Mastering the Screen of Green (ScrOG) Growing Method

The Screen of Green (ScrOG) method is a highly effective marijuana growing technique that utilizes a net or wire mesh to control plant height and maximize light exposure.

It’s important not to confuse ScrOG with Sea of Green (SOG), a completely different approach that involves growing many small plants in a dense setup rather than training fewer plants to spread out.

Why Use Only Feminized Seeds or Clones?

One of the key advantages of ScrOG is that it maximizes the efficiency of grow lights by encouraging plants to develop a lush, even canopy. However, this method works best with feminized seeds or female clones because regular, non-feminized seeds have a 50% chance of producing male plants.

Male plants must be removed once they are identified during the flowering stage, leaving gaps in the canopy and reducing overall efficiency. Since ScrOG plants are trained around the netting and can’t be easily rearranged, it’s best to ensure that every plant in your setup is female from the start.

Setting Up the ScrOG Method

Vegetative Stage: Training for Maximum Yield

1. Spacing Matters: Allow at least one foot (0.3 meters) of space between plants to give them room to branch out. ScrOG is designed to maximize yield per plant by creating short, bushy growth rather than tall, spindly plants.
2. Training for an Even Canopy:
   • Keep plants in the vegetative stage until they have filled the entire screen with green foliage.
   • When branches poke through the mesh, gently bend them back under the screen or tie them down using soft plant ties.
   • The goal is to create an even canopy where light is distributed uniformly across all future bud sites.
3. Transitioning to Flowering:
   • Continue bending and training the branches under the screen until about two weeks into the flowering stage.
   • Once flowering begins, allow the colas (bud sites) to grow through the screen while maintaining a level canopy.

Flowering Stage: Optimizing Light Exposure

1. Encouraging Even Growth:
   • Guide taller colas toward the edges of the screen, keeping shorter ones directly under the light to prevent uneven growth.
   • Avoid having any colas grow too close to the light source, as this can cause light burn.
2. Light Distribution & Defoliation:
   • Ensure budding sites receive direct light by tucking large fan leaves under the screen.
   • If necessary, remove excess foliage using proper defoliation techniques to promote airflow and light penetration.
3. Final Growth Phase:
   • As the buds develop, they will form an even carpet of colas above the screen.
   • Continue monitoring plant health, adjusting as needed, and enjoy the benefits of a high-yield ScrOG setup.

By following this method, growers can maximize space, light efficiency, and overall harvest potential while maintaining a manageable number of plants. With patience and proper training, the ScrOG technique can significantly enhance your cannabis cultivation experience!