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Scrog nets: Worth it or a waste of time?
Unsure if it’s worth the investment or a waste of time?
Without a scrog net, will you miss out on maximising your plant’s potential? This post has the answers you need.
We’ll explain what a scrog net is, its benefits and downsides, and how to use it effectively. Get ready to learn from the experts and take your indoor grow to the next level.
Disclaimer: Any information given on this site is for educational purposes only. Please ensure if you’re growing cannabis, you’re doing so by the law and subject to appropriate permissions and licenses of the applicable country.
What is a scrog net?
A scrog net, short for "Screen of Green," is a low stress training technique used in indoor growing to optimise plant growth and increase yield.
Training plants to grow through a screen or net can create an even canopy height. This method is prevalent among cannabis growers but can be used for various plants.
Scrog nets: Perks and pitfalls
Pros:
- Even plant height canopy: Using a cannabis scrog net helps you achieve an even plant height canopy, ensuring all the tops of your plant experience the same environmental conditions: Temperature, humidity, VPD, CO2, PPFD, PAR, etc.
- Enhanced light distribution: The net aids in even light distribution, allowing your cannabis plants to withstand intense light and grow healthier. Exposing all parts of the plant to equal light improves overall growth and bud development.
- Optimised airflow: A well-maintained cannabis growing scrog net setup promotes better air circulation around the plants. This reduces the risk of mould and mildew, helping to maintain a healthier growing environment.
- Maximising grow space: Whether you’re using growing tents or a grow room, a scrog net maximises your growing area, making the most of every inch. Scrogging is especially useful in height-restricted spaces, helping control plant height effectively.
- Support for natural growth: The net supports the natural growth of your plants, preventing them from bending or breaking under their own weight. You can use multiple nets to support the plant at different heights as it grows, even without tucking and bending side branches.
- Encouraging more bud sites: Topping your plant and using the scrog method can create more bud sites, leading to a larger harvest. This method enhances the plant’s overall productivity.
- Cost-effective and easy to use: Scrog nets are affordable and easy to implement, making them ideal for both grow tents and larger facilities. They can be made from simple materials like string or wire garden netting and are often easier to use than other training methods. Scrog netting also comes in various available sizes with different width holes to suit your tent size.
- Reduced chemical use: By supporting even plant growth and reducing plant stress, scrog nets can decrease the need for chemical interventions such as pesticides and growth regulators, leading to a more natural and environmentally friendly growing process.
- Increased flexibility when it comes to flowering: If you’re not careful about when to flip to flower, your plants run the risk of getting too big for your grow tent. Using a scrog net gives you more flexibility, as you can bend the plant down and away from the light.
Cons:
- Maintenance: Maintaining a scrog net setup can be time-consuming. Adjustments are often needed to keep the net effective, which can be a hassle for busy growers.
- Setup time: The initial setup requires effort and time, especially for beginners. Proper installation is crucial to avoid plant height issues and ensure effective scrogging.
- Humidity issues: Scrog nets can sometimes contribute to high humidity levels, which might negatively affect your plants. Monitoring humidity with a grow room sensor is essential to prevent mould and other issues.
- Plant height issues: If not set up correctly, a scrog net can lead to uneven plant height and growth problems, defeating its purpose.
- Limited use for smaller growers: If you’re not topping plants and are a smaller-scale grower, you might have just one main stem and not need a net. For small setups, scrog nets might be unnecessary.
- Physical barrier: In small tents containing 4-6 plants, scrog nets can get in the way. Reaching plants at the back becomes challenging as the net acts as a physical barrier.
- Permanent setup: Once a scrog net is in place, that’s it. You can't easily move your plants or adjust the setup without disrupting the net.
- Harvesting challenges: When the grow is finished, removing the plant from the net can be hard if you want to extricate and hang the whole plant. You often need to cut and hang separate branches to dry, risking bud damage and wasting the net if you have to cut it.
- Environmental impact: Some nets are made of plastic, becoming waste products when you’re done. This is not environmentally friendly and adds to the disposal burden.
How to use a scrog net
- Setup: Use hooks to install the scrog net frame on the vertical tubes or poles in your grow tent or grow room. Ensure it’s at the right height and sturdy enough to support your plants.
