ScrOG Method
Planting Guide

ScrOG Method (Screen of Green): Detailed Guide

November 7, 2024
Share Post Pin E-mail

Scrogging, or the Screen of Green (ScrOG) method, is an advanced cultivation technique that uses a net to shape plant growth, creating a flatter, more even canopy. This approach maximizes light utilization from grow lights, boosting both the yield and quality of plants. 

As indoor cultivation continues to rise in popularity, the ScrOG technique has become increasingly widespread; however, there are still key details and techniques that growers should master for optimal results.

In this article, we provide an in-depth look at the ScrOG method to help you increase yields and promote robust flower development.

Main Content:

What is the ScrOG Method

The ScrOG (Screen of Green) method is a plant training technique designed to maximize light exposure and yield, particularly in indoor environments. By using a mesh screen—typically made from plastic trellis or wire—growers encourage plants to grow horizontally instead of vertically. This expands the canopy, allowing light to reach more flower sites evenly.

Beginners sometimes confuse ScrOG with the SOG (Sea of Green) technique, as both aim to improve light efficiency and yield. However, there are significant differences in practice. SOG relies on a high number of plants to fill the growing space and is better suited for fast-maturing strains and larger spaces, with minimal training involved. 

ScrOG, on the other hand, is ideal for fewer plants with larger spacing to allow branches to spread and form an even canopy. This technique often requires a longer growth period with frequent training and pruning, making it better suited for smaller spaces with fewer plants.

Materials and Tools Needed for ScrOG

To successfully implement the ScrOG (Screen of Green) technique, you'll need certain materials and tools to set up the screen and ensure healthy plant growth. Here is a list of essentials for preparing a ScrOG setup:

  • Screen or Mesh: Options include nylon, metal, or plastic mesh with grid openings of around 5-10 cm, allowing easy threading of plant branches through the screen.
  • Support Frame: The screen needs stable support, which can be made using PVC pipes, bamboo stakes, or a wooden frame to secure the mesh at the right height.
  • Ties or Clips: Use these to secure the mesh to the frame and to help fix branches onto the screen. The ties should be easy to remove to avoid damaging the plants.
  • Scissors or Pruning Shears: For trimming excess leaves and branches, allowing the plant to focus nutrients on the main flower sites.
  • Suitable Pots for SCROG: For single-plant SCROG setups, a 10-15 liter (2-3 gallon) pot is recommended, providing ample room for root expansion. Choosing pots with good breathability can boost oxygen levels around the roots.
  • High-Quality Grow Light: Full-spectrum LED grow lights are ideal as they provide ample light with low energy consumption. Ensure the light covers the entire screen to prevent any flower sites from being left in the shade.

Once these tools are ready, you’re all set for the next steps.

ScrOG: Optimal Plant Placement

Proper Plant Placement in SCROG Keeping adequate spacing between pots will enhance light penetration and airflow, helping to prevent mold and ultimately increasing yields. Generally, 30-50 cm spacing between pots is recommended, depending on plant size and growth habits.

For grid height placement, the screen should typically be set at a height of 20-30 cm above the plant. This encourages lateral growth, promoting even branch distribution. 

Before entering the flowering stage, control plant height by trimming and gently bending stems to gradually fill out the grid. This ensures each top has ample light exposure, allowing more flower sites to develop.

How to SCROG: Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have your tools ready, the screen is set to the appropriate height, and your plants are in the vegetative stage. You can start SCROG (Screen of Green). Here’s a step-by-step guide to successfully setting up SCROG.

1. Choose the Right Strain

You can select resilient, tall strains or bushier strains, as these will perform better with SCROG.

2. Train the Plants

Each plant should have 10 to 20 branches woven through the screen. Start with the outermost branches, gently bending and guiding them through the screen.

3. Top the Plants

Topping in conjunction with SCROG can yield better results. After each plant develops 5 nodes, use clean, sharp scissors to cut the main stem above the node. This allows the lower nodes to receive more direct nutrients, airflow, and light.

