SOG vs. ScrOG: Which technique suits your cannabis cultivation?

SOG vs. ScrOG: Which technique suits your cannabis cultivation?

When growing cannabis indoors, there are many techniques aimed at maximizing yield, controlling plant growth, and making the most of limited space and light. Two of the most popular methods are Sea of ​​Green (SOG) and Screen of Green (ScrOG). Both techniques have their advantages and disadvantages, and choosing between them depends on your individual needs, grow space, and goals. In this article, we'll compare SOG and ScrOG in detail to help you find the right method for your grow.

What is SOG (Sea of ​​Green)?

Sea of ​​Green, or SOG for short, is a growing method that involves planting many small cannabis plants close together to create an even "green blanket" of flowers. This technique aims to maximize yield by growing many smaller plants in a small space. SOG is particularly popular with growers with limited space as it reduces the time between starting the grow and harvesting.

How does SOG work?

The idea behind SOG is to transition into the flowering phase as quickly as possible. Typically, the growth phase (also called the vegetative phase) is kept as short as possible - often only two to three weeks. Then the plants are transitioned into the flowering phase by setting the light to 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

Advantages of SOG:

• Short growth phase: Since the plants quickly enter the flowering phase, the total growing time is shorter than with other techniques.
• Maximum use of space: Due to the high plant density, SOG is perfect for small grow rooms.
• Uniform harvest: Because the plants grow evenly, the harvest is more consistent and easier to plan.
• Higher number of plants per area: More plants mean potentially higher yields, as each plant forms one main inflorescence.

Disadvantages of SOG:

• More work: Since there are many plants in a small space, caring for the plants – such as watering and checking for diseases – is more labor-intensive.
• More plants, more risk: More plants also mean that pests or diseases can spread faster.
• More seeds or clones needed: For SOG, you need either a lot of seeds or clones, which can incur additional costs.

What is ScrOG (Screen of Green)?

Unlike SOG, which uses many small plants, ScrOG (Screen of Green) is a technique where fewer but larger plants are trained through a net or trellis. The goal of ScrOG is to better distribute light to all parts of the plant and thus maximize yield by growing plants horizontally rather than vertically.

How does ScrOG work?

ScrOG involves stretching a net (often simply a coarse mesh plastic net) about 20-30cm above the plants. As the plants grow, their shoots are passed through the mesh of the net to spread them horizontally. This allows more buds to receive direct light, maximizing photosynthesis and leading to higher yields.

Advantages of ScrOG:

• Maximum light output: By training the plants through the net, the light is distributed more evenly, improving growth and flower production.
• Fewer plants needed: Compared to SOG, you need fewer plants with ScrOG because each plant takes up more space and grows wider.
• Higher yields per plant: Because the light is better distributed, each plant can produce more flowers.
• Longer growth period: Plants have more time to develop, which can lead to stronger plants and better results.

Disadvantages of ScrOG:

• Longer growing time: ScrOG requires a longer growing period to fill the net and train the plants horizontally.
• More care needed: Since you have to train the plants through the net, ScrOG requires regular care and attention.
• More complicated harvesting: The net makes harvesting more difficult because you have to cut the plants through the grid.

SOG vs. ScrOG: The direct comparison

1. Income:

SOG: With SOG, the yield is concentrated on many small plants with one main flower cluster per plant. The advantage here is that you can harvest a large amount of flowers in a short period of time by growing many plants in a small space.

ScrOG: With ScrOG, the yield is concentrated on fewer plants, but with more flowers per plant because the plants have more space and time to develop.

2. Time required:

SOG: The biggest advantage of SOG is the shorter growing time. Since the plants enter the flowering phase quickly, you can harvest more often.

ScrOG: ScrOG requires more time because the plants need to stay in the vegetative phase longer to fill the net.

3. Space requirement:

SOG: SOG is ideal for small spaces because the plants are close together and you make optimal use of the vertical space.

ScrOG: ScrOG requires more horizontal space as the plants grow wider, so it is more suitable for larger rooms or tents.

4. Care requirements:

SOG: Because SOG involves growing many small plants in a small space, maintenance can be a bit time-consuming, especially watering and monitoring for pests.

ScrOG: ScrOG requires more maintenance during growth because you have to train the plants through the mesh. However, maintenance is reduced because you have fewer plants.

When should you choose SOG or ScrOG?

• SOG is better if: You have a small grow space, want faster harvests, and want to grow more plants in less time.
• ScrOG is better suited if: You have more space available, are willing to invest more time in training the plants and prefer larger plants with more flowers per plant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which method is right for you?

Both SOG and ScrOG are proven methods to maximize the yield of your indoor cannabis grow. If you have limited space and want to see results quickly, SOG is probably the better choice. However, if you have more time and space and want to get the maximum yield per plant, ScrOG could be the right method for you. In the end, the decision depends on your individual needs and goals - both methods offer great opportunities for growing high-quality cannabis flowers.