SCROG net cannabis training means weaving growing shoots horizontally under a screen so the plant forms one flat, even canopy instead of a tall central cola. The net spreads growth hormones and light across dozens of bud sites at the same height, which raises usable yield per square foot. Most growers fill 70 to 80 percent of the screen, then switch the lights to 12/12 to flower.
scrog net cannabis training
How does a SCROG net work on a cannabis plant?
A cannabis plant normally grows one dominant top that captures most of the light. When you bend that top under a screen, the plant redirects energy to the lower and side shoots that were previously shaded. Those shoots rise to the net, get tucked in turn, and each one becomes its own top.
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The result is a level canopy where every bud site sits in the same light zone. Nothing is buried under leaves, and nothing stretches above the rest.
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What size net and mesh spacing should you use?
Match the screen to your grow space and your plant count, then keep it tight enough to hold branches but wide enough to reach through.
- Mesh spacing: 3.5 to 4 inches (about 9 to 10 cm) is the common range for photoperiod plants. Tighter mesh gives more control but makes tucking harder.
- Height: Place the first net 8 to 12 inches above the pot rim, then add a second net 8 to 10 inches higher once stretch begins.
- Coverage: The net should span the whole footprint of the light so no corner of the tent goes unused.
- Material: Soft braided cord or coated wire protects stems better than thin bare string.
How do you set up and use a SCROG net step by step?
- Top or fim the plant once it has 4 to 5 nodes so it splits into multiple main shoots.
- Mount the frame so it stays level and can carry weight without sagging.
- Tuck each shoot under the net and slide it outward toward an empty square as it grows.
- Repeat every two or three days during veg, always moving growth toward the gaps.
- Stop tucking when the screen is roughly three quarters full.
- Flip to 12/12 and keep tucking through the stretch period, usually the first two weeks of flower.
When should you switch to flowering in a SCROG?
Flip when the canopy covers about 70 to 80 percent of the screen. Plants stretch for the first two weeks of flower and will fill the remaining squares on their own. If you wait until the net is completely full, the stretch pushes growth into the light and creates crowding.
Does SCROG training actually increase yield?
SCROG does not change genetics, but it changes how much of your light the plant captures. A flat canopy puts more bud sites at the same distance from the lamp, so fewer sites are wasted in shadow. The gain is largest in small tents where vertical space and floor area are both limited.
What are the most common SCROG mistakes?
- Tucking branches too roughly and snapping stems instead of bending them gradually.
- Letting the middle of the screen fill while the edges stay empty.
- Running too many plants for the space, which turns the canopy into a solid block.
- Leaving large fan leaves that shade the squares below them.
- Starting SCROG too late, once stems have hardened and lost flexibility.
Can you SCROG autoflowering cannabis?
You can, but the window is short. Autoflowers start flowering on their own schedule, so use a low net at 6 to 8 inches and tuck gently from week two. Heavy bending during early flower can stall a small auto.
Do you need to defoliate under a SCROG net?
Light defoliation helps air move through a dense canopy and exposes lower squares to light. Remove leaves that lie flat over bud sites, and leave the rest to do their job. Strip too much at once and the plant slows down while it rebuilds.
How do you support buds in late flower?
Add a second net 8 to 10 inches above the first before buds put on weight. Branches lean on the upper net instead of folding over when the flowers swell. This keeps airflow open and lowers the risk of mold in the final weeks.