- Training: As your plants and branches grow, gently weave them through the net holes. This will enable you to train your plants to grow horizontally, creating an even canopy.
- Adjusting: Monitor the growth and adjust the net as needed to maintain an even plant height canopy.
- Timing: It's crucial to know when to add a scrog net. For optimal results, it’s best to set it up early in the vegetative stage.
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Types of scrog nets
- Best materials: Scrog nets made from solid elastic fibre are durable and practical.
- Adjustable vs fixed: Adjustable scrog nets offer flexibility, while fixed nets provide a stable structure.
- Sizes: Netting size can vary greatly catering to different growing needs.
DIY and commercial options
- DIY scrog net: If you’re handy, creating a homemade scrog net can be cost-effective. Use materials like PVC pipes and garden netting.
- Commercial options: For convenience, consider buying a scrog net. Brands like Kaizen offer high-quality, adjustable scrog nets.
- Where to buy: You can buy scrog nets from gardening stores or online retailers. Look for reviews to find the best scrog net for your needs.
Special considerations
- Indoor vs outdoor: While scrog nets are great for indoor growing, they can also be used for outdoor cannabis. Ensure you choose a net suitable for your environment.
- Humidity and plant height: Monitor humidity levels and plant height regularly to prevent issues.
- Perfect addition: Scrog nets are ideal for your growing setup, helping you maximise your harvest whilst minimising work.
Takeaways
Scrog nets offer numerous benefits. They can significantly improve your growing results by promoting uniform growth and maximising light efficiency in your growing tent. However, they do require maintenance and proper setup.
Ultimately, choosing to use a scrog net comes down to your growing style. If you prefer to grow as few plants as possible, a scrog net allows you to cultivate one large, flat plant, resulting in high-quality yields.
On the other hand, if you grow many smaller plants and height isn’t an issue, basic canes for support might suffice.
Experiment with both methods to see which works best for your growing tent setup and goals. Finding the right approach can optimise your growing conditions and achieve excellent results.
Happy growing!
FAQs
What is a ScrOG net for?
A ScrOG net, or Screen of Green, optimises plant growth by creating an even canopy height.
This technique involves training plants to grow horizontally through a mesh or netting. The main goal is to maximise light distribution across all parts of the plant, ensuring each section receives equal light exposure.
This method is popular among cannabis growers but can be applied to various types of plants. Using a ScrOG net can enhance your plant yield, improve overall health, and efficiently use your growing space.
What is the best height for a ScrOG net?
The best height for a ScrOG net typically ranges from 20 to 25 inches (50 to 63 cm) above the base of your plants.
This height allows enough space for plants to grow and spread horizontally through the netting. Adjust the height based on your plant type and growth stage.
Setting the net at this height ensures optimal light distribution and support for developing buds, helping to maximise yield and maintain an even plant-height canopy.
For indoor growing, especially in grow tents, this height provides a balance between plant growth and available space.
How much does a ScrOG grow yield?
A ScrOG (Screen of Green) grow can significantly boost your yield compared to traditional growing methods.
On average, you can expect to yield 1 to 2 grams of cannabis per watt of light. For instance, a 600-watt light setup could produce between 600 to 1200 grams of cannabis.
However, actual yields depend on various factors, including plant strain, growing conditions, and your level of experience.
By maximising light exposure and promoting even canopy growth, ScrOG nets help you achieve higher and more consistent yields from your plants.
How does ScrOG technique work?
The ScrOG (Screen of Green) technique trains plants to grow horizontally through mesh or netting.
You place the ScrOG net above your plants and gently weave the branches through the net as they grow.
This process creates an even plant-height canopy, ensuring all parts of the plant receive equal light exposure.
By spreading out the plant growth, you maximise light distribution and encourage the development of more bud sites.
This method boosts yields and improves the overall health and structure of your plants, making it an efficient and effective growing technique.
When should I start ScrOG netting?
You should start ScrOGging early in the vegetative stage when your plants are about 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) tall.
At this point, the plants are still flexible and can be easily trained through the netting. Position the ScrOG net 20-25 inches (50-63 cm) above the plant base and begin weaving the branches through the net as they grow.
Starting early ensures that the plants develop an even canopy and maximise light exposure, leading to healthier growth and higher yields.
Regularly adjust and train the plants to maintain an even height and optimise light distribution.
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