Quote Originally Posted by redtails
Equatorial regions get more intense light and a longer veg period so you can just imagine what's really out there somewhere...
Equatorial areas do get more intense light but they do not get a longer veg period. Close to the equator the day length doesn't vary much from 12/12 year round, so there really isn't any veg period at all.

To get the large plants you need to grow sativas that will continue to gain height as they flower and flower for a long period. Classic SE Asian sativas can take between 14 and 20+ wks to complete flowering. Many don't actually ever stop pushing out new flowers (called intermediate flowering), you just cut them down before the wet season brings on the mould.