The number of plants that you can grow in a 4 x 4 tent depends on deciding factors like the strain of cannabis seeds you choose to grow, the training method employed when growing your plants, and the type of lighting used. Depending on your growing style you could fit anywhere from 4 to 8 marijuana plants in your tent. Some of the most common training methods are:
Sea of Green (SOG) requires about 1 sq. foot per plant. With this method, plants are forced into the flowering stage before their natural timeline, about 2-3 weeks after vegetation, which keeps the plants smaller. With this logic, growers can fit up to 16 plants in a 4 x 4 tent, although this requires more cannabis seeds and an awareness of the laws in your state regarding how many plants you are allowed to grow.
Screen of Green (SCOG) requires about 4 to 6 sq. feet per plant. This method requires more space compared to the SOG method and focuses on horizontal training of your plants. A screen is placed above the plants which spreads out the tops, this improves bud growth on otherwise neglected branches. Spreading out the plants as they approach the screen, you’ll want to push plants into the flowering stage when the space below the screen is about 50% full. This method can give you more buds per plant, but requires more space in a 4 x 4 tent. You can fit about 4 plants in a 4 x 4 tent with this method.
Low-stress Training (LST) requires about 2-4 sq. feet per plant. LST is one of the simplest methods of training your plants and can maximize indoor yields. Anytime pruning or topping is done, it puts stress on your plant. With LST, growers bend the plant to allow light to better penetrate bud sites which encourages more buds to grow on the bottom of the plant. You should use a soft string or twine to tie down various stems to create a more level playing field. Aggressive bending should be done early in the vegetative stage as branches are more flexible. With 2 sq. ft. per plant, you can fit about 4-8 plants in a 4 x 4 tent with the LST training method.
Topping requires 2 to 4 sq. ft. per plant. Snipping of the top is a widely used, high-stress technique of plant training that forces your plant to send all energy to the growth stems on the side. Experienced toppers can take it further and top new stems to create four main colas and so on. Be sure to trim your seedling only when you see at least 4 nodes and healthy leaf production.Topped plants take on a more bush-like appearance and require more space. With this technique, you can fit about 4 to 8 plants maximum in a 4 x 4 tent.
How Cannabis Strain Affects Grow Space
The strain of cannabis you chose to grow also affects the space you will need in your grow tent. Home growers should be aware of the average height, amount of plant stretch, appearance and standard yield of the chosen strain.
All in all, the amount of cannabis plants you can fit into a 4 x 4 grow tent varies widely depending on the strain of marijuana chosen and your growing style. Experiment with your favorite cannabis seed strains and training techniques to get the yield you desire.