The Ultimate Guide to SCRoG: Screen of Green Method

Are you looking to maximize your cannabis yield and take your cultivation skills to the next level? One popular technique for achieving this is the Screen of Green (SCRoG) method. This method offers a range of benefits for cannabis growers, including maximizing yields, optimizing space, and achieving healthier and more robust plants. This guide is tailored for beginner to intermediate growers looking to explore the potential of SCRoG for their cannabis cultivation.

What is SCRoG Growing?

The SCRoG (Screen of Green) method is a low-stress cannabis training technique used to maximize yields and optimize light distribution for indoor growing. It involves using a screen or netting to create a horizontal plane, which encourages the plants to grow horizontally along the screen, limiting vertical growth. This helps to create an even canopy of growth, allowing for better light penetration and airflow, ultimately leading to more uniform and larger yields.

The history of SCRoG can be traced back to the early days of indoor cannabis cultivation when growers began experimenting with various training methods to improve plant health and maximize yields. The SCRoG method gained popularity due to its effectiveness in controlling plant height and increasing bud production in indoor environments where vertical space and light distribution are limited, ultimately increasing yields.

Benefits of Using the SCRoG Method

The SCRoG method provides numerous benefits for cannabis growers. These include maximizing light exposure, achieving an even canopy, and enhancing overall yields. Let’s delve deeper into these advantages to gain a better understanding of the method’s benefits.

Light Distribution

Training the branches to grow horizontally along a screen allows for better light exposure, ensuring that each bud site receives an equal amount of light. This maximizes grow light energy and leads to increased yields compared to traditional methods.

Plant Health

The SCRoG method promotes overall plant health by allowing for efficient air circulation and light exposure, reducing the risk of mold and mildew. Additionally, the horizontal growth pattern helps support the plant’s branches and encourages the development of strong, healthy stems.

Distribution of Space

Implementing the SCRoG method allows for more efficient use of space, as it helps create an even canopy of buds at the same distance from the light source. This ensures that all parts of the plant receive equal light distribution, maximizing the potential for bud development and yield.

Choosing the Right Strain

Sativa-dominant cultivars are known for their tall and stretchy growth patterns, which make them particularly well-suited for ScrOG (Screen of Green) setups. The plants’ smaller, pointed leaves optimize light distribution compared to the broader fan leaves typical of indica varieties. While indicas can also be used for ScrOG, it may take longer for their branches to fill out the screen due to their different growth characteristics. Here are two specific recommendations:

The Upsetter

The sativa-leaning hybrid known as The Upsetter is perfect for SCROG. This hybrid typically grows tall and benefits from horizontal training. Its mold resistance makes it ideal for dense SCROG canopies where airflow can sometimes be restricted. With a short 55 to 60-day flowering period, it quickly fills out the screen, maximizing yields. The Upsetter’s strong, tropical terpenes and vigorous growth make it well-suited for beginners and experienced growers alike.

Orange Creampop

Orange Creampop is ideal for SCROG due to its tall, sativa-dominant structure. Its cola-type flower formation and high yield potential make it perfect for maximizing canopy space, while SCROG enhances light exposure and bud development. With a short flowering period of up to 55 days and extremely high THC levels, Orange Creampop thrives under SCROG, producing dense, resinous buds and an XL yield.

Setting Up Your SCRoG

Before using the Screen of Green, start by thoroughly cleaning and sterilizing all your equipment to prevent the spreading of diseases and pests. Additionally, ensure that your growing area is well-maintained and free of any environmental stressors hindering plant growth. Setting up a SCROG requires specific materials. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:

• 4-socket elbow fittings
• PVC Pipe (tent length x 2, width x 2, height x 4)
• Screws
• Netting 
• Pruning scissors
• Plastic ties and clips

To create your screen, start by measuring the inside of your tent (width and length) using a measuring tape to get the accurate dimensions for your screen. Then, cut PVC pipes to the appropriate lengths for the tent’s width, length, and height (legs) using a PVC pipe cutter or a saw. Remember to double-check the measurements to avoid any mistakes.

Now, assemble the frame with elbows and PVC pipes. Connect the pipes with the elbows to form the structure of the tent frame, ensuring that it is stable and secure. Mark the top frame with a pencil or marker to indicate your desired grid size (3 inches by 3 inches) for the netting. Use a measuring tape to ensure the grid markings are evenly spaced.

