Cultivation
Growing with the SCROG (Screen of green) Method
Growing your cannabis can be difficult when you first get into it. One method that can make growing cannabis more fulfilling is the SCROG method. This growth method allows you to train your cannabis to get a fantastic final result. People who use the SCROG method will have more space to grow more cannabis plants and get larger buds from their cannabis plants.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about applying the SCROG method to your cannabis growth. We will discuss the advantages end the best times to use this method throughout this guide.Contents
What is Scrogging?
Scrogging is a technique used by cannabis growers to train their cannabis plants by raising lower branches and lowering upper branches down. The screen that growers use while scrogging allows them to adjust the branches of their cannabis plant by weaving them through the mesh. This method allows cannabis plants to lay flat instead of growing upward so that more of the buds can see the grow lights. When a plant grows vertically, the buds towards the bottom of the cannabis plant have difficulty getting light. The SCROG technique combats this problem.Advantages of Growing Cannabis Using the SCROG Method
There are multiple reasons why cannabis growers choose to use the SCROG technique. The following are the main reasons people use this technique and how they’re beneficial.- Improved airflow: This technique allows the cannabis plant to receive more air because the plant is no longer congested with other plants. Air can flow below and above the canopy, which you use to weave your cannabis plant through.
- Compact: The SCROG method allows you to grow more cannabis simultaneously than you’d be able to without this method. This compact design makes the most of a small growing space.
- Larger buds: One of the best benefits of using the SCROG method is it allows your grow light to hit more buds which means you’ll get larger buds at the end of your harvest. This maximizes your cannabis plants’ ability to photosynthesize.
- Increased light access: The SCROG technique Uses weaving to enable your cannabis buds to receive as much light as possible. When your grow light shines directly down on your untrained cannabis plant, it will not be able to hit every bud. However, this technique lays your buds horizontally so that your grow light can access every bud on your cannabis plant.
When to Start SCROG Cannabis
You should set up your canopy screen before growing your cannabis plants to help guide you on when you can weave your plants through the screen. Once your cannabis plant is tall enough to contact your screen, you can begin to weave it through to train it. Setting up your screen 20 centimeters above your plant’s growth medium would be best. Once your cannabis plant grows 5 centimeters taller than your screen, you can begin to weave the plant through the screen. Waiting too long to leave your cannabis plant can make it difficult to use the SCROG method for cannabis growth. Before your cannabis plant hits 5 centimeters, it will be difficult to weave through your screen. As your cannabis plant grows throughout its vegetative stage, you can continue to weave it through your screen. You must continue weaving throughout your cannabis plants’ stretching period to ensure all of your buds hit the light. Adjust your light cycle when your screen fills up using the SCROG method to grow cannabis to help promote the flowering process.When Not to SCROG Weed
If your cannabis plant hasn’t grown 5 centimeters past your growth screen, it’s not time to SCROG yet. If you leave your cannabis plant through the screen too early, you’ll create extra work for yourself later down the line. You could also run out of space on your grid to grow your cannabis plant.The Most Important Consideration When Using SCROG Technique
The SCROG technique is very beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for new cannabis growers and experience cannabis growers alike. However, it’s still important to file some guidelines when using the SCROG technique and cannabis growth to ensure you get the best harvest. The setup for the SCROG method often looks a lot more complicated than it is for growers.Selecting the Right Strains for SCROG
When growing cannabis is essential to note the strain of cannabis you’re growing. Some strains of cannabis will develop extremely well with the SCROG method; others will benefit more from a different growth method. Cannabis plants that have more Sativa in their genetic makeup work the best for the SCROG growth method. Sativa plants work so well for this method because they are easy to stretch and manipulate. This fact makes them excellent for weaving. However, you can still apply this growth method to indica plants and see if it works for you. Keeping similar strains of cannabis under one SCROG setup can help reduce the work you put into this method. Of course, you can use different strains of cannabis under one net if that’s your preference, but it would be best to ensure that your cannabis plants grow around the same height to make things easier on you.Selecting the Right Pots
The size of the pot you choose for your cannabis plants will change depending on how many cannabis plants you want to grow under one net in the SCROG method. However, there are a few options when picking a cannabis plant pot.- 11-liter pots for multiple cannabis plants: Optimize your space when growing cannabis. If you’re growing multiple plants under the SCROG method, then you should put each plant in a small pot to ensure enough space.
