What does scrog netting do for weed plants?
SCROG netting spreads cannabis branches into a flat, even canopy so light hits every bud site instead of one tall main cola. The net trains growth sideways during veg and holds each top at the same height under the lamp. SCROG stands for Screen of Green, and the net is the screen.
cannabis scrog setup step by step
Untrained plants pour energy into a single cola. Screened plants split that energy across 10 to 20 tops. Those tops sit at equal distance from the light, so they fill out at the same rate.
What mesh size works for weed scrog nets?
Mesh size options
- 4 inch squares: the standard for tents and small rooms. Wide enough for your hand, tight enough to support stems.
- 3 inch squares: good for compact plants and low-stretch strains.
- 6 inch squares: fine in large rooms, but heavy branches bow between the lines.
Net material
Material matters as much as mesh size. Nylon string and cotton twine are soft on stems and cheap to replace. Rigid trellis panels with a PVC or steel frame keep their shape when plants push up, and they lift off at harvest.
Cannabis SCROG Training Mistakes: 6 Errors That Cut Yield
Skip metal wire with sharp edges. Stems rub against it during training and can open wounds that invite mold.
When do you install the first scrog net?
Set the first net 8 to 12 inches above the top of the medium, before the plants reach it. Put it in place while plants are 6 to 10 inches tall so you can tuck new growth from day one.
Fill the screen to about 70 or 80 percent during veg, then flip to 12/12. Stretch adds another 50 to 100 percent of plant height in the first two to three weeks of flower, and that stretch fills the rest of the squares.
How high should a second net go?
Add a second net 8 to 10 inches above the first when stretch begins. Two layers stop late-flower colas from flopping onto each other. A single net works in small tents and with indica-leaning plants that stay short.
How do you train plants through the net?
- Top the plant above node 4 or 5 to create two leading shoots.
- Let each shoot grow 4 to 6 inches past the net.
- Tuck the shoot under the next square and slide it toward open space.
- Keep the canopy level. Raise low branches and lower high ones.
- Repeat every two or three days during stretch.
Weave stems, do not force them. If a branch resists, wait a day and try again. Pinching and rolling a stiff stem between your fingers (supercropping) softens it enough to bend.
How many plants belong under one net?
Coverage beats plant count. One plant in a 4x4 tent fills a 3x3 screen in six to eight weeks of veg when you train it wide. Four plants reach the same coverage in half the time, but they crowd the net and block airflow near the base. Follow your local plant limit and pick the number that fits your veg time.
Do you defoliate under a scrog net?
Strip leaves and small shoots below the net around week 3 of flower. Those sites get no light and pull sugar from the tops. Above the net, remove fan leaves that cover bud sites, but leave enough foliage for photosynthesis. Air moving through the canopy keeps humidity down and cuts mold risk.
Common scrog mistakes
- Hanging the net too high, so plants pass it before training starts.
- Leaving gaps in the canopy. Empty squares waste light.
- Skipping the second net. Heavy colas fold in week seven.
- Vegging too long. An overfilled screen traps humid air and raises bud rot risk.
- No harvest plan. String nets get cut, framed nets lift off.
Can you reuse scrog netting?
Nylon and polyester nets last several runs. Wash them in warm water with mild soap, rinse, and dry them before storage. Cotton twine and hemp string break down, so cut them off and replace them each cycle. Wipe frames with isopropyl alcohol between crops to stop powdery mildew from carrying over.
Does scrog netting boost yield?
The net itself adds no light or nutrients. It changes plant shape, and shape decides how much of your lamp's output reaches buds. A level canopy can raise usable yield because lower buds develop instead of staying larf. Light wattage, genetics, and veg time still set the ceiling.
Can you scrog autoflowers?
Yes, with low stress. Autoflowers start flowering on a fixed clock, so you have two to four weeks to fill the screen. Use one net, tuck stems as new growth appears, and skip heavy defoliation. A stressed auto loses veg time it cannot get back.
Scrog netting versus other low-stress training
LST with ties and stakes works for a few branches. A net scales that idea to a whole canopy. Mainlining builds an even structure but adds weeks of veg. Sea of Green (SOG) uses many small plants and no net at all. Pick the method that matches your plant limit and veg space.
Quick setup checklist
- Net height: 8 to 12 inches above the medium for the first layer.
- Second layer: 8 to 10 inches higher, added at stretch.
- Mesh: 4 inch squares for most setups.
- Fill: 70 to 80 percent of the screen before the flip.
- Training: tuck every two or three days.