How to grow bigger plants?

I'm running a DWC setup. A lot of the answers are intuitive, but I want to make sure I have a complete understanding. I assume the size of the container/tote/whatever matters. Or is it the amount of water? How much space the roots have? There are 14 gallon, 27, 32, etc. What's a good size for one big plant? Every time I see a big bucket I think it's over over kill or could fit 2 plants, but I'm not sure. Thanks

I've seen a lot of successful grows in the rubbermaid 32 gal trash cans. I prefer square containers due to the extra surface area for oxygen exchange. The bigger you go the more air is needed for proper oxygenation.

For 1 plant, a 5 gallon plant is optimum. If you have never done hydro before, I would suggest you getting a Waterfarm simple setup, as it has everything you need in the box, minus seed and water.(One plant per container) You can get a bucket with a lid at Home Depot, but the set up for a rookie is a pain in the ass. Get 1 Waterfarm, it's a piece of cake, and learn from there. That's my advice.

Here is my basic set up they are 18 gal sterelite containers set up rdwc. I'm a noob to hydro so I think anyone could set up something similar.

kesaber said:

I'm running a DWC setup. A lot of the answers are intuitive, but I want to make sure I have a complete understanding. I assume the size of the container/tote/whatever matters. Or is it the amount of water? How much space the roots have? There are 14 gallon, 27, 32, etc. What's a good size for one big plant? Every time I see a big bucket I think it's over over kill or could fit 2 plants, but I'm not sure. Thanks

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There's quite a few factors beyond root mass that lead to a larger plant, but typical more roots below = more plant above...genetics is huge too. I had 2 plants in identical containers w/ the same amount of medium, same conditions, etc, only difference being the strain, and one came out larger than 6ft tall, the other hardly 3...on the flip side I had 2 clones of the same plant (so genetically they were identical), one in a 3gallon smart pot, and another in a 5 gallon smart pot, and the size difference was also significant between those 2...

If you want big plants here is my recommendation:
Vert System:
Walls lined with T5HO or 1w LEDs.
CMH or HPS for ceiling

Run 50% of walls + 100% top light (so they want to grow up more than out, but still out too) during veg. Run everything full power for flower.

Big tote (bigger is better just for temps and water levels) + with 10"+ netpot. Find find the line were you burn them and feed just a tad less nitrogen.