How to Maximize Yield in a 2×2 Grow Tent

Maximize 2x2 Grow Tent Yield

The good thing about growing cannabis is that it doesn’t need much space to grow. It is capable of thriving well anywhere you want. As long as it’s nourished with the right amount of light and nutrients. Regardless of the size of the space, we definitely would want to maximize every inch of our area. So that you come up with the most favorable yield as possible.

Now, if ever the land area available is quite limited, or if you want to build a grow room in a more discreet location. Then, building a grow tent as small as a 2×2 size can work well for that situation. Besides, you must know that it doesn’t follow that you would expect a minimal return, too. That’s because you happen to have a small grow room.

I am here to assure you that this is not the case. Thus, we have devoted this article to help growers. Particularly those with tiny 2×2 grow spaces. You’ll learn how to maximize their harvests despite the limitations in the area.

Expected Yield From A 2×2 Grow Tent

Generally, most growers would consider a good 10-ounce or a 0.625-pound yield. You might think that it’s likely achievable coming from a tent size of 2×2. Still, bear in mind that there are no absolute guarantees. There are way too many elements that impact the growth of the plants.

However, Some combination of routines may give you great results and high yield. Meanwhile, some may not work for your setup at all. Thus, you still have to engage your focus and observation. Thus, whatever process you take part in during the entire course of your cultivation.

From there, you can pinpoint which approach works best to your advantage. This is the only way for you to get the most accurate notation of the probable outcomes of your interventions.

Factors Worth Considering In A 2×2 Grow Tent

Since the grow space gets correlated to the yield of the plant, it is important to plan the setup of your grow tent. Given a particularly small space, here are a few of the major points to take into account when building a 2×2 tent.

Light Type

This aspect pertains to the type of bulb used and its corresponding wattage. Various classifications of light bulbs have different levels of influence on the plants. As a general rule, a recommended light power of 30 watts per 1 square foot of growing area. In other words, you would most likely be needing between 120 to 140 watts for a tent size of 2×2.

But, you also have to factor in the fact that plants will only absorb 60% of the light sourced from the bulbs. To say the least, let us do a simple calculation to help you understand how we come up with the figures:

Wattage required for yield

Actual light power required = 120 to 140 watts; Or, an average of 130 watts

130 x 100 / 60 = 216.67 watts; Or, rounded off as 220 watts

Therefore, 220 watts of light is most suitable to use for a 2×2 tent in actuality. Using that as a basis, you can either choose to use a single 220-watt bulb or tantamount to two bulbs in about 120 watts each.

Besides, bear in mind as well that the more light there is, the hotter space will be. In effect, it increases the tendencies of overheating the growing area. For that reason, you have to plan your light settings to prevent such issues from occurring. The calculation presented above is for the wattage.Â 

Types of bulbs for yield

There are actually a lot of kinds of light bulbs available in the market. Although, most growers always opt to use these three:

  • Fluorescent Lamps

Fluorescent lights are popular among the indoor growers as they are available almost anywhere and cheap. There are two main types: the Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and the T5.

CFLs are ideal to use for smaller grow tents. They are also favored by most novices since they are pretty much easy to install. They can do it with no fancy wiring whatsoever. In spite of this, CFLs may need the use of a reflector. Because the light it produces tends to be more dispersed rather than focused. Hence, they use a reflector device to avoid wasting energy. At the same time, gain more control over the direction of light.

CFL’s Yield Count:

CFLs are well known to produce 1,500 lumens out of the 30 watts of light power. In effect, it is likely to come up with a yield count of 0.25 grams of buds per watt. Or as we put it in figures:

0.25-gram x 220 watts = 55 grams; Or, is equal to 0.12 pounds of buds

But, a T5 type of fluorescent lamp would be more suitable to use for larger grow spaces. Thus, we wonâ€™t be dwelling much on this kind of bulb on this topic.

Our top picks for CFL lamps:

For Vegetative Stage (Daylight):

SunBlaster CFL Self Ballasted Propagation Lamp 200W

Hydrofarm Agrobrite FLB200D CFL 200W

MaxLite CFL Grow Light 200W

For Flowering Stage (Soft White):

Hydrofarm FLC125W CFL 125WÂ 

Feit Electric ESL40T/ECO High Lumen Twist CFL 150W

Sunlite SL150 CFL Light 150W

  • High-Intensity Discharge Lamps (HID)

HIDs are among the top choices of light bulbs for most growers out there. That’s because they’re proven to penetrate plants better. On that account, it is more efficient to use than the typical CFL lamps.

