SOG Vs. SCROG: Which one is best for Cannabis Grow?
As we previously discussed, Sea of Green (SOG) and Screen of Green (SCROG) are highly dependable on cannabis genetics. The two techniques are actually quite the opposite of each other.
Although the resemblance for both techniques is different, their purpose is utterly the same.
But the question comes to light: which technique is suitable for your conditions?
That’s the part where most of the growers fall into confusion.
When it comes to indoor growing, techniques like SOG and SCROG play an essential role in harvesting more yield. That’s why you should look at both of them.
This article outlines the critical differences between SOG and SCROG to understand which one is best for cannabis growing. In-depth, we’ve answered some of the questions that the growers frequently ask.
What is Screen of Green (SCROG)?
Before going into further depth, you should know the Screen of Green (SCROG) and how it increases the cultivation?
So, what does Screen of Green mean?
SCROG is generally an indoor growing technique used to maximize the productivity of cannabis. SCROG is one of the low-cost methods and reduces energy usage and waste.
The Screen of Green is an entirely different technique compared to Sea of Green, which involves using metal frames or plastic screens that plants use to spills upwards. Usually, the cannabis plants grow taller than to spread wide.
The idea of using SCROG is to spread evenly wider on the screen to generate more yield.
The SCROG technique aims to bring down the lower branches up and upper branches down by stretching them across to make them evenly distributed. The growers simply place the screen/frame above the growing medium and put things together through the mesh.
By transferring the branches of the plant across the screen, you’ll generate a parallel canopy.
Low-stress training (LST) can also be assisted in maintaining the flat canopy by using garden cords or plastic ties to embed the branches to the screen.
In combination with SCROG, High-stress training (HST) can also be used for topping, fimming, and super cropping your plants.
Sea of Green Vs. Screen of Green: What’s the difference?
Due to the similarity in their sentences, the Sea of Green and Screen of Green are highly relatable; their growing methods are entirely different.
Growers often find it confusing at times. To be honest, the differences between SOG and SCROG are straight as an arrow. If you are still struggling to understand the differences, this section belongs to you.
Both SOG and SCROG are different training techniques, but the purpose of using them is quite the same. As far you’re planning to target the maximum yield, both techniques work wonders.
Here’s a clear difference:
SOG technique uses an excessive amount of plants per meter square, whereas the SCROG technique favors the least amount of plants.
Using the SOG technique to cover the surface with many plants would expect higher yield/production.
But that doesn’t mean SOG is the only technique to generate a higher yield.
Either you use Sea of Green or Screen of Green, you would look for the same results. But yes, the vegetative time or harvesting time may vary according to the situation.
Here’s the quick answer!
No matter which technique you are using, you will get the maximum results in both cases. The difference will be which works better in a particular environment, or in other words, which technique suits our needs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of SOG/SCROG
For now, we’ve seen what exactly the SCROG is and how it is different from SOG technique.
Although both methods are pretty similar in regards to producing higher yields, they have some advantages and disadvantages that are different from each other.
Advantages of Sea of Green (SOG)
Few advantages of Sea of Green are as follows:
● Since the SOG method follows many small plants, its vegetative time is shorter than others.
● Transferring or moving the plants from one place to other is more manageable.
● Since its vegetative time is more straightforward, it means we’ll have a quick harvest.
● SOG method uses small-sized plants that consume less amount of light, which means less light consumption.
● If any plant got affected during its growing cycle, you should expect better yields.
● Although you can use other cannabis strains, SOG method is suitable with Indica strains.
● Best for commercial growers as its growing cycle is faster than the Screen of Green (SCROG).
Disadvantages of Sea of Green (SOG)
Any good thing that comes with solid points comes with drawbacks also. So, if you’re planning to apply SOG method, here are some disadvantages of the Sea of Green that you would encounter:
● If you’re planning to use different strains within SOG method, it would be a bad idea. It’ll be challenging to grow and manage different strains altogether.
● Due to the quantitative needs of plants, you must have a higher budget to spend on the seeds.
● It also gets complicated to access those plants that are further placed.
● You cannot control the height of every single plant inside the container; there are so many plants to deal with.