- 25-liter pots for single plants: you can choose to grow a single cannabis plant with your SCROG canopy. Using a larger pot for single plans is a great way to help develop that weed plant’s root system for a larger harvest.
- Consider fabric pots to improve airflow: one of the massive benefits of using the SCROG technique when growing cannabis is giving your cannabis plants more access to better airflow. You can significantly improve this airflow by using fabric pots which will allow your plant’s root system to breathe more oxygen and hold more water.
How to Space Plants Properly
You can grow multiple cannabis plants under one SCROG net, which will allow you to grow several strains at a single time. The main thing you need to worry about when spacing your plants when using the SCROG cannabis method is ensuring that your plants get enough airflow and light. You will want to plant your cannabis plants as closely as possible under your SCROG net to get the most out of your final harvest. Proper spacing is vital for preventing mold and getting the most out of your growth session. For reference, you can fit about four medium cannabis plants for every square meter of your SCROG net.Screen of Weed Technique: Hight, Size, and Materials
The SCROG cannabis growing technique is extremely beginner-friendly. To make your SCROG screen, you don’t need to be a building expert. Instead, you’ll just need to consider several aspects of your plant growth before you start building.- The size and amount of cannabis plants you want to grow: Determining How large your cannabis plants are and how many cannabis plants you plan to grow under the canopy is an essential first step in building your SCROG setup. Figuring out this information will allow you to build the perfect size frame to accommodate your needs.
- The material you should use for your SCROG screen: You need a texture that is easy to clean up after done and will keep your cannabis plants in place the best. People have the most luck using string or hemp cord for the screen of their canopy.
- Building your frame: Squares and rectangles are your best friend when building the frame of your SCROG setup. Depending on your preference, you can use wood or PVC pipe for your frame. Make sure you cut the legs equal length to keep your setup stable.
How to SCROG
You can start building your SCROG setup once your cannabis plants hit the vegetative stage. You can set up your net above your cannabis plants during this phase and wait for them to contact the net before you start leaving. Setting up during this stage is a fantastic way to prepare to grow cannabis.- Once the branch of your cannabis plant meets the stem, you’ll need to top the highest node of your cannabis plant. You do this by snipping the mainstem above the junction point. The reason you need to do this is so that your cannabis plant has more lateral growth. This growth works the best for the SCROG method.
- Your screen needs to be between 20 and 40 centimeters above the top of the soil or water you grow your cannabis plants from. The height to set your screen at will depend on the size of your cannabis plants.
- After your cannabis plant grows 5 centimeters above your SCROG net, you can start weaving. Be gentle enough when maneuvering your branches to ensure they don’t break, but don’t be so gentle that you can’t move your plant at all. It’s going to take more effort to weave these cannabis plants than it would a plant with vines. You can stop weaving when your cannabis plant reaches its full stretching point.
- Get rid of the branches that fall below the spot where you topped off your plant. Pruning your plant is essential for directing your energy where you want it to go. Additional branches will suck up more energy that could be going to your buds instead.
- After every weaving session, when using that SCROG method, you should water your cannabis plant. Also, ensure that your plants receive enough nutrients during the growth process to prevent deficiency and keep your plants as healthy as possible. The SCOG growing process can put a lot of stress on your cannabis plants, so you must ensure that they are well taken care of to combat the stress.
Combine SCROG with Other Cannabis Training Techniques
Incorporating multiple techniques when using the SCROG growing method is a fantastic way to get the best results from your cannabis plants. You don’t need to just stick around for a single technique when there are so many techniques out there.- LST
- LOLLIPOPPING
- MAIN-LINING
- SUPER CROPPING