Create holes at the marked locations on the top frame and partially insert screws. This will create anchor points for securing the netting in place. Weave the netting tightly across the frame, using the screws as anchor points. Ensure that the netting is taut and securely attached to the frame to provide adequate coverage for the tent. 

Step-by-Step SCRoG

Now that you’ve prepared your screen and all the essential equipment. Let’s get started on our step-by-step guide to using the SCRoG technique to maximize your plant growth and yield.

Step 1: Germination and Early Growth

To begin the SCRoG process, germinate your cannabis seeds and let the plants grow to about 12 to 15 inches. This size allows ample foliage to fill the screen and optimize light exposure during flowering. Install the screen about 20 inches above the base to support your plants, ensuring they can bear their weight. Divide the canopy into sections to minimize the risk of moisture trapped between densely packed foliage.

Step 2: Vegetative Stage

After installing the screen, monitor the plant’s growth. When the tips of the branches reach approximately two inches above the screen, gently weave the branches through the mesh screen and use cable ties to secure them, encouraging horizontal growth. This process should be maintained throughout the vegetative phase, and once the screen is adequately filled, you can transition the plant to the flowering phase.

Pruning excessive vegetation beneath the screen helps focus the plant’s energy on the developing canopy. Remove any unnecessary fan leaves or stems that do not contribute to the plant’s growth and monitor them regularly to ensure they grow evenly. As it’s still early in the growth cycle, you can adjust the positioning of branches and shoots to maintain an optimal canopy. By doing so, you’ll encourage the plants to grow more uniformly.

Step 3: Flowering Stage

Guiding the growth of the flowers through a screen as the bud sites develop can help optimize their exposure to light, allowing for even development and maximized yields. Make sure to prune any lower leaves and branches in the flowering stages, and continue to direct energy to the upper part of the plant. Stick to your regular nutrient schedule, and as the flowers reach their peak maturity, it’s time to prepare for the harvest!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As growers, we understand it’s often about trial and error and hands-on experience. To ensure the success of the ScrOG method, we’ve created a list of four common mistakes that professionals and home growers should avoid.

Too many plants

Overcrowding can lead to limited light penetration and restricted airflow, negatively impacting plant health and plant yield. Sufficient space between plants allows optimal light exposure and air circulation, promoting bigger yields and better bud development. Additionally, stagnant air resulting from overcrowding can increase the risk of botrytis and mildew, especially during flowering.

Screen Height

If the screen is too high, plants may not have enough support for their growth, leading to uneven canopies and reduced light distribution. On the other hand, a screen set too low can limit vertical growth, affecting the overall yield potential. Finding the right screen height is essential to ensure that plants can be trained effectively while maximizing light exposure and space utilization.

Neglecting Maintenance

Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential. Neglecting to adjust and train the plant growth through the screen can result in uneven canopies and inefficient use of space. Ongoing maintenance, including tucking and pruning, is necessary to effectively guide the plants through the screen and promote an even canopy, leading to better light distribution and higher yields.

Avoid training plants too soon or too late

Be cautious when training your plants too early, as there is a risk that they may become unmanageable and protrude from the screen during the stretching phase of the flowering stage. If you try to train them during flowering, the branches will be more robust and snap. Time your SCROG accordingly to prevent this issue and ensure they grow within the desired parameters.

FAQs About SCRoG

Whether you’re a novice grower or an experienced cultivator, this guide aims to address frequently asked questions and provide valuable insights into the SCRoG technique.

What does SCROGging mean?

SCROGging is a training technique used in growing cannabis where a screen or net is placed over the plants to help control their growth and maximize light exposure.

How long should I veg before SCRoG?

The length of the vegetative stage depends on the growth rate of the specific strain you are growing. Generally, most growers veg their plants for 3 to 4 weeks before starting SCROGging.

Can I SCRoG autoflowering strains?

Yes, you can SCROG autoflowering strains, but it’s important to start the training early and be mindful of not stressing the plants too much due to their shorter life cycle.

What type of screen works best for SCRoG?

A screen with 2×2-inch to 4×4-inch holes works best for SCROG. This screen allows the plants to grow while providing enough support for the developing buds.

How many plants do you need to Scrog?

The number of plants you need to SCROG depends on the size of your grow space and the specific strain. Generally, growers use 1 to 4 plants when SCROGging.