It also comes in various classifications. The Metal Halide (MH), the High-Pressure Sodium (HPS), and the Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH).Growers tend to switch between the types depending on the plant’s stage of growth. Most often, they will use the MHs during the vegetative phase. They will then shift to an HPS by the time the plant reaches the flowering stage.

HID’s Yield Count:

On average, HID lamps are capable of producing around 1,250 lumens per 30 watts. As for the yield count, it’s expected to grow 1 gram of bud per watt. In calculation:

1 gram x 220 watts = 220 grams; Or, 0.49 pounds of buds

Our top picks for HID lamps:

For Vegetative Stage (Metal Halide):

Eye Hortilux HX5779 Daylight Metal Halide 250W

Plantmax Metal Halide Natural White Lamp 250W

Sunlite 03658-SU MH250 Metal Halide Lamp 250W

For Flowering Stage (High-Pressure Sodium):

Eye Hortilux Super HPS Spectrum Grow Bulb 250W

GE Lighting 26430 LUCALOX HID HPS Light Bulb 250W

Ultra Sun HPS 250W

  • Light Emitting Diode Lamps (LED)

LEDs are one of the favorites, especially among the budget-conscious growers. It’s because they emit powerful amounts of light. But, they are also cost-efficient too compared to using HID lamps. Furthermore, they’re known to be much cooler. Thus, heat issues are significantly minimized when using LED lamps.

In spite of this, many also suggest using LEDs in combination with an HPS lamp. As per the experience of some growers, it’s said to produce higher concentrations of resin. They make the buds become stickier. This is more in demand in the market because it often indicates that cannabis is of good quality.

LED’s Yield Count

As mentioned earlier, LEDs are more efficient. That is why for only 13 to 20 watts, its light emission already reaches somewhere between 1,250 up to 2,000 lumens. When it comes to the yield count, however, LEDs produce half less than the HPS lights. It has a rating of only 0.5 grams of bud per watt. So, in a calculation that is:

0.5 gram x 220 watts = 110 grams; Or, 0.24 pounds of buds

Our top picks for LED lamps:

For Vegetative Stage (Blue Light 400-500 nanometers):

Derlights 120W LED Grow Light Bulb

Sunlike Full Spectrum 120W LED Grow Light Bulb

HLL LED Grow Light 120W Growing Lamp Panel

For Flowering Stage (Red Light 640-680 nanometers):

Figolite Grow LED Light HLG 120W

3000K 120W LED Grow Light Board with Samsung LM301B

Spider Farmer SF-1000 LED Grow LightÂ 

As an overview:

Type of LightExpected Yield Rating (Per Watt)Required Light Power for 2×2Total Yield Count
CFL0.25 gram220 watts55 grams
HID1 gram220 watts220 grams
LED0.5 gram220 watts110 grams

Â Plant Training

Plant training pertains to the physical manipulation of the direction, shape, and size of the cultivar. It’s done this way to have an even distribution across all the sides of the plant. This ensures that all parts are well covered and nourished. Still, as a rule of thumb, it is ideal to allocate an area of at least 1 square foot per plant. Especially for low-stress training or LST methods.

Here are various grow styles usually practiced by Cannabis growers.

1. Sea Of Green (SOG).

This low-stress technique of plant training enables the growers to increase their yield of flower heads. They do this by following the principle of growing various small plants. Rather than producing big yet only a few. In this manner, the period of the vegetative stage gets reduced. Additionally, the light efficiency is also increased. That’s because these small plants are well spread throughout the space.

Assuming a plant density standard of 1 plant/ft2, a 2×2 tent size can then accommodate around 4 plants.

2. Screen of Green (ScrOG).

ScrOG is another type of low-stress training or LST. This method aims to scatter the cultivar so that all sides will have enough access to lighting. But, what differs ScrOG from the others is that it is particularly using a flexible mesh or net. This is to support the proper positioning of the plants.

Since it’s expected the ScrOG method to occupy more space because of its horizontal growing style, its plant density is only about 0.25 plant / ft2. Thus, a 2×2 tent would be able to effectively cater to only 1 plant.

