How To Grow Dense Buds - Every Grow! (Garden Talk #97)

In this episode of Garden Talk, I interview Chad Westport. He talks about how to grow dense buds - every grow! What plants do you like to grow? Tomatoes, carrots, peppers, garlic, onions, micro greens, swiss chard, cucumbers, let us know in the comments section below. If you enjoyed this video please click that thumbs up button :)

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★Timestamps★
00:00 - Montage & Podcast Intro
02:05 - Sponsors
02:41 - Introduction
04:01 - Genetics
09:02 - Lighting
14:08 - Environment
22:22 - Nutrition
27:40 - Size Of The Plant
29:47 - Plant Training
31:18 - Pruning
34:52 - Stem-Splitting
36:14 - Other Techniques
37:49 - Products To Increase Flower Density
40:51 - Final Words

★Music In Video★
Johannes Bornlöf - An Introduction 4

[GardenTalkwithMrGrowIt]

Thanks to Chad Westport for coming onto the podcast today!

[OG_VeniVidiVici]

You’re spot on Chris. Humidity is the key. Too high and mold issues unless the buds are airier to breathe, and too low and they’re airy because they have to breathe more. Also why many indica landrace genetics aren’t mold resistant because they never have to deal with that in their natural environment. Great episode. 10 years and still learning, never stagnate.

[WilliamWalrusFreedom]

Cleaning up all of the secondary branches and budsites that don’t get light will make a huge difference in density, quality and best of all trim work.

[ratslayer]

That dude cant quit smiling he's so baked...lol

[bushmanphotos]

I've been growing weed outdoors for 40 years and got the rap sheet to prove it. I can't comment on indoor grows because I don't do them. Outdoors ground preparation and root growth is the key to a healthy plant but not necessarily dense buds. Probably the number one factor in all bud formation is genetics but apart from that the following applies:

For dense buds avoid nitrogen other than what is strictly required for a healthy plant and preferably early in growth stages not later and never at flowering. Took me many years to understand that because I used to be into huge plants pushing them at all stages with max nitrogen for optimum growth. Apart from that the secret is simply max sunlight end of story. There are no chemicals that will increase bud density in a good way. I prefer organic grows and the plants that get the most sunlight for the longest always have the best buds and potency is directly related to heat. The more the plant bakes in the sun and the more extreme and dry the heat then the more potent it gets regardless of bud density.

It should also be noted that bud density can be a very bad thing outdoors in a humid environment.

[jefffolk]

New Ohio grower here. Just got legalized. I’ve waited my whole life for this. This channel and these talks are very very informative. Subscribed and hit the bell for sure. 🤘🏻

[TomaccoRoad]

I have to admit, I like buds you can unravel. I don't like rock hard buds. As long as the THC is there, that's my personal preference. Trichomes are the #1 proiority either way.

[EvanYL]

The main thing I have noticed that achieves denser buds with the same cultivars is lower temps. My winter runs tend to come out denser and terpier than my summer runs

[dawnrobbins]

So refreshing to listen to dialogue void of the words bro, bra, bruh, ladies, b*tches, f*ck, etc.. I know enough to recognize expert knowledge level when I hear it. Thank you both for the excellent information.

[healanimatthews]