● And there is one more extensive problem you may encounter: Increasing the number of plants can cause legal issues.
● Watering and taking care of so many plants can take more time than usual.
Advantages of Screen of Green (SCROG)
Yes, SCROG is a different technique in respect of SOG. So, it may come with its own advantages and drawbacks.
Here are some advantages of Screen of Green (SCROG):
● Since the least requirement of the plants, cost spending on seeds is lesser than SOG.
● Well, it’s much easier to take care of few plants.
● With the limited number of plants, time on watering and taking care of plants is less.
● It’s easier to manage the plant’s height.
● The screen on the top of the plants provides a more uniform canopy.
Disadvantages of Screen of Green (SCROG)
Few disadvantages of SCROG are listed below:
● If any plant got affected during its life cycle, the production would decrease significantly.
● Once you placed the screen above the plants, it will be challenging to move the plant due to the net.
● This technique may take a longer time on the vegetative phase.
● Due to the significant height of the plant, it’s difficult to spray the plant to the bottom.
● This technique may consume a lot of light energy.
Well, these were some advantages and disadvantages of Sea of Green (SOG) and Screen of Green (SCROG). Now, move to our exciting and most important topic of choosing the best strain for your technique.
Which Strains are Best for SOG/SCROG?
Well, it’s years of debate which strains are best for SOG and SCROG techniques?
You are questioning yourself: Do cannabis genetics matter for these techniques? Your question is valid in all regards.
Cannabis genetics plays an important role in Sea of Green (SOG) and Screen of Green (SCROG). Perhaps these techniques only rely on genetics.
In general, Indica or Indica authority hybrid strains are suited to SOG. On the other hand, Sativa or any Sativa authority hybrid strains are best for the SCROG technique.
However, the plant’s growth and structure define which particular strain is perfect for SOG/SCROG.
It’s not always that you need to stick only with Indica and Sativa for these methods. There are other requirements and personal situations that usually come first while choosing the right strain.
SCROG Vs. SOG: Which is best?
This is another question that growers frequently ask from time to time. We already answered this question above in the article. In case you missed it or didn’t understand it, we are here to get things clear.
SCROG Vs. SOG both are advanced and straightforward growing techniques to enhance the productivity of cannabis cultivation. The idea of using these techniques is quite the same (maximize yield).
For some growers, SOG technique works better according to their requirements and situation. The same goes for the SCROG users.
So, it’s a bit harsh if you consider one superior to the other.
If you’re a first-timer, we would never recommend you to use any of these techniques. These techniques require more experience to generate good results.
A single mistake can cost you to lose your determination and faith in growing.
So, it’s better to grasp the basics of cannabis cultivation first; then, you’ll find SOG and SCROG more straightforward to deal with.
Lastly, it is hard to mention which particular technique is best for you as both are well-founded. In fact, we have already mentioned different possibilities, so each grower decides which technique is best for their conditions.
SOG and SCROG FAQ
We already witnessed some valid questions asked by the growers, and we will try to provide them legit information as much as possible.
Here are few other questions that growers ask while growing with SOG and SCROG techniques:
● Do SOGs require more plants?
Yes, the purpose of SOG method is to grow as many plants that can fit your surface. But you have to be very careful with the limitation of cannabis cultivation.
An excessive amount of cannabis plants may cause legal issues.
● Are cannabis seeds the best choice for SCROG and SOG grows?
If you are a commercial grower, growing with seeds would not be the best option for you. Growing with seeds will take more time to harvest as compared to cloning it.
Or, if you have time and want to obtain a fruitful yield, seeds of a particular cannabis strain are the best choice for SCROG and SOG.
● Are SOGs work more than SCROGs?
To some extent, you can say that, but not exclusively. If you are targeting faster production on the commercial level, then SOG works perfectly than SCROG.
● SCROG vs. SOG: Which technique is better for autoflowers?
Autoflowers can be tricky if it is not done correctly. Well, it is possible to perform autoflowers on SCROG, but we would not recommend you do that.
Many autoflowers don’t grow as much photoperiodic cannabis, and it can be challenging to trim. In this case, SOG would be a better option for autoflowers.