Our best picks for screens:

Modular Trellis for 2×2 Tents

Vumdua Flexible Net Trellis

Hydrofarm LHN010 Modulable Pronet

Growneer Flexible Net Trellis 2-Pack

Grow Tent Flexible Trellis Net 2-Pack (One Size Fits All)

3. Pruning.

Pruning is a high-stress training or HST method that imposes intentional bending. Cutting or removal of certain parts of the cultivar. By nature, the cannabis plant responds to trauma. If done in the right way, this will promote better health and development of the cultivar.

In pruning, the plant tends to grow in a vertical fashion. Thus, it does not occupy much space compared to the ScrOG technique. In a 2×2 tent, the density gets estimated at 0.75 plant / ft2. This can cater to up to 4 plants, about the same quantity as in the SOG method.

4. Super Cropping.

The super cropping technique is another HST method that manipulates the height of the plant. It’s done by bending the tips of the branches at a 90-degree angle. Flexing of the parts encourages the hormones to drawback towards the lower branches. Thus, facilitating better growth.

The required space when super cropping plants is somewhere between the SOG and ScrOG. It supports a density of around 0.5 plant/ft2. Thus, a 2×2 grow tent can house 1 to 2 plants at once.

As an overview:

Plant TrainingTent SizePlant DensityNumber of Plants
Sea of Green (SOG)2×21 plant/ft24 plants
Screen of Green (ScrOG)2×20.25 plant/ft21 plant
Pruning2×20.75 plant/ft24 plants
Super Cropping2×20.50 plant/ft21 to 2 plants

5. Plant Strains.

Of course, we cannot dismiss the genetic makeup itself of the cultivar. There are certain strains of cannabis plants that are designed to have a faster growth rate and high-yielding tendencies. But, there are also some strains that only produce less harvest despite all the efforts. Hence, a grower must get to know which strains would likely give you the most yield and also the level of quality you desire.

Here are a few of the most popular high-yielding cannabis strains:

StrainBlendGenetic BackgroundYieldStrength
Big BudSativa 15%

Indica 85%

Afghani, Skunk #1, Northern Lights600 to 900 grams/m2THC = 15-20%

CBD = 0.1%

Blue DreamSativa 60%

Indica 40%

Blueberry, Haze400 to 600 grams/m2THC = 17-25%

CBD = 0.1%

Northern LightsSativa 10%

Indica 90%

Afghani, Thai Landrace350 to 450 grams/m2THC = 16-19%

CBD = 0.1%

White WidowSativa 40%

Indica 60%

Brazilian Sativa Landrace, South Indian Indica400 to 600 grams/m2THC = 20-25%

CBD = 0.3%

Super Silver HazeSativa 90%

Indica 10%

Skunk, Northern Lights, Haze550 to 1,800 grams/m2THC = 18%

CBD = 8-14%

Additional Tips:

1. Use The Hydroponic System.

Modern cannabis growers prefer to use hydropic systems instead of planting in soil. That is primarily because it enables them to have better control over the nutrient intake of the plants. Furthermore, it also minimizes the risk of messing up the pH levels. As you likely would do when cultivating in soil.

2. Air & Temperature Management.

Every grow space needs proper ventilation. In order for the water and carbon dioxide to blend throughout the entire tent. To achieve this, you must be able to provide a good quality fan and carbon filter suitable for your 2×2 grow tent. Besides that, you may also want to invest in a dehumidifier to avoid the formation of harmful molds.

3. Preferably Use ScrOG Technique.

If there’s one that we would recommend, that would be the Screen Of Green method. We prefer this over other styles because it has time and again proven to increase the yield by 10% to 20%. Moreover, there is almost no wastage of light and it also does not produce soft and fluffy buds in the end. Then again, it is equally important to take into account whatever technique is more comfortable for you to use.

Final Thoughts

Come to think of it when considering each of the items mentioned above. It’s more likely to achieve harvest a good quality and high yield cannabis. Even so, from a well-planned and maintained 2×2 grow tent. From there, you can further amp up or downplay your strategy to come up with your desired target quantity. All you need is a little bit more patience and thorough attention to your plant’s needs.

Hopefully, you’ve learned a lot from this article on how to maximize yield in a 2×2 grow tent. To learn more about growing in a 4×4 tent, click here.

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