. Because the plants are only flowering, you only need to use flowering nutrients. This saves money on having to purchase separate vegetating nutes. The life of your lights are extended by at least a third, saving money on globes and wear and tear on equipment.

GROWING FROM CLONES TWO WAYS

INDOORS

When taking or buying clones, it could be argued that a rooted clone has already spent a few weeks in vegetative growth. Once roots form after 7–10 days, the plant begins to grow independently. Depending on clone size, this is the equivalent to a few weeks of vegetation. The plants short-circuit the germination and infant stages, and already have a number of internodes where buds can form.

For a rapid turnover, only give clones a week more to grow. This is primarily to ensure good root development and acclimatisation (if store bought). Once clones are obviously strong and growing, switch to the 12-12 photoperiod. This is so close to being sea of green that it is barely necessary to think of it as another method. Small plants are encouraged into budding before they really have any lateral branches. Most of the growth occurs during the flowering stretch in the development of the main cola.

INDOOR-OUTDOOR COMBINATION

If you have the outdoor space or a greenhouse and reasonable winters, clones can be put outside after only two weeks vegetation. The winter day lengths are not optimal, but cannabis will still flower and produce potent buds. The buds will be smaller and mature rapidly, but the turnover makes up for loss of yield. They will need to be protected from cold night air and morning frosts. If you don’t have a greenhouse, one can be easily made from inexpensive items from a hardware store. Northern Europe won’t get enough light after autumn to make this practice worthwhile. With eight hours or less per day of sun, there is little bud development.

The advantage of having plants mature outdoors is the freeing of indoor space for growth. The indoor grow space becomes a vegetation chamber and is turned over every two weeks. This side-steps having to wait the 5–8 weeks while flowering takes place. The downside is you can’t have lots of plants outside at any one time. Depending on your country’s drug laws, this could land you in trouble. Vegging 10 at a time means at least 70 plants on the go at any time.

Clones do have their downside. They can be more susceptible to disease and grow with a little less vigour than plants from seed. However, contemporary growing practices reduce these problems dramatically. Clean grow spaces, beneficial root fauna stimulants, and custom nutrients get the most out of cannabis. Seed or clone. Also, by their nature, clones will tend to be taller during the flowering phase. Some species can double or triple their pre-12-12 height, so this needs to be considered if you have little room.

For the space and time-challenged, the 12-12 from seed or young clone method allows for buds to develop quickly. Plants may not be as visually spectacular, but they are nonetheless potent and well worth the effort.

			Written by: Grant Robinson Artist and Writer, Grant Robinson is a pro gardener with a big love for the outdoors. When not growing, he tends to be working on art, enjoying nature with his dog, or even making his own clothes!
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