4. Prune

Trim all branches, leaves, and nodes that do not receive sufficient light. If these underlit branches are not removed, they will consume the plant’s energy while producing thin flowers.

5. Control Height

Continue training and bending branches during the first 2-3 weeks of the flowering phase (stretch phase), as plants will experience explosive growth. Secure branches every few days, and stop removing leaves after the second week of flowering.

6. Adjust Nutrients

Since SCROG is a high-pressure process, careful attention is required to keep the plants healthy. Water after each training session, feed them with B vitamins, and spray a solution with a pH of 5.7 and a concentration of 160 ppm during the vegetative phase. Adjust to 170 ppm during flowering.

After completing these steps, you can wait for the bountiful harvest.

ScrOG Harvest Timing

The ideal harvest time for ScrOG plants generally depends on the strain type and personal preference. Additionally, the following indicators can help determine when to harvest:

  • Flower Appearance: Check the appearance of the flowers—mature flowers are typically full and vibrant in color.
  • Trichomes: Inspect the trichomes’ color. Clear trichomes indicate immaturity, while milky or amber ones signify maturity.
  • Leaf Changes: Toward the end of the flowering phase, the plant’s leaves may start to yellow or wither, signaling harvest readiness.
  • Personal Preference: The best harvest time may vary based on desired effects (e.g., energizing or relaxing). Refer to guidelines for harvesting to achieve specific effects.

    Ideal LED Grow Lights for SCROG

    The SCROG technique is designed to create a more even canopy and maximize light efficiency, which requires LED grow lights that deliver strong, uniform lighting. The stronger the light intensity, the better the yield.

    Flex-1200

    The Flex-1200 features 12 bars equipped with high-quality Osram diodes, with a PPF output of up to 3600 μmol/s. It has a red-blue spectrum specifically balanced for the flowering phase, significantly enhancing light quality and promoting growth at each flower site, ultimately increasing flower quality.

    MINI SUN-2

    The Mini Sun 320W uses Samsung LM301 diodes, providing one of the best light outputs available while greatly saving on electricity costs. With over 50% greater energy efficiency compared to HPS lights of the same wattage, this scientifically designed fixture ensures that every flower site receives even light distribution. This maximizes yields, rewarding your SCROG efforts with abundant harvests.

    Pros and Cons of SCROG

    Now that you know all the details of SCROG, it’s still essential to weigh its pros and cons to determine if SCROG is right for your needs.

    SCROG Advantages

    • Increased Yield: By distributing branches and flower sites evenly, SCROG allows each flower to receive more light, thus increasing the overall yield per plant.
    • Better Light Utilization: SCROG keeps the canopy at a uniform height, enabling the light source to distribute evenly across the entire canopy, improving light efficiency.
    • Optimized Space Usage: Ideal for limited indoor spaces, SCROG encourages horizontal rather than vertical plant growth, making better use of available space.
    • Resource Savings: By reducing unlit lower branches, SCROG saves nutrients and water, concentrating energy on the top flowers.

    SCROG Disadvantages

    • Longer Preparation Time: SCROG requires a prolonged vegetative phase before flowering to ensure branches cover and fill the entire screen.
    • High Maintenance: SCROG demands regular pruning and training, especially during rapid plant growth, requiring frequent effort to guide branches through the screen.
    • Not Suitable for Quick Turnaround: With a longer vegetative phase, SCROG may not be ideal for growers aiming for rapid turnover, especially those planning frequent cycles.
    • Experience Required: SCROG requires an understanding of plant growth to ensure even branch and flower distribution, making it less suited for beginners.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the ScrOG method provides an effective way to maximize yield and space efficiency in indoor growing, though it may not suit everyone. It requires patience, practice, and maintenance, but the beauty of ScrOG lies in the potential for rewarding yields from just a few plants. We hope that with our guide, you’ll be able to successfully use ScrOG to achieve a bountiful harvest.

    Related Blog:

    How Many Watts LED Do Your Plants Need

    How Much PPFD Is Best for Your Indoor Plants

    Can Any LED Light Grow Plants?

    Leave a comment