When Should You Use a SCROG Net for Growing?

The SCROG method (Screen of Green) is a growing technique used to maximize the yield and quality of your harvests, especially in limited spaces. This system involves using a screen or net to train plants to grow horizontally, which improves light distribution and increases harvest yields.

Although it isn't suitable for every type of grow, SCROG is especially beneficial in situations where you want to optimize the available space and encourage a more uniform production.

When is it good to use a SCROG net for growing?

The SCROG method (Screen of Green) is a popular technique for maximizing crop yields, especially in limited spaces. It consists of using a net to train plants to grow horizontally, which allows for better light distribution and promotes the formation of larger buds.

However, not every situation is suitable for this method. That's why we're going to explore the ideal cases for using a SCROG net in your grow, its ideal conditions, and the stages of the process.

1. The right type of plants for SCROG

Before you start setting up a SCROG net for your cannabis plant, it's essential to choose the right plants. This method requires a longer growth period compared to other growing systems, which makes autoflowering plants not the best option. Indica and Sativa varieties are the most recommended, but combining them is not advised.

If you decide to grow a Sativa variety, it's important to keep in mind that pruning will be more intensive due to its tendency to "stretch" during growth. For those taller-growing Sativa varieties, the SCROG method can be ideal for controlling their expansion.

Some of the cannabis varieties best suited for the SCROG method include:

• Michka
• Silver Haze
• Skunk #1
• Super Skunk
• Afghani #1

2. Ideal growing conditions for SCROG

The success of the SCROG method depends on providing enough space for the plants. Compared to other methods like Sea of Green, it's important to avoid placing the pots too close together. The recommended spacing is approximately 30 x 30 cm per plant, which allows you to fit 1 to 5 plants per square meter.

After planting the cannabis in their pots, the screen should be installed between the plants and the lights. This screen should be at an appropriate height depending on the variety being grown. The recommended height is as follows:

• Indica varieties: approximately 20 cm above the pot.
• Sativa varieties: around 45 cm.
• Haze or Thai varieties: up to 60 cm above the pot.

It's crucial to thoroughly wash the screen or replace it after each harvest to ensure its effectiveness.

3. The growth phase with SCROG

In the SCROG technique, the main focus is on stimulating the horizontal growth of the plants. This is achieved by pruning the tips of the main shoots when the plants reach approximately 25 cm in height. Doing so encourages lateral expansion, which creates uniform coverage across the entire screen.

Once the shoots grow through the screen, they should be carefully secured to the structure, weaving them through the holes in the net. It's important to avoid breaking the lateral branches, since this can cause the plant to waste energy forming new shoots.

At the same time, you should prune the lower branches so that the plants concentrate their energy on the upper branches, where the largest buds will grow.

4. The flowering phase with the SCROG method

Once you've achieved satisfactory horizontal growth, it's time to trigger the flowering phase. This is done by reducing the light hours from 18 hours to 12 hours. However, it's not recommended to prolong the vegetative phase to the maximum, since the plants could spend too much energy producing new branches instead of forming buds.

During flowering, it's crucial to allow the shoots to grow through the screen. You should cut the leaves that remain below the screen to make sure the buds receive the maximum amount of light. In some cases, it's also helpful to cut half of the leaves located below the screen to increase the amount of available light.

Around the second week of flowering, the buds will begin to grow vertically and form a dense layer. As the growth becomes more compact, the lower leaves will start to turn yellow.

At this point, it's recommended to cut all the leaves, branches, and buds below the screen to concentrate the plant's energy on the upper buds and improve air circulation.

Is it worth using a SCROG net?

The SCROG method is ideal for growers looking to maximize yield in a limited space, delivering a uniform, high-quality production. Although it requires a bit of practice and patience, yields can increase by up to 20% more compared to other growing methods.

If you decide to try this technique, make sure to choose the right plants, create a suitable growing space, and follow the proper care throughout the growth and flowering phases. Over time, growers who master SCROG will enjoy abundant, high-quality harvests.