Everything About SCROG Method:
 When and How to Do It

Look at the ScrOG (Screen of Green) method if you want to take your cannabis growing skills to the next level. It's a game-changer that seasoned growers can't stop raving about. If you're all about getting higher cannabis yields, top-notch buds, and making the most of your growing space, then scrogging is what you've been waiting for. In this guide, we're diving deep into the secrets and perks of the ScrOG method. We'll hook you up with all the know-how and techniques you need to supercharge your cannabis harvest.

In this guide, we're diving deep into the secrets and perks of the ScrOG method. We'll hook you up with all the know-how and techniques you need to supercharge your cannabis harvest.

What is SCROG

SCROG, a cannabis plant training technique, gained huge popularity in the Northern California and Oregon among large cannabis growers. SCROG is an acronym for “Screen Of Green”. This training method entails utilizing a trellis net, or specific “SCROG screen” to manage the canopy by bending and weaving branches outward-through the net.

Why You Should Use SCROG Method When Growing Cannabis?

Why should you consider implementing the ScrOG technique? Well, this method offers a multitude of advantages that can significantly enhance your cultivation experience. Let's explore some of these benefits:

1. Enhanced Light Exposure

Scrogging provides even light exposure for your cannabis plants. Unlike untrained cannabis plants that typically have a single dominant cola, a ScrOG canopy ensures that every flower receives even and direct light. By hanging the lighting rig directly above each bud site, you can maximize their photosynthetic potential, and will see larger bud size and increased resin production.

2. Increased Yield

The meticulous training and arrangement of buds in a SCROG setup allow each bud site to thrive under ideal lighting conditions. As a result, ample light distribution significantly boost how much weed your plants can yield. Additionally, the technique transforms the main stem and central cola into a great number of both;

3. Improved Aeration

ScrOG method is also able to promote the airflow surrounding the canopy. For optimal results, growers can incorporate a fan to further enhance air circulation, ensuring a disease-resistant growing environment.

4. Benefiting Micro-Growers

From our knowledge, it's possible that a single scrogged plant produces more significant results than several smaller, untrained plants. This makes the ScrOG technique particularly appealing to home-growers aiming to maximize their output in limited growing areas.

When and How to Start Your Initial SCROGGING

Fellow grower using SCROG method with trellis net to train the plant in Hey abby grow box

SCROGGING is best done once the plant has been topped, or FIMed, and has multiple side branches. These two training methods work great together! The earlier you can start training and SCROGGING your plant, the better. The SCROG method may lead to increased length of vegetative growth to attain the desired structure, but the potential yield increase alone is worth the wait!

Here're some tips of using this technique:

• It’s important to be gentle with the plant when weaving the branches through the net;
• Try to keep the branches going in the same direction they have naturally grown. Don’t try to force a branch in a certain direction, and try not to create any hard angles.
• Each section or square of the net should have one branch in it. Try to avoid having multiple branches growing in one square. This spreads the plant out and keep the branches low, which creates a bushier and more lateral growth structure.

The plant's new structure forces a redistribution of hormones, water, and nutrients throughout the plant. Instead of only growing a few main branches vertically, the plant will grow much wider and create many more branches capable of producing large “Tops” or “Colas”. You may notice your pant is somewhat droopy, or “sad” looking; this is because the initial SCROG and change to structure of the plant may cause some stress. Once you have your initial SCROG done, it’s good to water the plant and give it some low intensity light to help it bounce back.

How to SCROG in the Flowering Stage

Image via Happy Hydro

Once the cannabis plant has grown and reached your desired structure, it is ready to flower! It is crucial to lollipop and remove any lower/weak growth from the lower section of the plant.

When using the SCROG method, you do not want to leave any bud sites or branches that are not capable of growing or supporting large buds; if they look weak-they are! If you do not remove these weak-lower bud sites/chutes/branches, the canopy will become over crowded and decrease the yield potential!

As we all know, in the first few weeks of flowering stage, the plant will stretch dramatically! It will become increasingly important to be proactive with the SCROG training, and keep the branches tucked under the screen/trellis, and held down.

Try to plan ahead and see where the plant is going to grow—that way you can arrange the branches accordingly. In this way the branches grow outward instead of upward. There will be a certain point, once the plant has been lollipoped and the flowers are set in, where you will need to let the plant grow vertically and reach for the light.

Since the SCROG training promotes more large top-buds, and less lower/smaller buds, you will need to let said tops get vertical so that they maximize the available light! Since there will be more tops, you may find it useful to add an additional trellis or support to hold up the large buds. During flowering it’s best to let the plant focus all its available energy on growing and fattening up the buds, rather than supporting them.