I figured out how to grow denser buds by training the roots to absorb in a specific way. I call it dry water. Ive only tried it for outdoor buds. It makes sativa buds denser and indica buds even more denser. You get a large pot that has more width and one that keeps in moisture like a plaster. Of course using a grow medium that's practically worm casting, mulch and/or coco choir with organic nkp. The goal is to use minimal water in the vegetative stage. Making sure that the watering never soaks the entire pot or flows out the bottom. Just a few cups to allow it to grow. In the wild as long as the plant has moisture it will grow, even in a solid slab of cement. Because it learns to use whats available. Plants are adaptable. Here's the trick. You're aiming to have some of the roots push its growth into the dry/barely moist medium. This will force the plant to adapt and change its ability of absorption into a robust form. Forcing it to self regulate, hold more water, retain moisture appropriately with nature and, won't expell excess water through its leaves/stems. It will be picky at what it allows itself to absorb at its growth stages so it wont eat much nitrogen and make it fluffly. We teach our plants to depend on an extreme level of watering thats considerd unnatural. Too much water changes its functionality. Once the roots grow in the dry soil youll see the plant will have a sturdy structure. You pretty much want the roots to fill the pot slowly by the time it reaches budding. If you soak through the pot the roots will overtake the entire pot, eat up all the nutrients and youll have a plant starving for water and food and drooping a day after water. That stresses the plant and after budding its roots and plant structure stop growing thus its ability to change its chemistry and protocol will be hinderd or shot. By the time the plant goes into flower, water it well everyday. Its a tad bit smaller in the veg stage but it will look solid and robust. It wont droop for a while and the plant gains this ability to take what it needs in a balanced way from the soil thats still rich from staying dry, instead of just drinking it all up like a trained sponge and eating up nitrogen when it doesent need to. Thats how I got denser buds. They look like top notch buds. Tipped a few times and only removal of bottom leaves for flow, maybe lollipop it. My next grow I plan to stop giving the plant nitrogen a few weeks before it flowers to attempt to get all the nitrogen out of the soil. Of course we all do that but theres still nitrogen in soil. Of course genetics play a role too but it seems to work best for my observation.

[apsaraa]

Great podcast. I have been growing outdoors only for 4 decades. I live in the high desert. I just start my seeds then plant them in homemade compost with worms and let nature do her thing. I give compost tea to each plant once a month. They are in direct sun the whole season. Once flowering begins, I do give each plant milk with organic black strap molasses in it, (1/2 gal mix of WHOLE milk and 1/4 cup molasses) per plant. I have personally noticed that the milk/molasses mix does make the buds more crystal quickly & sweet. I also believe they do dense up when fed this drink. My personal observation of my own plants here. I never feed nutrients other than my own compost, compost tea. A good living soil is all you need. I do add milk and molasses to my compost when the season is over to just add some sugars. We have had a very hot 105+ temps for the entire month of July so I have been watering them early morning and just at dusk as they do need more water right now. I water to the count of 20 and thats it. On normal days I water once a day in the morning. I do remove the large leaves and lighten the plants by constantly removing excess greenery to redirect the energy to the tops of the plant where the buds will be. I do think that to FIM the plants in the beginning helps to bring more top growth for the buds. I just feel like since they are WEEDS and grow best in the extreme wilds of the deserts that its best to just watch them and interfere very little.

[dadstent]

YES! CHAD WESTPORT GROWIN SOME W**D! So glad you had him on the show Chris! Very knowledgeable guy, super friendly, all around rock-star! PARTY ON CHAD WESTPORT YOU GOSH DANG LEGEND!

[GPGOLDENTEE]

I love the cat at the beginning. Chillong like "Human is talking to himself again. Better make sure he's ok."

[cernunnoscanada]

Awesome podcast Brother! as a side note, i also produce my own wine/alcohol, and keep my brewing bucket in my grow room. it seems to produce perfect co2 for budding at a rate of 4 plants/5 gallon bucket. works great!

[necangrow]

Chad is a very sincere, knowledgeable and passionate gentleman. Absolutely love his content and can’t wait to hear from him again. Thank you Chris!
Many Thanks, Derek

[ronnieross]

Temperature!!! I use a small air conditioner and keep the 2x4 grow tent around 50-55 degrees. I’m in a hot humid climate and I grew loose airy Bud’s even with phenomenal genetics. The first grow I got the AC in there it was a game changer. It’s true that bud grows loose if it’s hot and humid. The plant is smart and keeps itself from molding, so it will grow loose for airflow. Bring the temp down and man what a difference!

[InfamousGardens]

Much love and big respect for Chad Westport! One of the better episodes!

[SThompson]

I really like Chad. He is the real deal.

[LampLandFarm]

Chad Westport is always dropping such awesome knowledge! Great show!

[johnnyb]

Proper watering techniques will help with dense buds