While many enjoy smoking weed, certain individuals also partake in the art and science of cannabis cultivation. Many growers have seen weed grown in indoor and outdoor farms, and what makes cannabis cultivation unique is its many ways of growing the plant. For example, you can commonly see cannabis farms using a mesh-like structure where crops of cannabis poke out from that screen. This is SCROG or Screen of Green. Scrogging is a unique method used in cannabis cultivation that maximizes the yielding potential of each cannabis plant.
In this article, learn more about what SCROG is, why it is important for cannabis cultivators, especially new ones, learn about scrogging, and how to scrog.
What is SCROG?
SCROG or Screen of Green is a low-stress training technique where the objective is to optimize the yielding potential of the cannabis plant. This is done by enlisting the aid of a screen mesh where the plants are manipulated into a certain angle so that it can maximize the lighting. The process is done by dividing the main cola and raise the lower buds into the same level in the canopy.
The Importance of SCROG
In regular cannabis growth, only the main cola and the upper canopy receives the lighting since it has a higher altitude. The lower canopy is mostly underdeveloped buds since they do not receive the same amount of lighting as with the upper canopy. With scrogging, you make sure that all parts of the plant equally receive the same amount of lighting and expose the lower region to also develop the buds in that area. This allows the plant to grow buds in all areas, thus maximizing the yield.
Another reason why growers should be scrogging is it allows proper air circulation for the plants. One of the main struggles for new cannabis cultivators is mold and fungal infection. This often happens when moisture builds up within the lower areas of the plant near the root and branches. This can deteriorate the overall health of the plant, thus reducing its ability to produce bud sites.
Scrogging provides adequate airflow to different parts of the plant, which removes the moisture from the lower areas. This effectively diminishes the tendency for fungal growth in these areas, thus reducing the risk of developing subpar bud sites.
Most growers also have the issue with space. To obtain a larger yield, one would have to seek a larger space to accommodate all the plants to grow. For those who have limited space or would rather grow cannabis within their homes, scrogging allows you to maximize your limited space and still bring you the optimal yielding results. Growers should take advantage of scrogging as it allows plants to merge into a single screen and allow them to grow naturally.
When To SCROG
Scrogging is all about proper timing. Knowing when to scrogging is important as it takes a lot of time and effort for every grower to get it right. Scrogging can only be done when the plants develop branches that are long enough for you to separate them and train them. Note that when you do this, you are placing the plant under stress. Cannabis plants are very susceptible to stress, and they can develop unwanted results when they are under stress.
For photoperiod plants, most growers tend to scrog around 3 to 16 weeks starting from the vegetative stage. The first requirement before you scrog is when the branches are soft but durable enough to be shaped and trained. This is mostly done around the early weeks of the vegetative period.
When it comes to scrogging, avoid weaving them too early as you might break them. Training your plants too early or too late will result in more work as a grower. Timing is key to scrogging.
How To SCROG
Before you start scrogging, there are still a few more things that you need to consider first. Sativa strains are great choices to use SCROG. They are tall and stretch wide thus;, you can fully maximize the plant’s ability to fill up space. Choose strains that have almost the same height, and you can scrog them together. The right pot is also important for scrogging. You can grow a single plant within a single pot, but for multiple plants, you can start by using smaller pots as you will need to consider the space below as well.
Scrogging is all about proper spacing. Proper spacing helps reduce the risk of moisture and humidity. This lowers the risk of developing mold even further when you have the proper spacing for each plant. Keep them farther apart, but you can still squeeze them all together in a narrow space to help with the exposure to light and air.
- Scrogging starts a few weeks after the plant enters the vegetative phase. This is the right time for the plants to undergo training as the branches are still soft and pliable. Once the plant reaches this stage, it will also develop around 5 nodes. This is the time when you should be topping the highest node to allow the plant to divert its growth to the other stems instead. This makes scrogging more convenient and easier for both the plant and the grower.
- Install the screen mesh around 40cm above the plant. Make sure that the light is also positioned in a place where it can fully shine bright on the plants.
- This is now the time when you will need to weave in the rest of the branches into the screen mesh. Carefully weave them and feel each square with one branch at a time. If the branches do not go your way, simply reposition the pot of the plant so that it goes into the direction you want. You can also redirect the branches toward its angle if it is difficult for you to reposition the pot at this point. Avoid overlapping one branch with another as this will cast a shadow over a certain area of the plant, which is counterproductive to the method.
- Throughout the late vegetative period and into the early flowering stage, continue to weave the branches into the screen as much as possible. This will redirect the plant’s energy into the canopy that you have created, thus forcing it to develop buds in that area instead.
- Always water your plants after each weaving session. This will help relieve the tension and stress of the plant. Make sure to feed your plants properly and regularly to avoid certain nutritional deficiencies as well.
- At this point, all you need to do is to wait until the plant develops mature buds that are ready for harvest. Proper maintenance and feeing are essential at this point while also keeping the plants in a safe and stress-free environment.
Conclusion
Using the SCROG method is a well-favored technique for cannabis growers, especially for newbies who want to learn more about growing marijuana. It can even be incorporated with other techniques such as super cropping and mainlining to further enhance the yielding results of the plant. With scrogging, you allow your plant to grow and mature well and help you reach the results you need for that profit.
